Major Expansion and Transformation Announced

Last Month, French President Emmanuel Macron and Louvre President-Directrice Laurence des Cars unveiled plans for a historic modernization project aimed at adapting the world’s most-visited museum to an increasingly global audience. With 30,000 visitors per day, the Louvre faces ongoing challenges of overcrowding. Called the Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance, this ambitious initiative will expand gallery space and introduce a major new entrance along the Colonnade du Louvre to improve accessibility and enhance the visitor experience.

A major component of the project is the creation of new galleries under the Cour Carrée, the Louvre’s easternmost courtyard, and surrounding the oldest part of the museum, the subterranean Medieval Louvre. Among these will be a dedicated gallery space for The Mona Lisa, designed to alleviate congestion and ensure a more pleasant experience for everyone. In addition to this expansion, major improvements will be made to the building’s infrastructure, including restoring the iconic Grande Galerie, which houses the museum’s collection of Italian painting.

This marks the most ambitious transformation of the museum since The Grand Louvre, the decade-long expansion launched in 1981 by President François Mitterrand. That initiative gave the world the iconic glass-and-steel Pyramid by architect I.M. Pei. Now, with a goal of welcoming 12 million visitors annually, this new vision will once again redefine the Louvre for a new era.

The French Ministry of Culture will launch an international architectural competition this year, with the new entrance expected to be completed by 2031. Over its nine-century history, the Louvre has continuously evolved—this latest transformation will ensure it remains a cultural beacon for the 21st century and beyond. As a longtime supporter of the museum, AFL will play a vital role in fundraising efforts to bring this ambitious vision to life, helping make the Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance a reality. Stay tuned for more details on how you can be a part of this historic endeavor.