Louvre Contemplates Relocating ‘Mona Lisa’ To A New Home

Photo 297011828 © Antonella865 | Dreamstime.com

When you’ve stayed in the same spot for a while, there may come a time when it feels you’ve outgrown it. The Louvre in Paris is cooking up a new plan for its star exhibit, the Mona Lisa. Faced with relentless crowds and cramped viewing conditions, the museum is considering a move for the celebrated painting to a purpose-built room in its basement.

Every year, around 10 million people flock to see Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, often finding themselves shoulder-to-shoulder and jostling for elbow room among selfie sticks for a fleeting glimpse. The average visitor gets just 50 seconds to admire the painting, which is kept behind bulletproof glass and a sturdy barrier.

Louvre director Laurence des Cars thinks it’s time for a change to give visitors a better experience. “We don’t welcome visitors very well in this room, so we feel we’re not doing our job properly,” des Cars explained to staff, acknowledging that the current setup falls short of the museum's standards.

The proposed change involves more than just moving the Mona Lisa downstairs. It includes a substantial renovation project that would open a new entrance to the museum and add two new rooms in the basement—one specifically designed for the painting. This move could potentially ease the overcrowding and make visits more enjoyable.

However, the plan isn’t cheap—it's estimated to cost about €500 million (US$536 million). With recent cuts in the French culture budget, finding the funds for such an expensive overhaul will be a challenge. The notion aims to balance visitor satisfaction with financial feasibility, as the museum looks to keep the Mona Lisa accessible and enjoyable for all.

[via ARTnews, W Magazine, Euronews, The Telegraph, cover photo 297011828 © Antonella865 | Dreamstime.com]