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Mona Lisa Packs Her Bags, Paris Redraws Its Museum Map

For centuries, the Mona Lisa has quietly reigned over the Louvre’s Salle des États, drawing crowds so thick that visitors often glimpse more smartphones than smiles. Now, a sweeping transformation is underway: the Louvre is planning a dedicated home for Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmatic portrait as part of a decade-long overhaul. This ambitious project—dubbed the “Louvre New Renaissance”—aims to ease the museum’s legendary congestion, with a new entrance set to rise by the Seine and an international design competition fueling fresh architectural visions. The move isn’t just about space; it’s a response to growing safety concerns for both art and audience, as the museum’s aging infrastructure faces leaks and temperature swings. With ticket prices set to climb for non-EU visitors and debates reigniting over the painting’s rightful home, the Mona Lisa’s next chapter is poised to be as dramatic as her famous smile. Sometimes, even icons need a change of scenery. #Louvre #MonaLisa #ArtNews #Culture