Louvre Museum launches fundraising campaign to restore Sphinx Cour

The Louvre Museum has launched a public fundraising campaign to finance the restoration of the Sphinx Cour, located within the heavily visited Denon Wing. The museum aims to raise 800,000 euros through its ‘Tous mécènes’ initiative to complete the necessary works.

Constructed in the mid-17th century by architect François Le Vau, the 500-square-meter courtyard requires significant repairs due to issues with waterproofing and ventilation. The project includes replacing the glass roof installed in 1934 with a new structure featuring natural ventilation, restoring the facades to fix damage caused by water infiltration, and completely renovating the flooring.

Once completed, the space is intended to serve as a calm area for visitors and will host a redesigned Roman collection pathway. The fundraising period is set to run until January 19, 2027, with construction work expected to continue through 2029. This marks a shift for the museum's patronage program, which previously focused on acquiring and restoring artworks rather than building infrastructure.