We expected to see the name of Bernard Arnault emerge at the Louvre, who aims to open a new entrance, Place du Louvre, to ease the flow of visitors, a project whose cost of 450 million euros turns out to be well worth it. too huge for public funds. It is finally on the Left Bank, at the Musée d'Orsay, that the billionaire will provide his support through a partnership established for the period 2026-2030 with his flagship, Louis Vuitton.
Read the survey (in 2023): Article reserved for our subscribers How Bernard Arnault, the richest man in the world, is expanding his empire beyond luxury
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According to information from Mondethe leather goods manufacturer should allocate 20 million euros to finance work to renovate the entrance aimed at improving the reception of visitors and reducing queues. The project, which will last for the museum to open between 2025 and 2028, includes a renovation of the square, the restoration of the entrance marquise as well as the rehabilitation of the hall, the columns and the top of the nave. To streamline visitor traffic, the exit will be relocated to the Quai de Seine.
Possible loans of works
Exchanges between Bernard Arnault and the museum date back to the mandate of Laurence des Cars, today president of the Louvre. They were strengthened during the visit to Orsay of Christophe Leribault, now in charge of the Palace of Versailles. In January 2023, the LVMH group enabled the acquisition for 43 million euros – 90% tax-free – of a painting by Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894), Boat party (1877-1878), classified three years earlier as a national treasure. The same year, the museum hosted a Louis Vuitton fashion show and displayed an advertising banner on its facade.
Read the story (in 2023): Article reserved for our subscribers The Musée d'Orsay is enriched with a Caillebotte painting estimated at 43 million euros
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The marriage of art and luxury could reach a new milestone. According to information from Mondethe agreement between Orsay and Vuitton could include a surprising provision: loans of works from the museum's collections to the future flagship of Louis Vuitton, located at 103, avenue des Champs-Elysées, whose facade is today hidden by a huge monogrammed metal trunk which had irritated the elected Parisian environmentalists in the fall. This immense store, the largest ever opened by the leather goods manufacturer, should include, in addition to 6,000 square meters of sales area, 3,500 square meters of showrooms to tell the story of the brand. “As of today, nothing has been decided”evades someone close to the case, without denying the information.
