PARIS, May 18, (V7N) – France has selected an international team of architects to spearhead a major transformation of the Louvre, aiming to address a series of recent crises at the world-famous museum, including a $100 million jewellery theft.

The “Louvre-New Renaissance” project, President Emmanuel Macron’s flagship cultural initiative announced last year, will feature a dedicated space for the Mona Lisa and a new entrance to ease overcrowding at the museum’s iconic pyramid.

The redevelopment has been entrusted to STUDIOS Architecture Paris, the French branch of a global architecture firm, and Selldorf Architects, a New York-based firm founded by a German architect. A French landscape and urban planning agency is also part of the team. The winning proposal was chosen by a jury from five shortlisted candidates for its “architectural quality, heritage integration, urban and landscape considerations, and attention to security,” the culture ministry said.

“The proposal establishes an elegant link between the city, the palace, and the museum,” the Louvre said in a statement.

STUDIOS Architecture Paris has contributed to projects such as the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris and the LUMA Foundation in Arles. Selldorf Architects is known for work on historic institutions, including The Frick Collection in New York and the National Gallery in London.

The estimated cost of the project ranges from €700–800 million ($730–830 million), though the French Court of Auditors has pegged it at €1.15 billion.

Under the plan, Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, which draws around 20,000 visitors a day, will be independently accessible with a separate ticket. The museum will also add a new entrance on its eastern facade, designed to handle growing visitor numbers more efficiently; the current pyramid entry was built for four million visitors annually but now serves nine million.

The Louvre has faced a series of setbacks in recent months, from theft and ticket fraud to strikes, water leaks, and structural and security issues, raising national concern over the museum’s management and infrastructure.

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