Never Enough for Them!
Funding for the Louvre renovation project remains in question, reports TANR.
Since 2021 the director of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, has been promoting the "Grand Louvre" project, which envisages a large-scale reconstruction of the museum, including the building of a new entrance and a new room for the Mona Lisa. The cost of the project is estimated at €1 billion. However, given France's budget deficit, these plans are met with scepticism.
Macron has voiced his support for the initiative, comparing it with the restoration of Notre-Dame and promising to complete the project by 2031. The funding is to come from raising ticket prices for non-European tourists to €22, as well as from the Louvre's branch in Abu Dhabi and from sponsors. Nevertheless, the government has so far agreed to allocate only €10 million for preparatory studies, and further funding remains uncertain.
Trade unions and the public have expressed concern, holding that the money should go towards improving conditions for visitors and staff rather than towards costly architectural projects. At the same time, LVMH, the company of Bernard Arnault, is considering supporting the museum, but its participation has not yet been confirmed.
Thus, for all the ambitious plans to modernise the Louvre, the lack of clear funding and of government support casts doubt on the realisation of the "Grand Louvre" project.
