Macron announced the Louvre's renovation: the "Mona Lisa" will be relocated.

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has announced a major renovation of the Louvre as part of the "New Renaissance" project. The famous museum will receive a new entrance, updated infrastructure, and a dedicated room for its most famous exhibit - the painting "Mona Lisa".

This information was reported by BBC, as noted by UNN.

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According to media reports, France has unveiled plans for an extensive renovation of the Louvre, which ranks as the most visited museum in the world.

During the renovation, the Louvre's most famous exhibit - Leonardo da Vinci's painting "Mona Lisa" - will "move" to a new space where visitors can view the artwork separately from the rest of the museum's collection, for an additional fee. Emmanuel Macron announced these grand plans for the museum's reconstruction.

Additionally, the museum plans to create a second entrance for tourists to help alleviate congestion at the main entrance, which is through the iconic glass pyramid in front of the palace. The concept for the new entrance will be developed following a specially conducted international architectural competition.

According to Macron, all work is expected to last about five years, and the updated Louvre will open its doors to visitors no later than 2031.

The ticket prices for tourists from outside the European Union, including British visitors, will also increase. The price change is expected to take effect from January 2026.

The "New Renaissance" project is a response to complaints from the Louvre's director, Laurence des Cars, regarding serious issues facing the museum, primarily overcrowding amid deteriorating infrastructure. Approximately 30,000 people visit daily just to see the "Mona Lisa," with the average viewing time due to the crowd being only 50 seconds.

The new entrance will provide access to new underground exhibition spaces located beneath the inner courtyard of the Cour Carrée palace, which will, in turn, be connected to the main area, the entrance to which is situated under the pyramid.

As Macron explained, the facade reconstruction will be the most significant change to the museum's exterior in the last 40 years, since François Mitterrand's "Grand Louvre" project. The palace esplanade is set to be planted with trees, effectively transforming it into a park, which aligns perfectly with the city hall's plans for greening the central part of the French capital.

The relocation of the "Mona Lisa" will allow for a proper display of the painting while also making it easier for visitors to view other masterpieces in the museum's collection, which, according to Macron, are often overlooked.

The internal infrastructure of the Louvre will also undergo significant upgrades and expansions over the next few years. Plans include modernizing old facilities and constructing new restrooms, restaurants, and relaxation areas.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be several hundred million euros.

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