In brief
The Louvre, facing increasing visitor numbers and severe infrastructure issues, is at a critical juncture prompting President Macron's visit, amid a leaked warning about the museum’s poor conditions and the pressing need for state funding.
Every day, a staggering 30,000 visitors flock to the Louvre, making it the world's most popular museum. However, its president, Laurence des Cars, has raised alarms over the museum's rapidly declining infrastructure in a leaked letter to the government, emphasizing the urgent need for a substantial influx of state funds. Concerns include flooding, power outages, and the aging facility struggling to accommodate increasing visitor numbers.Des Cars pointed out that the iconic glass pyramid, a gateway to the galleries since 1989, is no longer structurally sound, and the Mona Lisa—which draws approximately 20,000 daily viewers—might need relocating due to overcrowding. As Macron prepares for his visit to the Louvre this Tuesday, there are hopes that he will unveil a new funding strategy, though his capacity to make significant financial promises has diminished following the loss of parliamentary control six months ago, compounded by tight national budgets.Christian Galani from the Louvre employees' union stated that each day brings new evidence of the museum's deterioration—paint chipping, flooding in exhibition areas, and delayed payments to contractors due to financial constraints. A temporary exhibit in the Sully wing had to be abruptly shut down after just a few days due to water damage, highlighting the facility’s vulnerabilities.The extremes of seasonal temperature fluctuation—from 10 degrees Celsius in winter to 30 in summer—are distressing visitors and staff alike, presenting additional risks to the preservation of artworks. The glass pyramid, designed for 4 million annual visitors, now faces over double that attendance, exacerbating its condition.In her communication, des Cars also noted the dire need for improved visitor amenities, including enhanced restroom facilities, cafés, and rest areas. Visitor experience while viewing the Mona Lisa has significantly diminished, with the artist's grandeur compromised as visitors can only afford around 50 seconds to view her painting in the crowded Salle des Etats.Potential solutions under consideration include constructing a new entrance beneath the eastern colonnades of the palace to help ease congestion. This plan involves digging underground to create more space for visitor flow, better facilities, and potentially relocating the Mona Lisa to a less congested area. Another proposal is to remove the painting from general exhibit status, potentially requiring an additional fee for its view.Despite a significant state subsidy of €96 million received in 2024, along with €161 million in ticket and event sales and €83 million from a sponsorship deal, the museum is increasingly turning to corporate sponsors and philanthropists for financial restoration. Culture Minister Rachida Dati has been vocal about the possibility of raising entrance fees for non-EU visitors as part of the Louvre's long-term financial strategy.
