Louvre's 'New Renaissance' Project Aims to Transform Visitor Experience by 2031

In January 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced the "Louvre New Renaissance" project, a comprehensive renovation and expansion of the Louvre Museum in Paris. This ambitious initiative aims to modernize the museum's infrastructure, alleviate overcrowding, and enhance the visitor experience.

The project includes constructing a new entrance on the museum's eastern façade, the Perrault Colonnade, to alleviate congestion at the current main entrance beneath the glass pyramid. This entrance is scheduled to open by 2031. Additionally, Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa" will be relocated to a dedicated underground gallery beneath the Cour Carrée, aiming to reduce overcrowding and provide a more contemplative viewing experience. The renovation will also address structural issues such as water leaks and outdated air-conditioning systems, which currently threaten the preservation of artworks.

The project is estimated to cost between €700 and €800 million. Funding will come from the museum's own resources, including ticket sales, sponsorships, and earnings from its Abu Dhabi branch. Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, ticket prices for non-EU visitors will increase to generate additional revenue.

An international competition was launched in June 2025 to design the new entrance and Mona Lisa gallery. Five finalists will be announced in October 2025, with the winner selected in early 2026. The entire project is slated for completion by 2031.

The Louvre currently hosts approximately 9 million visitors annually, significantly exceeding the 4 million it was designed for after its last modernization in the 1980s. The renovation aims to increase capacity to 12 million visitors per year. The museum faces issues such as overcrowding, inadequate visitor facilities, and structural problems like leaks and temperature fluctuations. These challenges have prompted calls for urgent renovations to preserve the museum's extensive art collection and improve the visitor experience.

President Macron emphasized the project's significance, stating, "While Notre Dame was the architectural catalyst of our craftsmanship, this project for the Louvre must be for art, art history and its transmission a new step in the life of the nation." Louvre President Laurence des Cars highlighted the museum's current challenges, noting that a visit has become "a physical ordeal," with artwork hard to find in a confusing layout and too little space for visitors to sit or use the toilet.

The renovation underscores France's commitment to preserving and enhancing its cultural heritage, ensuring that the Louvre remains a leading global art institution. By increasing visitor capacity and improving facilities, the project is expected to boost tourism and generate additional revenue for the museum and the broader Parisian economy. The introduction of a new entrance and dedicated spaces aims to make the museum more accessible and provide a more comfortable experience for a diverse range of visitors.

The "Louvre New Renaissance" project represents a significant milestone in the museum's history, reflecting a proactive approach to evolving challenges and a dedication to maintaining its status as a premier global cultural institution.