The president of the Louvre, Laurence Des Cars, has proposed requiring an additional ticket to view the Mona Lisa, in addition to the museum's general admission.
Speaking on January 2, 2025, on France Inter, she clarified that this would not be a separate ticket exclusively for the Mona Lisa but rather an extra charge on top of the standard Louvre entrance fee.
"The idea is to have a Louvre ticket that grants access to the permanent collections and exhibitions (...), and if you want to see the Mona Lisa, you will need this ticket plus an additional fee for access to the painting," said Des Cars.
This decision follows concerns about the Louvre's deteriorating condition and severe visitor overcrowding, which exceeds its capacity. The Mona Lisa alone attracts 20,000 visitors per day, causing significant congestion in the museum.
In response to media reports about the Louvre's condition, President Emmanuel Macron made several announcements on January 28 regarding a renovation project set for completion in 2031.
The French president stated that the project would include a new space and a separate entrance for the Mona Lisa. Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece will be made "independently accessible from the rest of the museum and will therefore require a dedicated access ticket,"according to Macron.
Speaking on France Inter, Laurence Des Cars specified that the Mona Lisa would "probably be relocated under the Cour Carrée," in "a dedicated space that will finally allow visitors to view the painting in a calm environment."
"Our proposal is to fully embrace the exceptional status of the Mona Lisa," she emphasized. She also described the painting as a "blessing for the Louvre," as it remains one of the most famous artworks in the world.
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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