Louvre Museum Announces 45% Ticket Price Increase for Non-EU Visitors
Paris, France – The Louvre museum's board has approved a 45% increase in ticket prices for most visitors from non-European Union countries. This change is scheduled to take effect in early next year.
New Pricing Structure
From January 14, visitors originating from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), which encompasses EU member states, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, will be required to pay €32 ($37; £28) for entry. This represents an additional €10 compared to current rates for this demographic. Non-EU visitors entering in groups with accredited guides will also be charged €28 starting next year.
Funding and Modernization Efforts
The museum anticipates that this price adjustment will generate between €15 million and €20 million annually. These funds are designated to support various modernization initiatives for the institution, as communicated by the Louvre to the BBC.
Context and Operational Developments
The decision follows an incident in October where a four-person group conducted a jewellery theft valued at $102 million (£76 million), departing the premises within minutes. A subsequent official audit of the museum identified areas concerning security systems and infrastructure.
Last year, the Louvre recorded nearly 9 million visitors, with the majority originating from abroad. According to the museum, over 10% of these visitors were from the United States, and approximately 6% were from China. Concerns regarding the museum's capacity to manage large crowds, including gallery congestion and extensive queues, have been previously noted. In January, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Louvre had announced planned museum improvements and had previously suggested higher fees for non-EU residents for 2026.