Louvre director warns of closure risk without modernisation

Louvre director Christophe Leribault warned that the museum could eventually be forced to close to visitors without renovation and modernisation. His interview with Le Figaro was published on October 14.

Leribault said the current renewal plan covers twelve to fifteen years. Work is intended to proceed while the museum remains open, with renovated departments rotating and access to landmark exhibits preserved.

The director described the museum's condition as poor and highlighted overcrowding. He said the pyramid entrance can no longer accommodate approximately nine million visitors and that the Mona Lisa's popularity congests the Denon wing.

The renewal discussion follows the October 2025 museum robbery, when jewellery belonging to French queens and empresses was stolen. Losses were valued at eighty-eight million euros, and several suspects were detained.

RIA Novosti reported that a French parliamentary committee subsequently criticised museum management priorities concerning security. Leribault's warning does not announce a scheduled date for the Louvre to close.