French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a significant renovation plan for the world-famous Louvre museum, aimed at addressing deteriorating conditions and improving visitor experience. The project, expected to be completed by 2031, includes a new grand entrance and broader refurbishments across the historic site.
The move comes after concerns from the museum’s director about the building’s condition, which was highlighted in a letter to the French Cultural Ministry. The issues included insufficient space for visitors, outdated signage, and climate control problems within the museum.
As part of the renovation, an international architecture competition will be launched to design the new entrance, with the goal of improving visitor access and reducing congestion. Reports indicate that the winner will be chosen by the end of the year.
The project is expected to cost approximately $400 million from the museum’s own revenue, including contributions from its Abu Dhabi branch and international donations. Ticket prices for non-EU visitors are set to increase beginning in January 2026 to help support the project.
Source: https://www.archdaily.com/1026320/louvre-to-undergo-major-renovation-including-new-entrance-and-mona-lisa-relocation