“Louvre Raises Admission Fees by 45% for Visitors from Outside the EU”
Most tourists from outside the EU are expected to wish to experience the Louvre before January 14, 2026. Beginning on that date, the Paris museum will raise ticket prices for guests from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) by 45%, increasing the cost from €22 to €32 (approximately $25 to $37).
Visitors from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, which are EEA agreement nations, will not be subject to this price hike, whereas visitors from the UK and Russia will incur the increased fee. According to a spokesperson for the Louvre in communication with the BBC, non-EU guests traveling in groups with certified guides will pay €28 (around $32.50) starting next year. The Louvre anticipates an additional revenue of €15 to 20 million (about $17 to 23 million) each year as a result of the price adjustment.
This change is designed to fund a comprehensive revamp following a notorious burglary last month. On October 19, 2025, four thieves made off with crown jewels valued at $102 million from the Louvre, successfully fleeing during operating hours. The theft underscored the museum’s insufficient security and deteriorating facilities, resulting in the partial shutdown of one of its wings. Acting on recommendations from France’s state auditor, the Louvre intends to install 100 external cameras by the close of 2026. A fifth suspect was formally charged on November 28, as stated by the Paris prosecutor managing the investigation.
The increase in ticket prices also aims to bolster the Louvre’s extensive renovation plans, which will feature a new entrance, a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa, updated infrastructure, and enhanced security protocols. This renovation is part of the “Louvre—New Renaissance” project, introduced by President Emmanuel Macron and the Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars. The initiative is expected to cost approximately €1.1 billion (around $1.3 billion), as per the French auditing body Cour des Comptes.
As the world’s most frequented museum with around 8.7 million visitors last year—77% of whom were from abroad—the Louvre plans to leverage these figures, akin to other global institutions. The Metropolitan Museum of Art charges $30 for admission, with New York residents able to pay what they can. The Masai Mara reserve in Kenya costs foreign visitors $200 per day, whereas residents of Kenya pay only $24. Additionally, the Trump administration announced that starting January 1, 2026, international tourists will have to pay a $100 surcharge to visit the U.S.’s most popular national parks.
Other museums in France are following the Louvre’s example. The Palace of Versailles will add a €3 ($3.5) fee for non-EU visitors starting January 14. The Château de Chambord has confirmed that non-European visitors will be charged €31 ($36) starting January 1, an increase from €19 ($22). Sainte Chapelle chapel and the Palais Garnier opera house are also among the institutions contemplating price increases.
To find out more about these changes in ticketing, please visit the Louvre’s website.