Christophe Leribault, the Louvre's president-director, told the French Senate that the museum is 'at the end of its rope,' citing urgent building issues, aging infrastructure, and a massive investment challenge. His testimony follows a high-profile heist in October 2025, when thieves stole $102 million in crown jewels, sparking staff strikes, partial closures, and the resignation of his predecessor Laurence des Cars. Leribault outlined plans for a new video surveillance system and the Nouvelle Renaissance renovation, a €1 billion project to create a new entrance and a dedicated Mona Lisa exhibition space.
This matters because the Louvre is the world's most-visited museum, and its current crisis—combining security failures, staff unrest, and infrastructure decay—threatens its global reputation and operational future. The museum's struggle to raise €360 million in the coming months, despite licensing income from Louvre Abu Dhabi, highlights the financial pressures facing major cultural institutions. The outcome of this renovation and security overhaul will set a precedent for how historic museums balance preservation, visitor experience, and modernization in the 21st century.