Charmed by Mona Lisa's priceless smile? You may have to pay more to watch as Louvre Museum warms up for a facelift

French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled plans for a significant renovation of the Louvre Museum in Paris, including a dedicated room for the iconic Mona Lisa.

The renovation aims to address overcrowding and outdated facilities at the museum, Macron confirmed on Tuesday, and every room where the Mona Lisa is displayed will also be spruced up.

New Entrance near River Seine

The ambitious renovation project will involve a new entrance near the River Seine and the creation of underground rooms. However, Macron did not disclose the exact cost of the overhaul, expected to run into the hundreds of millions of euros.

The work will take years to complete, as it focuses on modernising the museum to improve visitor experience and preserve its artworks.

Louvre Director's Concerns 

France's President Macron’s announcement follows concerns raised by Louvre Director Laurence des Cars about the museum's deteriorating conditions. In a letter to Culture Minister Rachida Dati earlier this month, des Cars highlighted the “very poor condition” of some areas of the museum. She noted that the Louvre is facing "obsolescence," with water leaks, temperature fluctuations, and other issues threatening the preservation of the museum's collection.

Outdated Pyramid entrance 

One key concern des Cars raised is the outdated pyramid entrance, unveiled in 1989 as part of former President François Mitterrand's renovation plan. The pyramid no longer meets modern standards, with inadequate insulation and noise issues that make the space uncomfortable for visitors and staff alike. Also, the museum suffers from a lack of food offerings and restroom facilities.

Other renovations and cost breakdown

This renovation of the Louvre comes in the wake of the Pompidou Center’s planned closure for a five-year renovation, which will cost an estimated 262 million euros ($273 million).

The Louvre’s budget is split between state funding, which covers half of it including the salaries of 2,200 employees, and private funds sourced from ticket sales, restaurants, shops, special events, and international partnerships. Notably, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has contributed to the renovation of the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum.

(With AP inputs)