( CNN ) -- Shortly after McDonald 's celebrated its 30-year presence in France , the fast-food chain is conquering one of the country 's most valued cultural institutions -- the Louvre . McDonald 's burgers and fries will be available under the glass pyramid of the Louvre . The restaurant will be serving its fast burgers in the Carrousel du Louvre , an underground shopping mall which lies under the main entrance of the museum and which still contains an ancient wall that was discovered during construction works . McDonald 's plans seem to have caused more media attention abroad than in France , but for some French outlets , the idea of combining fast food and ancient art is stomach churning . The Parisian Web site `` Louvre pour tous '' ( Louvre for everyone ) describes the company 's plans to open a restaurant in the prestigious museum as `` bad taste '' and blamed the Louvre 's directors for failing to prevent what could result in `` fragrances of fries drifting under Mona Lisa 's nose '' . Marion Benaiteau , spokeswoman for the museum , told CNN it was not their decision and declined to comment further on the issue . The Carrousel du Louvre mall is managed by Unibail-Rodamco , Europe 's largest property company , and not the museum itself . The mall , which is situated next to the most visited museum in the world , counts 8.3 million visitors a year and enjoyed a total gross sales of $ 75 million in 2008 . Le Parisien , a daily newspaper described the difference between McDonald 's and the Louvre by comparing Ronald McDonald , the restaurant 's clown character , to Venus de Milo , the famous ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite , which is on display at the Louvre . Should McDonald 's be in the Louvre ? Tell us what you think in the Soundoff box below . McDonald 's sees the opening of its new restaurant next to the home of Mona Lisa as nothing out of the ordinary . `` There are already many other restaurants in the mall , so we will only be one of the many restaurants that offer visitors their products . '' said a spokeswoman for McDonald 's in France , who declined to be named . `` There 's even a Starbucks , '' she added . Museum lovers in France are shocked about the news , but not surprised , one told CNN . `` Museums have to offer services like restaurants and boutiques , it 's completely normal , '' Jean-Michel Raingeard , President of the Federation of French Friends of Museums told CNN . What worries him , however , is the choice of shops . `` Museum directors seem to care more about the number of people they attract rather than the quality of people . Should a museum be a museum or an amusement park ? '' asks Jean Michel Raingeard , who is also the European Vice President for The World Federation of Friends of Museums . Criticism , though fierce , has not halted the plans : construction work will start soon and the restaurant should be open `` by the end of the year , '' Mcdonald 's said . The menu will also very likely stay the same . `` McDonald 's functions the same way in all of France , so there will probably be no special menus , '' the spokeswoman said .
McDonald 's to open restaurant in the mall of the world 's most visited museum . Decision has attracted criticisms there will be 'unpleasant smells ' in the museum . Comment: