Few institutions embody the weight of history and the pulse of the present quite like the Louvre Museum. Home to the world’s most revered masterpieces, it now faces an existential challenge: how to accommodate its ever-growing audience without compromising the visitor experience. Enter the Nouvelle Renaissance—an ambitious, forward-thinking renovation set to redefine the iconic Parisian landmark.

French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on January 28, 2025, standing before the Mona Lisa, the enigmatic face of the museum itself. His vision? A museum that honors its past while embracing the future.

Why a New Entrance?

Designed by I.M. Pei in 1989, the Louvre Pyramid was a bold architectural statement that transformed the museum’s accessibility. Yet, decades later, the structure is struggling to keep pace with the museum’s overwhelming popularity. With 8 million annual visitors—a number expected to swell to 13 million post-renovation—long queues, water leakage, and overcrowding are pressing concerns. According to a leaked letter from Musée du Louvre director Laurence des Cars, the pyramid is “structurally unable to cope” with current demands.

The solution? A new grand entrance on the museum’s classical eastern façade, leading into subterranean galleries beneath the Cour Carrée. This redesign not only alleviates congestion but also offers a seamless, modernized flow through the Louvre’s sprawling collections.

A Mona Lisa of Her Own

Ask any Louvre visitor what they came to see, and odds are they’ll name Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The portrait, housed in the museum’s largest gallery, is as famous for its impenetrable smile as it is for the bottleneck it creates. The Nouvelle Renaissance project proposes a dedicated, standalone gallery for the masterpiece—a space designed to optimize crowd movement and give the painting the reverence it deserves.

This change also serves another purpose: liberating the Venetian Renaissance masterworks in the current gallery, which often go unnoticed in the frenzy to glimpse La Joconde. Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto may finally get their moment in the spotlight.

A Global Competition for a Timeless Institution

Great architecture demands great minds. To ensure a design that aligns with the Louvre’s grandeur, a global architectural competition will be held, inviting the world’s best visionaries to reimagine the museum’s future.

Additionally, the project will extend beyond the museum walls. A nationwide art-sharing initiative will distribute key works to regional museums, ensuring that France’s artistic treasures reach broader audiences. Meanwhile, a partnership with the Ministry of Education aims to bolster art history education in schools, fostering a new generation of engaged, informed visitors.
With an estimated budget of €800 million ($834 million), this is not just a renovation—it’s a reimagining of what a museum can be.

The redesigned Louvre, restored and expanded, will become the epicenter of art history for our country and beyond.

– Macron’s parting words during his speech sum it up best.

Additionally, the project will extend beyond the museum walls. A nationwide art-sharing initiative will distribute key works to regional museums, ensuring that France’s artistic treasures reach broader audiences. Meanwhile, a partnership with the Ministry of Education aims to bolster art history education in schools, fostering a new generation of engaged, informed visitors.
With an estimated budget of €800 million ($834 million), this is not just a renovation—it’s a reimagining of what a museum can be.