Louvre Announces Global Design Competition Amid Renovation Push

The Musée du Louvre has launched an international architectural competition as part of its €400 million, five-year renovation plan, following weeks of internal tension and an abrupt staff strike. Unveiled on June 27, the competition seeks proposals for a new entrance on the eastern facade and a dedicated exhibition space for the Mona Lisa.

Unlike I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid, the new entrance must blend seamlessly with the building’s 17th-century classical colonnades, offering a more integrated experience. Meanwhile, da Vinci’s masterpiece will move to a newly built 33,000-square-foot subterranean gallery beneath the Cour Courée, accessed through separate timed-entry to reduce crowding.

The renovation comes amid rising pressure on the museum’s aging infrastructure and its ability to manage nearly 9 million annual visitors. An internal letter from director Laurence des Cars cited widespread water damage and unstable climate conditions as risks to the collection. President Emmanuel Macron has dubbed the overhaul a “New Renaissance,” with partial funding expected to come from a new €10 ticket price for non-EU visitors.

Five finalists will be selected by jury this October, with the winning design team announced in early 2026.