The Louvre Museum in France will launch a large-scale renovation project lasting 10 to 15 years starting in 2026. The project will include setting up a dedicated exhibition room for “Mona Lisa,” adding a new entrance, renovating infrastructure, building an underground exhibition hall, and raising ticket prices.

To ease the pressure of visitor flow, the Louvre will launch a large-scale renovation plan starting in 2026. (Photo via MERXWIRE)

PARIS, FRANCE (MERXWIRE) – To improve the visiting flow, improve aging facilities, and alleviate crowd pressure, the Louvre Museum in France will launch a large-scale renovation plan lasting 10 to 15 years starting in 2026. This plan covers several key projects, including setting up a dedicated exhibition room for “The Mona Lisa,” adding a new entrance, renovating old facilities, and building an underground exhibition hall. It is expected to bring a new look to this world-class museum without interrupting operations.

The renovation plan came from a report submitted by the Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars. The report pointed out that the museum currently has problems such as water leakage, poor visitor movement, and insufficient rest space, which seriously affect the quality of the visit. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron officially announced his support for the renovation. It stressed that as a symbol of French culture, the Louvre should keep pace with the times and meet future challenges.

Mona Lisa to Get a Dedicated Exhibition Room
The Mona Lisa, which currently attracts more than 20,000 pilgrims daily, will have an independent exhibition room and sell tickets separately. This will allow visitors to appreciate this world-famous classic painting up close with better traffic flow and space planning.

New Entrance to Divert Crowds, Completion Set for 2031
To disperse the vast crowds at the existing glass pyramid entrance, the Louvre will set up a new entrance on the Seine Riverside and select the most creative and functional design team through an architectural design competition. It is expected to be completed and put into use in 2031 to improve visiting efficiency and experience quality.

Museum Infrastructure Undergoes Full Renovation
Many tourists reported that there were not enough toilets in the museum, a lack of rest space, and unclear signage. Some also complained that the museum was so crowded that the artworks could only be viewed through mobile phone screens. To address these issues, the renovation will comprehensively improve the museum’s infrastructure and enhance visitor comfort.

Underground Halls to Expand Exhibition Space and Improve Artifact Preservation
Due to problems such as water leakage and unstable temperature control in some exhibition areas, the renovation plan is expected to add more underground exhibition halls, strengthen the preservation conditions of cultural relics, expand the display space, and enhance the diversity and depth of the exhibition.

Ticket Prices for Non-EU Visitors to Increase Starting 2026
To raise funds for the renovation, the Louvre will increase the ticket price for non-EU visitors from January 1, 2026, and visitors to the Mona Lisa will need to purchase separate tickets in the future. The museum said that in addition to reflecting operational needs, this adjustment will also help divert the large influx of tourists and allow the museum to provide a higher-quality cultural experience.

Although some travelers lament that ticket prices will increase in the future and exhibitions will be more dispersed, many still plan to visit before the renovation officially begins to see as many art treasures in the museum as possible in one go. Some tourists from Taiwan also said that although the long queues and crowds made the exhibition a bit disappointing, they still look forward to visiting again in the future to witness the new look of the Louvre in person.

As one of the most visited museums in the world, the Louvre is a palace of art and a symbol of French history and culture. This century-long renovation project will undoubtedly inject new life into it, allowing this legendary building to continue leading audiences worldwide to explore the beauty of art for decades to come.

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