Paris to Revamp Louvre Museum: Mona Lisa to Move to New Exhibition Space
In a bold move to revamp the Louvre Museum in Paris, the iconic Mona Lisa will be relocated to a new exhibition space by 2031. French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement in front of the masterpiece by Leonardo da Vinci, revealing plans to charge visitors separately to see the painting.
Macron’s initiative, known as the New Renaissance project, aims to address the museum’s overcrowding and failing infrastructure issues. As part of the plan, an international competition will be held to design a second entrance to alleviate the growing pressure of visitor numbers beneath the famous glass Pyramid.
Starting next January, tariff changes will be implemented, with non-EU residents, including UK tourists, facing increased admission fees. This decision comes in response to warnings from the Louvre’s director Laurence des Cars about the museum’s structural limitations and overcrowding challenges.
Des Cars highlighted concerns about the current presentation of the Mona Lisa, stating that changes are necessary to improve the viewing experience for visitors. Approximately three-quarters of the museum’s daily visitors flock to see the famous painting, often enduring crowded conditions and limited viewing time.
Under Macron’s ambitious project, the eastern facade of the Louvre will undergo a redesign, creating new underground exhibition spaces and a revamped entranceway. This significant renovation, the largest since President François Mitterrand’s Grand Louvre project 40 years ago, aims to integrate the museum into the city and enhance accessibility to other masterpieces.
With major renovation work planned to modernize infrastructure and improve visitor amenities, the project is estimated to cost several hundred million euros. Macron assured that the funding would not burden taxpayers, as it will be covered by ticket sales, donations, and the museum’s partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi.
Despite facing political challenges, Macron’s commitment to revitalizing cultural landmarks like Notre-Dame cathedral has fueled his passion for ambitious projects like the Louvre renovation. The move to enhance the museum’s facilities and showcase its treasures reflects a commitment to preserving France’s rich cultural heritage. – BBC
