The Louvre Museum in Paris is preparing for a significant transformation as part of President Emmanuel Macron's ambitious "New Renaissance" project. A central feature of this revamp will be the relocation of the Mona Lisa, one of the world's most famous paintings, to a new exhibition space by 2031. This move is designed to address the growing issue of overcrowding, with visitors being charged an additional fee to view the masterpiece.

Macron, making the announcement in front of the painting, emphasized the pressing need to modernize the museum to improve the visitor experience. The Louvre currently attracts over nine million visitors annually, leading to concerns over its ability to accommodate the sheer volume of foot traffic. The museum's iconic glass pyramid entrance, which has served as the primary access point since 1989, will be redesigned to ease congestion. A new entrance will provide direct access to underground exhibition spaces located beneath the Cour Carré, linking to the area under the pyramid.

Macron described the renov enhance the museum’s integration with the city of Paris. A new green zone will surround the museum, creating a more open and welcoming space for visitors.

In addition to these structural changes, the Louvre will undergo extensive upgrades to its infrastructure, including modernized restrooms, restaurants, and other visitor amenities. The overall cost of the renovation is estimated to reach several hundred million euros, though the project will be funded through ticket sales, donations, and a sponsorship deal with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, with no taxpayer money involved.

Macron's "New Renaissance" project aims to preserve the Louvre's status as one of the world’s foremost cultural institutions, offering a more enjoyable and accessible experience for its millions of visitors while ensuring that iconic works like the Mona Lisa are displayed in a fitting manner