French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled "Nouvelle Renaissance", a large-scale renovation project for the Musée du Louvre aimed at addressing overcrowding, improving visitor experience, and enhancing sustainability. The project includes redesigning the museum's entrance and relocating Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa to an independent gallery.
Photo: Dreamstime.
The IM Pei-designed Pyramid, the Louvre's current main entrance, has struggled to accommodate the museum's nearly nine million annual visitors. To alleviate congestion, an international architecture competition will be launched to transform the historic 17th-century Perrault Colonnade into a new entrance while maintaining its classical grandeur. The redesign will also introduce an underground east-west axis beneath the Cour Carrée to streamline circulation.
As part of the project, the Mona Lisa will be moved to a dedicated gallery with timed entry, helping to control the continuous flow of visitors. Additionally, the Carrousel and Tuileries gardens will be redeveloped as climate-resilient green spaces.
Macron described the project as a "rebirth" that honours the museum's 230-year legacy while adapting to modern needs. Funded by museum revenues, the renovation is set to unfold over six years, with completion expected by 2031.
Source: www.archiportale.com