From 2026, a visit to the Louvre in Paris will be noticeably more expensive for non-Europeans. Instead of 22 euros, tourists from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will now pay 32 euros. This corresponds to an increase of 45 percent.
The measure will come into effect on January 14, 2026, the museum announced on Thursday. By increasing ticket prices, the museum says it hopes to generate additional income of 15 to 20 million euros per year. In January 2024, the entry price for all visitors was increased from 17 to 22 euros.
It was said that the earnings from the new price increase will be used to address “structural problems” in the museum. This includes urgently needed modernization and security measures, which have become even more urgent after the spectacular break-in in October.
The crown jewel theft on October 19th revealed “inadequate security systems,” according to a recently published report by the Court of Auditors. Crown jewels and jewelry worth 88 million euros were stolen during the break-in.
US citizens are likely to be particularly affected by the price increase: they make up the largest group of foreign visitors to the Louvre. Chinese citizens, in third place among foreign visitors, will also have to pay more admission in the future.
According to an official Louvre tally, around 8.7 million people visited the museum last year, including 69 percent from abroad.
Other French cultural sites such as the Palace of Versailles are also planning price increases for visitors from outside the European Economic Area. This currently covers 30 countries, including the 27 member states of the European Union as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.