Which French president initiated the Grand Louvre project in 1981?

François Mitterrand initiated the Grand Louvre project in 1981.

The French president announced the plan on 24 September 1981, intending to devote the entire Louvre complex to museum use. The project required moving the Finance Ministry, housed in the Louvre’s northern wing since 1871, to a new site in the Bercy district.

The Grand Louvre became one of Mitterrand’s major architectural initiatives, alongside projects such as the Opéra Bastille and the Grande Arche. Its best-known feature is the Louvre Pyramid, designed by I. M. Pei and opened in 1989. The pyramid served as a new entrance and helped organize visitor circulation beneath the Cour Napoléon.

The project unfolded in phases. The renovated Richelieu Wing opened in 1993, substantially expanding exhibition space. A common mix-up is to credit Pei with the Grand Louvre itself: he designed its iconic pyramid and major architectural elements, but Mitterrand launched the overall government project.