Macron's Louvre Visit: A Dire Call to Action for France's Most Iconic Museum

In a bid to confront severe maintenance challenges, President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit the Louvre amid reports of crumbling conditions and pressing financial needs.

Every day, around 30,000 visitors pass through the iconic Louvre, yet the museum is facing unprecedented challenges that threaten not only its infrastructure but also the visitor experience. Laurence des Cars, the museum's president, recently sent a leaked letter to the French government, warning about urgent issues such as power outages, flooding, and aging facilities.

Des Cars highlighted that the famous glass pyramid, which has served as the museum's entrance since 1989, is "structurally unable to cope" with the massive influx of visitors. The Mona Lisa, which sees about 20,000 admirers each day, could potentially be relocated due to these conditions. Macron's visit on Tuesday may lead to announcements about vital funding and investment, but the current parliamentary landscape and France’s financial constraints make any substantial allocations contentious.

Employees at the Louvre, represented by trade unionist Christian Galani, express their frustration over the museum's decline, noting issues like flooding in exhibition areas, paint peeling, and delayed payments to contractors. Recent weather extremes exacerbate worries, with temperature fluctuations affecting artwork and visitor comfort.

In her correspondence, des Cars called for improved visitor amenities, emphasizing the need for better restrooms, cafes, and possibly a redesign of the Mona Lisa’s presentation. Currently, visitors only get an average of 50 seconds to view the masterpiece due to overwhelming crowds, a situation that diminishes the appreciation of Leonardo da Vinci's work and challenges the museum’s mission to serve the public.

To alleviate congestion and improve facilities, options are on the table, including establishing a new entrance beneath the palace’s eastern colonnades by excavating a currently non-historical moat. This could also allow for additional spaces to house the Mona Lisa away from the main visitor flow.

The Louvre has been dependent on state funding, receiving €96 million in 2024, alongside ticket sales and sponsorships. As financial support from the government appears uncertain, museum officials are increasingly looking towards corporate donors and private philanthropy, inspired by the fundraising success for the Notre Dame restoration. Meanwhile, there is also talk of potentially increasing entrance fees for non-EU visitors as a means to raise funds.