Louvre Prepares for Major Renovation: "Mona Lisa" to Get Its Own Room

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the launch of an extensive renovation project for the Louvre, which is scheduled to extend until 2031. As part of the initiative, titled "The Louvre's New Renaissance," Leonardo da Vinci's iconic "Mona Lisa" will be moved to a dedicated space, marking a significant step in modernizing the most visited museum in the world, reports NewsBox.

The renovation plans include creating a new entrance near the Seine River and constructing underground facilities. These changes aim to bring the museum up to current standards and substantially improve the visitor experience, writes CNN.

The "Mona Lisa," currently displayed in the museum's largest hall, will be relocated to a specially designed gallery. Access to the painting will be controlled through separate tickets, easing tourist flow and providing a more comfortable environment for exploring other exhibits.

The last major renovation of the Louvre occurred in the 1980s with the construction of the famous glass pyramid, originally designed to accommodate up to 4 million visitors a year. Today, the museum faces overcrowding: in 2023, it was visited by 8.7 million people, over 75% of whom were international tourists, mainly from the USA, China, the UK, and other European countries.

According to Macron, the Louvre no longer meets international standards, making the renovation essential. The cost of the project has not been officially disclosed, but experts estimate it could reach 800 million euros (about 834 million dollars).

Currently, the "Mona Lisa" is safeguarded behind protective glass in a crowded hall, where tourists rush to take selfies with the painting. This congestion hampers access to other art pieces, including works by Titian and Veronese, which tend to remain overshadowed by the influx of visitors. The new gallery for the "Mona Lisa" is expected to address this issue, enhancing the accessibility of other collections.

The revamped Louvre promises a modernized visiting experience, focusing on convenience for all guests. In Macron's view, this project will be a pivotal development in preserving the museum's status as one of the premier cultural landmarks of the world.

Thus, "The Louvre's New Renaissance" aims to transform not only the museum's infrastructure but also the way millions of visitors engage with its art.