Louvre's Mona Lisa to Get New Home in Major Museum Overhaul

The Louvre Museum in Paris will relocate the Mona Lisa as part of a major renovation initiative announced by President Emmanuel Macron, aimed at addressing overcrowding and enhancing visitor experience.

The iconic Mona Lisa is set to be moved to a new exhibition area within the Louvre Museum, part of an expansive renovation project that President Emmanuel Macron publicly announced. The ambitious plan, dubbed the New Renaissance, is expected to be completed by 2031. As part of this initiative, visitors will be required to pay an additional fee to view the beloved work by Leonardo da Vinci.

During the announcement, attended by a host of dignitaries, Macron addressed significant overcrowding and infrastructural issues at the world's most visited museum. He explained that the Louvre currently sees around 30,000 visitors daily, with the famous painting attracting roughly three-quarters of that foot traffic. This influx leads to daunting challenges, including a mere 50 seconds on average for viewers to enjoy the painting in the crowded Salle des Etats.

Louvre director Laurence des Cars underscored these challenges in a recent letter to the government, asserting that the current setup was "structurally unable" to accommodate visitor numbers exceeding nine million annually. She criticized the inadequate experience visitors have when trying to comprehend the artistry of the Mona Lisa, emphasizing that the museum's mission is compromised by such overcrowding.

As part of the proposed changes, the eastern facade of the museum will be reimagined to include a new entrance, further easing visitor flow. This new access point will connect to underground exhibition areas and ultimately connect back to the main entrance beneath the iconic glass pyramid. The redesign aims to create a more welcoming environment for Parisians, reflecting the city’s desire for a greener urban space.

Macron assured that the entire renovation project would not burden taxpayers, with funding sourced through ticket sales, donations, and the Louvre's partnership with the Louvre Abu Dhabi. As the president seeks to cement his legacy after recent political setbacks, he envisions this project as a way to rejuvenate not only the museum but also the cultural landscape of Paris.