French Ministry Selects Architecture Firms for Louvre Eastern Entrance Project
France's Ministry of Culture announced the selection of two architecture firms to design a new entrance and Mona Lisa gallery at the Louvre. The announcement followed a three-month delay in the competition process.
Le MondeFrance's Ministry of Culture announced on Monday, May 18, that Studios Architecture Paris and Selldorf Architects won the competition to design a new entrance on the Louvre's eastern façade and a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa. The announcement came five days after the jury met. The project also includes collaboration with French landscape architects Base.
The competition had been delayed from its original February schedule. The museum had recently experienced a period of internal changes following the theft of the French crown jewels on October 19, 2025. The museum's leadership transition occurred after the resignation of its president and the appointment of a successor.
The ministry provided no further details about the winning design and declined to comment. The Louvre also remained silent on the selection. Earlier rumors that the project would be abandoned proved incorrect. Studios Architecture Paris serves as the French branch of a United States-based firm that has provided executive architectural services for projects including the Fondation Louis Vuitton and Fondation Luma.
Selldorf Architects is known for work on gallery spaces and art institutions in New York and London.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- October 19, 2025
French crown jewels were stolen from the Louvre.
1 sourceLe Monde - February 2026
Original jury meeting for the Louvre entrance competition was scheduled.
1 sourceLe Monde - May 18, 2026
Ministry of Culture announced the winning architecture firms.
1 sourceLe Monde
Potential Impact
- 01
The new entrance and gallery will alter visitor flow at the Louvre.
- 02
Construction will require coordination with museum operations.
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