New hall for the Mona Lisa: Louvre modernized by 2031!

New hall for the Mona Lisa: Louvre modernized by 2031!

The Louvre in Paris, the world's most visited museum, is set for a major makeover designed to both better manage the flow of visitors and improve the presentation of one of the world's most iconic works of art. France's Culture Minister Rachida Dati has announced an international architectural competition to plan the necessary renovation measures. This initiative includes, among other things, the construction of a new entrance and a dedicated hall for the iconic “Mona Lisa”. The museum management has repeatedly pointed out the dilapidated condition of the facility, including outdated technical systems and inadequate climatic conditions that could endanger the work of art. The current entrance under the famous glass pyramid, originally designed to accommodate four million visitors, has now been overwhelmed by nearly nine million visitors last year.

These modernization plans, which are to be implemented by 2031, require several million euros in investments. Financing is ensured through a combination of our own income, donations and an increase in admission prices. From January 2026, visitors from non-EU countries will have to expect higher ticket prices. There is also an additional charge for access to the “Mona Lisa”. In addition, these measures are expected to increase the number of annual visitors from nine million to up to twelve million.

New perspectives for the “Mona Lisa”

The dedicated hall for the “Mona Lisa” is a central element in the renovation plans and was already highlighted in an announcement by President Emmanuel Macron. The aim is to better present the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci in an appropriate setting. The redesign of the entrance area is specifically aimed at the new use of the adjacent halls. The Louvre would like to meet the constantly changing requirements of a modern museum.

Another aspect of the renovation plans is the improvement of the museum's technical infrastructure. Among other things, damage caused by water infiltration should be repaired and the climatic conditions for the works of art should be optimized. These measures are urgently needed to ensure the long-term quality of the visitor experience and to protect the historical value of the exhibits. The previous deficiencies, such as temperature fluctuations and other infrastructural problems, have been an issue with the museum management for years.

With this comprehensive modernization, those responsible at the Louvre are adapting the famous institution to the challenges of the future and are thus sending a clear signal for art and culture in times of change.

Further details about the renovation plans can be found in the reports from sn.at and antenna.de.