culture
December 30, 2025
The Louvre is the pride of France – and it’s on the verge of collapse. Can we rescue it in time?
From a jewel heist to crumbling galleries, it’s been a dire year for the world’s most visited museum. At least France has woken up to its predicament
TL;DR
- The Louvre transformed from a royal palace into a national art museum in 1793.
- Notable events include the 1911 Mona Lisa theft and Jacques Jaujard's wartime evacuation of the collection.
- Recent issues include ceiling collapses, water damage to historic documents, and inadequate IT security.
- President Macron announced a €1.15 billion renovation plan, 'renaissance', to modernize the museum.
- The renovation includes a dedicated Mona Lisa room, new galleries, and improved infrastructure.
- Funding will be partly sourced from increased visitor fees for non-EU nationals (€32) and EU residents (€22) starting January.
- Parliamentary committee reports highlighted warnings about inadequate security and IT infrastructure that were ignored.
- The Louvre faces challenges due to its popularity, with nearly 9 million visitors annually.
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