Louvre Museum Plans Entry Fee Increase in Response to Heist Impact
**Louvre Museum Ticket Price Hike for Non-EU Visitors Sparks Debate**
Starting January 2025, non-European Union visitors planning to explore the iconic Musée du Louvre will face a ticket price increase. The museum board recently approved a €10 (~$12) hike, bringing the total cost for non-EU visitors to €32 (~$37) per ticket. This decision aims to boost the institution’s revenue, projected to generate an additional €15 million annually, which will fund a significant revamp of the museum’s security systems and facilities.
This price increase, slated for implementation on January 14, 2025, follows the museum’s earlier decision to raise entrance fees by €5 in early 2024 due to rising energy costs. The additional funds will support “Nouvelle Renaissance,” a comprehensive project involving updates to security, accessibility, temperature control, fire- and water-proofing systems, and improvements to manage overcrowding. Notably, the plan includes a dedicated new space for the Mona Lisa, enhancing the visitor experience.
Estimated at €800 million (~$930 million), this ambitious project was accelerated by a high-profile heist, revealing significant weaknesses in the museum’s security. The urgency for upgrades increased after the Louvre temporarily closed a Greek ceramics gallery to address structural issues.
Despite the necessity of these changes, the new pricing has sparked criticism. Some labor unions label the tiered pricing strategy as “absurd and unjust,” highlighting disparities in costs for visitors from various regions. However, visitors from the European Economic Area, including Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein, are exempt from the surcharge.
Amidst these changes, the Louvre continues to attract global visitors, with 77% of its 8.7 million annual guests coming from abroad in 2024. The United States, China, and France’s neighboring countries represent significant visitor demographics. The ticket price hike sets the Louvre apart from standard American museum entry fees, which average around $30.
The museum’s decision underscores the balancing act between financial need and accessibility, as the Louvre embarks on a vital modernization journey to preserve its status as a world-renowned cultural institution.