The Louvre’s €1 billion price tag for renovations has sparked an Italian counteroffer to temporarily relocate the Mona Lisa to Milan during the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Louvre’s Renovation Conundrum: Italy Offers a Temporary Solution for the Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is a portrait painted in oil on poplar wood by Leonardo da Vinci, created between 1503 and 1506.
The subject of the painting is believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo.
The enigmatic smile has become an iconic symbol of the Renaissance era.
The painting measures 77 x 53 cm and is displayed at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.
It is considered one of the most famous paintings in the world, with over 8 million visitors per year.
The Louvre, one of the world’s most famous museums, is facing a significant renovation challenge. The museum’s director, ‘the harsh reality of the state of our overcrowded buildings’ , many of which are ‘reaching a worrying level of obsolescence‘. Des Cars described ‘structural damages’ due to long-delayed renovations that have become so dire that water leaks now threaten priceless art, while temperature fluctuations put conservation efforts at risk. The museum’s visitor experience has become ‘a real physical test’, with visitors facing grueling conditions.
The Louvre is facing a significant renovation challenge. The museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, recently wrote a letter to Culture Minister Rachida Dati, highlighting the dire need for urgent renovations due to structural damages and overcrowding. The letter was leaked to the press, sparking a national debate.
The State of the Louvre is facing ‘the harsh reality of the state of our overcrowded buildings,’ many of which are ‘reaching a worrying level of obsolescence.’ Des Cars described ‘structural damages’ due to long-delayed renovations that have become so dire that water leaks now threaten priceless art, while temperature fluctuations put conservation efforts at risk. The museum’s visitor experience has become ‘a real physical test’, with visitors facing grueling conditions.
The Price Tag is staggering – a minimum of €1 billion, which is 30 percent more than the entire reconstruction of Notre Dame. The Louvre has already calculated this price tag internally and in communications with state bodies.
Meanwhile, Italy is seizing on the opportunity to welcome the iconic Mona Lisa back home – at least temporarily. Italian President Sergio Mattarella and French President Emmanuel Macron have stood together in front of the painting in 2023. The regional assessor for culture in Italy’s Lombardy region, Francesca Caruso, suggested that Milan could host the painting during the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
A Dedicated Space is needed to display the Mona Lisa safely. Des Cars’ letter highlighted the inadequate conditions of the overcrowded room where the Mona Lisa is currently displayed. Macron confirmed that the painting will move to a new, dedicated room inside the museum. However, sources report that renovating an additional room specifically for the famous painting has been estimated at €400 million.
A Temporary Solution? could provide a solution while the French government decides how best to safely display it. While debates over its repatriation have never really disappeared, Caruso clarified that the offer is not about reclaiming the painting but about offering to host it during this time.
The Saga Continues: The Mona Lisa’s global fame and legendary status largely stem from the early 20th-century theft, which catapulted it into international headlines. The saga ended perfectly: Peruggia was caught in 1913 after attempting to sell the work to an art dealer in Florence, and the painting was triumphantly returned to the Louvre in 1914.
