Christophe Leribault, president of the Louvre Museum, has outlined plans to seek financial support from Asian art enthusiasts to help fund a significant architectural renovation aimed at alleviating overcrowding and enhancing the visitor experience at the Paris institution. Speaking in Hong Kong on September 9, Leribault emphasized the need for international contributions to bridge a substantial funding gap for the project.

Leribault took office in February 2026, following the resignation of former Louvre head Laurence des Cars, who stepped down amid fallout from a 2025 break-in during which thieves stole French crown jewels valued at approximately US$100 million. Since then, the museum has faced mounting pressures to bolster security, address urgent repairs, and upgrade infrastructure.

In response, the Louvre implemented a dual-pricing system in January, increasing admission fees for visitors from outside the European Union by 45 percent, from €22 to €32. Despite these measures and state government support, Leribault indicated that ticket revenues and public funding currently cover only about 75 percent of the over €1 billion Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance project. This initiative, launched officially by President Emmanuel Macron in 2025 and originally introduced by des Cars, aims to increase the museum’s annual capacity from 9 million to 12 million visitors.

With a remaining funding shortfall of €360 million—despite a €300 million contribution from licensing fees linked to the Louvre Abu Dhabi—Leribault noted that Asia represents a critical source of potential support. He highlighted that around 16 percent of the Louvre’s visitors come from Asia, with Chinese tourists constituting the largest group, and expressed a desire for regional philanthropists to contribute to the renovation effort.

Addressing internal challenges, Leribault said he has prioritized dialogue with museum staff, including guards, curators, and conservators, following union complaints and walkouts last year over staffing shortages and safety concerns. He also underlined the importance of collaboration with the city of Paris, emphasizing that new entrances would better connect the museum to the urban fabric.

The planned overhaul targets significant congestion points, including the 1980s glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei and the crowded area around Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. The project will relocate the famed portrait to a custom-built underground gallery, implementing timed entry slots and limiting groups to no more than 20 visitors to prevent previous overcrowding.

Architect Annabelle Selldorf is designing two new entrances beneath the Louvre’s 17th-century Colonnade facade to improve access. Alongside these structural changes, Leribault intends to revamp the museum’s displays by combining paintings, sculptures, and drawings to better illustrate connections between different art forms, aiming to balance the needs of international tourists and local residents seeking quieter, reflective moments.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028 and is projected to span up to 15 years, with individual wings closing sequentially to maintain continuous public access throughout the renovation.