The world-famous needs a massive injection of cash if it is to cope with visitor numbers, the museum's president has said
Art critics hailed news of the move, saying that the precious painting has stolen the spotlight for long enough.
The iconic Louvre in Paris is no stranger to crowds. Since first opening in 1793, the museum has played host to millions of guests and undergone dozens of expansions and renovations to accommodate them. Today, though, overtourism has brought the historic site to a breaking point.
The world's most visited museum is also overcrowded, antiquated and desperate for renovations that will start next year and include separate space and tickets for Mona Lisa.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Tuesday a new restoration and expansion project for the Louvre Museum.
Macron visited the museum days after Le Parisien newspapers reported on a confidential memo that the Louvre's director, Laurence des Cars, sent to Culture Minister Rachida Dati. According to the newspaper, the director warned of “a proliferation of damage to the museum’s spaces, some of which are in a very poor condition.”
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the famous Louvre Museum in Paris is getting a major 10-year renovation including a new room just for Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” But what other pieces of “art” deserve their own grand display?
The French president announced a few changes coming to the world's largest museum, in a bid to prevent overcrowding.
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Video - The standard price for one ticket to the permanent collections of the Louvre is €22, although free admission is still offered to job seekers, disabled visitors, and European residents 25 years old and under.
A Louvre expansion that would put La Gioconda in her very own gallery has us envisioning the most mysterious sitter in iconic rooms of art history.