ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a sweeping renovation plan for the Louvre Museum in Paris on Tuesday, including a new dedicated space for the Mona Lisa and expanded facilities to attract millions more visitors annually.

Macron described the project as “realistic and financed,” emphasizing the importance of preserving France’s cultural legacy.

"Talking about the long term, about culture and art, is also one of the messages France has to deliver to the world. And it’s a political fight," he said.

The Mona Lisa will be relocated to a specially designed gallery beneath the Cour Carree, offering a more tranquil viewing experience, he also announced.

"This new space will be accessible independently from the rest of the museum, with its own access ticket," Macron said, adding that it will feature "an exhibition that matches what the Mona Lisa deserves."

A new grand entrance at the Colonnade de Perrault is also planned to ease visitor flow and improve accessibility.

The renovations aim to “rebalance the way people visit the Louvre” and “give the museum back to Parisians in its access,” Macron stated.

The French government has committed €10 million for preliminary studies, with total costs projected at €700–800 million over a decade, he said.

To support funding, ticket prices for non-EU visitors will increase starting in 2026, Macron added.

With these updates, Macron aims to boost annual attendance from 8.7 million to at least 12 million visitors, restoring the Louvre’s status as a global cultural icon.