Louvre museum: new space for the Mona Lisa, modified access, extension … which must be remembered from Macron’s announcements

A new space dedicated to the Mona Lisa

The most awaited decision by the mass of visitors to the venerable institution, the fate of the most famous painting in the world. The Mona Lisa will be installed in a new space “accessible independently”, assured Emmanuel Macron The project “Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance” will first go through the creation of “a new entry at the level of the Colonnade de Perrault”, announced the head of state. This should make it possible to “rebalance the way of visiting the Louvre and reopening it to Parisians and Parisians”, he continued in a short but intense speech. “This project of new Renaissance for the Louvre must be for art, the history of art and its transmission a new stage in the life of the nation,” concluded the President of the Republic.

“Having to speak to you under the unspeakable gaze of the Mona Lisa is a privilege but pushes both humility,” said Emmanuel Macron, promising a “realistic and funded” project. The President of the Republic also recalled the “private place” occupied by the Louvre in the history of France.

A new entry

Another announcement that of the work of a new entrance to the Parisian museum. The “Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance” project will first go through the creation of “a new entry to the Colonnade de Perrault”, announced the head of state. This should make it possible to “rebalance the way of visiting the Louvre and reopening it to Parisians and Parisians”, he assured. Once renovated and thanks to new extensions, the Louvre museum will aim twelve million visitors per year, against around nine million in 2024, also said Emmanuel Macron when he speaks.

“The entire work of this new access will be funded by the museum’s own resources without weighing on the taxpayer,” said the president while the executive is still struggling to lead to a budget for the year 2025. The new entry And the creation of new spaces under the square courtyard of the Louvre, by 2031, should cost around 400 million euros. They will be funded by the money brought by the Louvre Abou Dhabi and calls for patronage, said the entourage of Emmanuel Macron after his speech. In addition, the work to deal with the obsolescence of the establishment and adapting it to attendance are estimated at around 300 to 400 million additional, over ten years.

A more expensive entry ticket for foreigners outside the EU from 2026

It may be the most controversial announcement. No more universal price for visitors. Emmanuel Macron called to establish a more expensive entry ticket for foreigners from countries outside the European Union, as did the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati. A decision which would have the motivation to partially finance the 400 million euros in work to upgrade the cultural establishment. “This project will be intended to apply to other museums or monuments” and will have to enter into force in “January 2026,” he said. A proposal that could be the subject of an earthquake in the world of culture.