After having exceeded 10 million visitors for the first time in 2018, the Louvre is slightly down with 9.6 million in 2019. But not because of the strikes against the pension reform, explains his boss Jean-Luc Martinez.
500,000 fewer visitors in 2019, doesn't that matter for the Louvre?
JEAN-LUC MARTINEZ. It should be remembered that it is only the third time in its history that the Louvre has exceeded 9.5 million visitors. We are getting used to an amazing cultural phenomenon in France. No museum in the world comes close to these figures. Attendance has reached a plateau at over 9.5 million. Me from the start, my goal is not just to welcome more people but to welcome them better.
Are strikes responsible for this decline?
No. In December, the figures are almost the same as last year.
Other museums are empty…
We, our visitors come 75% from abroad, and first of all the Americans and the Chinese who have prepared their trip. It is not a strike by the transmission lines that will stop them. We had a 20% drop in June, July and August, but on a proactive basis. This summer we declared the museum complete a number of days. It is a real turning point in the policy of this museum. For the first time, we have decided not to welcome everyone.
It was controversial…
What controversy? We consider that the quality of the visit supposes not welcoming all those who come.
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Can the Louvre afford to say "it's full"?
Yes. Our foreign visitors who are coming to the Louvre for the first time and who absolutely want to see the Mona Lisa must be received as much as possible. There is a very limited space requirement in time, in summer.
Moving the Mona Lisa in a special place, so as not to block everyone, is it possible?
This idea has been around for two centuries. But the Mona Lisa was installed in the largest hall of the museum. We don't get taller! To isolate it completely would not be absurd, but it is also a chance, the Mona Lisa. To meet the challenge of welcoming a young audience to an ancient art museum.
Are you planning to make a reservation even for permanent rooms, precisely in summer?
Today, we have compulsory reservation for the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. It is a tool that we can use as needed. But 40% of our visitors do not pay, including all young people from European countries. 40% of 9.6 million is a lot. Not technically easy to have them booked. But already, half of our visitors are booking. It is guaranteed to enter the museum in less than 30 minutes. There is no point in queuing ...
You open six new nocturnes in February for the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, which will be available on the Louvre site from January 7 at noon. Is this the last chance for those who don't have a ticket?
We make an additional gesture in February. We will be open every evening.
Aren't you going to open at night, like the Grand Palais did for Picasso or Hopper?
Should we open at night? We ask ourselves the question. Let us gradually make announcements ...