Title: The Louvre Museum in Trouble: Director's Urgent Call for Assistance as Issues Threaten Treasured Art
In a letter to Culture Minister Rachida Dati, revealed by Paris daily Le Parisien and confirmed to Reuters, Louvre President Laurence des Cars voiced concerns about the museum's deteriorating state. She pointed out issues with water leaks and "alarming temperature swings" that threaten the preservation of priceless artworks.
Hailing from Paris's late 12th century, the Louvre Palace served as the royal residence of the French monarchs until King Louis XIV relocated to Versailles in the 17th century. Later, it transformed into a museum for the royal art collection in 1793.
The Louvre's popularity skyrocketed, attracting 8.7 million visitors in 2021, who all entered through the iconic pyramid-shaped entrance designed by architect I.M. Pei. However, the entrance has since become problematic, causing the subterranean reception to overheat during summers due to a greenhouse effect.
As a result, a visit to the Louvre has become an arduous task, with artworks difficult to locate due to inadequate signage, lack of visitor-friendly breaks, and insufficient dining and restroom facilities. To combat overcrowding, desert Cars limited daily visitors to 30,000 despite record 10.2 million visitors in 2018.
Despite not mentioning financing in her letter, a potential €500 million ($525 million) renovation cost has surfaced. This price tag could pose a challenge for the French government, which has struggled with budget approvals.
Discussions concerning the museum's repairs have been ongoing between Emmanuel Macron's office, the Ministry of Culture, and Louvre representatives. Macron reportedly took interest in the problem, engaging with the situation for several months.
After securing his first election victory in 2017, Macron delivered his victory speech in front of the Louvre, while the Tuileries gardens also underwent a notable transformation during the 2024 Paris Olympics preparations.
Presently, the museum is considering extensive renovations, including constructing a new "Mona Lisa" wing and a new eastern entrance to alleviate the Pyramid entrance congestion.
The Louvre's stylish arts exhibitions require optimal conditions to preserve their beauty, yet water leaks and temperature swings pose a significant threat. The museum's renowned artworks, including the Mona Lisa, deserve a suitable environment where they can be appreciated for generations to come.
