Fact Check: French President Emmanuel Macron announced a renovation plan for the Louvre Museum in January 2025, which is expected to cost between 700 million to 800 million euros ($730 million to $834 million) and aims to address issues like water leaks and outdated infrastructure.

Fact Check: French President Emmanuel Macron Announces Louvre Renovation Plan

What We Know

On January 28, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron announced a significant renovation plan for the Louvre Museum, which is expected to cost between 700 million to 800 million euros (approximately $730 million to $834 million) (AP News, NPR). The renovation, branded as "Louvre New Renaissance," aims to modernize the museum's infrastructure, which has been criticized for issues such as water leaks and outdated facilities (AP News, Le Monde). The project will also include the creation of a dedicated room for the iconic "Mona Lisa," which is intended to improve visitor experience and alleviate overcrowding (NPR, RFI).

Analysis

The announcement of the Louvre's renovation aligns with concerns raised by museum officials regarding the building's condition. Louvre Director Laurence des Cars highlighted issues such as "obsolescence," water leaks, and temperature fluctuations that threaten the preservation of artworks (AP News, NPR). The museum's last major renovation occurred in the 1980s, and the current infrastructure is no longer adequate for the increasing number of visitors, which reached nearly 9 million in 2024 (NPR, Le Monde).

The estimated cost of the renovation, between 700 and 800 million euros, has been corroborated by multiple sources, including French news outlets and government officials (AP News, NPR, Le Monde). This funding is expected to come from a combination of ticket sales, private donations, and licensing agreements, particularly from the Louvre's Abu Dhabi branch (NPR, RFI).

However, some critiques have emerged regarding the renovation plan. Certain Louvre staff members have expressed skepticism, suggesting that the announced budget may serve as a distraction from deeper issues within the museum, such as staffing shortages and operational challenges (KTSM, Seattle PI). Despite these concerns, the overall consensus among credible sources supports the claim that a substantial renovation plan is indeed in motion.

Conclusion

The claim that French President Emmanuel Macron announced a renovation plan for the Louvre Museum in January 2025, with an estimated cost of 700 million to 800 million euros and a focus on addressing infrastructure issues, is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms the details of the announcement, the projected costs, and the objectives of the renovation.

Sources

1. Macron announces major overhaul to modernize Louvre
2. The Louvre will be renovated and 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
3. The Louvre shuts doors to visitors, with staff refusing to take their posts
4. President Macron outlines plans for Louvre 'renaissance'
5. Louvre shuts its doors, overwhelmed and understaffed – a strike
6. Macron lays out ambitious renovation plan for Louvre
7. The world's most-visited museum shuts down with staff protests
8. Macron reveals bold Louvre overhaul with exclusive space for Mona Lisa