PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron announced on January 28 that the iconic "Mona Lisa" will be relocated to a dedicated room within the Louvre Museum as part of a major renovation project that aims to enhance the visitor experience and restore the world’s most-visited museum to modern standards. The project, dubbed “Louvre New Renaissance,” is poised to take nearly a decade and comes amidst concerns over overcrowding and outdated facilities.

Speaking in front of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Macron outlined plans for a new entrance located near the River Seine, expected to alleviate congestion at the current Pyramid entrance, which has been described as “a physical ordeal” by visitors due to noise and crowding. The Louvre has welcomed nearly 9 million visitors annually, significantly surpassing its original capacity designed for just 4 million during its last major renovation in the 1980s.

The renovation is estimated to cost between €700 million and €800 million (approximately $730 million to $834 million), with funding sourced from ticket sales, private patrons, and earnings from the Louvre Abu Dhabi, which means taxpayers will not bear the financial burden. In his address, Macron emphasized the importance of delivering a museum experience that matches the significance of the works housed within.

“Conditions of display, explanation, and presentation will be up to what the ‘Mona Lisa’ deserves,” Macron stated, as he discussed how the new arrangement would allow visitors easier access to the painting while simultaneously improving the viewing experience of other artworks in the room.

The Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, previously expressed concerns over the deterioration of the building, highlighting issues such as water leaks and temperature variations which threaten the preservation of its priceless collections. Macron's renovation plan arrived in response to a confidential memo detailing these challenges, echoing caution about the museum's facilities.

Besides the new dedicated room for the "Mona Lisa," the renovation will include creating underground exhibition rooms and a new grand entrance to enhance access and comfort for visitors. An international architectural competition will be held to decide the design of these new features, with the aim of completion by 2031.

Ticket prices for non-EU visitors are set to rise from €22 ($23), a move intended to help finance the upgrades. The museum’s management aims to increase annual visitors to 12 million post-renovation.

Reflecting on the significance of the project, Macron stated, “The redesigned Louvre, restored and expanded, will become the epicenter of art history for our country and beyond.”

For more details, visit The Guardian, NPR, and AP News.