Paris:The Louvre Museum may be forced to close its doors to the public unless significant renovations are carried out, warned the museum's president, Christophe Leribault. He has called for support for a £1 billion ($1.1 billion) overhaul to address the facility's needs.

According to Anadolu Agency, Leribault urged the incoming French government, regardless of its political affiliation, to back the museum's transformation. He emphasized that without these renovations, the Louvre risks losing its prestigious status and may eventually have to cease operations, which he described as a "disaster."

The museum, known as the most visited in the world, is reportedly in "very poor condition" and experiencing severe overcrowding. Leribault, who took on the role in February, highlighted the urgency of the situation, especially following the theft of eight crown jewels on October 19, 2025, which exposed significant security vulnerabilities.

The proposed "Louvre New Renaissance" project aims to enhance security by improving the museum's historic building and infrastructure. The ambitious plan, which includes renovating the museum and constructing a new entrance, is expected to take 12 to 15 years to complete and is projected to cost around £1 billion.

Leribault mentioned that an increase in admission prices might be considered to support the project, though he assured that any price hike would remain "very reasonable." This year, ticket prices for non-European visitors increased from £22 to £32.

To finance the project, Leribault plans to raise £360 million from French and international donors, despite facing resistance from unions. While no donor commitments have been finalized, Leribault noted that foreign donors have expressed readiness to contribute.