Louvre risks closure without major renovation, museum president warns

The Louvre could be forced to close to the public unless major renovations are undertaken, its president Christophe Leribault warned Wednesday, calling for support for a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) overhaul.

In an interview with Le Figaro, Leribault appealed to the government that takes office after France’s presidential election, “whoever it may be,” to support the museum’s transformation.

Without renovation, the Louvre risks losing its standing before ultimately having to “close its doors to the public,” which he described as “a disaster.”

The world’s most visited museum is “in very poor condition” and “completely overcrowded,” said Leribault, who was appointed in February.

His warning comes nearly a year after the Oct. 19, 2025 burglary in which eight crown jewels were stolen, exposing significant security weaknesses and plunging the museum into crisis.

Leribault is championing the “Louvre New Renaissance” project, arguing that strengthening security requires improvements to the historic building and its infrastructure.

The estimated €1 billion project includes renovating the museum and constructing a new entrance. Completion could take 12 to 15 years.

Leribault did not rule out another increase in admission prices, provided it remained “very reasonable.” Ticket prices for non-European visitors rose this year from €22 to €32.

The museum president aims to raise €360 million from French and international donors to help finance the project, which faces opposition from unions.

No donor commitments have been signed so far, although Leribault told Le Figaro that foreign donors were ready to support the museum.