The Louvre launches international architecture competition for major renovation and new “Mona Lisa” gallery

After weeks of tension and a sudden staff strike that left thousands of tourists waiting outside its gates, Paris’s Louvre Museum has officially announced an international architecture competition to prepare for a much-anticipated renovation, reports Hypebeast.

Starting June 27, France’s largest museum began seeking design proposals to expand its legendary space and ease the overwhelming flow of visitors. Plans include creating a new entrance and an underground exhibition hall dedicated exclusively to one of its most prized exhibits — Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. A jury of 21 experts will select five finalists by October, with the winner announced early next year.

The new entrance is planned for the building’s eastern façade. Unlike the famous glass pyramid by architect Ieoh Ming Pei, the new designs must harmoniously blend with the 17th-century classical style of the façade, featuring colonnades.

The main highlight will be a dedicated “freedom space” for the Mona Lisa. The iconic masterpiece will be relocated to a new 3,000-square-meter underground gallery beneath the Cour Carrée courtyard. Visitors will access the space only by pre-booked tickets with timed entry, aiming to prevent the overcrowding that currently surrounds the painting.

This ambitious initiative comes amid growing concerns about the Louvre’s aging infrastructure and its capacity to accommodate nearly nine million annual visitors. According to an internal letter leaked by museum director Laurence de Car to Le Parisien, parts of the building suffer from leaks and unstable climate conditions that could threaten the preservation of the collection.

In January, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a five-year renovation plan he dubbed the Louvre’s “New Renaissance.” According to Le Monde, the project’s budget is estimated at around €400 million, with part of the funding expected to come from increased ticket prices for visitors from non-EU countries.