Travelers originating from outside of Europe face a considerable increase in the cost of visiting the Louvre museum in Paris, following the announcement of plans to raise ticket prices by 45%.
Effective January 14, 2026, a single entry ticket for those arriving from nations outside the European Economic Area (EEA)—an entity encompassing the European Union member states along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway—will be priced at 32 euros (equivalent to $37), a Louvre representative informed CNN on Friday.
For individuals touring as part of a guided party, the cost will be set at 28 euros ($32.40) for each participant.
The Louvre holds the distinction of being the most frequented museum globally.
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. Antoine Boureau/Hans Lucas/AFP/Getty Images
The anticipated revenue boost from these price adjustments is projected to generate an additional 15 to 20 million euros (approximately $17-23 million) annually. This sum is earmarked for “modernizing and enhancing the Louvre to tackle structural shortcomings confronting the institution,” the spokesperson detailed.
Originally constructed starting in the late 12th century, the Palace of the Louvre served as the official seat of French royalty for centuries. It was King Louis XIV’s choice to relocate his court to Versailles, situated just outside the French capital, that paved the way for the establishment of the Louvre Museum in 1793.
Since its inception as a museum, it has attained the status of the world’s most visited museum and remains a paramount cultural destination for anyone visiting Paris.
This photograph captures a furniture lift employed by thieves to gain access to the Louvre Museum, situated on Quai Francois Mitterrand, in Paris on October 19, 2025. Robbers managed to infiltrate the Louvre and escape with jewels during the morning of October 19, 2025. France’s Minister of the Interior characterized the jewelry stolen from the Louvre Museum as “irreplaceable in value.” The minister communicated to French news outlets France Inter, France Info, and Le Monde that “three or four” perpetrators concentrated on two specific displays within the exhibition hall’s “Gallerie d’Apollon” (“Apollo’s Gallery”), concluding their daylight theft in a mere seven minutes. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP) (Photo by DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
You’ll never guess what the Louvre’s former CCTV password used to be. (You absolutely will)
Last year, the Louvre welcomed 8.7 million patrons, with visitors from the United States accounting for 13% of the total attendance, positioning them second only to French nationals.
However, the immense volume of people passing through the museum’s entrances daily has imposed significant stress upon the ancient structure—as well as its personnel.
Further complications include insufficient safety protocols, which were dramatically exposed on October 19 by a brazen daylight robbery where four individuals made off with historically valuable jewels of immense worth.
These failings were scrutinized in a report issued by a French court on November 6, which strongly criticized the Louvre’s management for prioritizing headline-grabbing acquisitions and renovation endeavors over safeguarding the security of one of the planet’s largest museums.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 19: French Crime Scene Officers gesture as they examine the cut window and balcony of a gallery at the Louvre Museum the scene of a robbery at the world famous museum on October 19, 2025 in Paris, France. France’s Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, announced the closure of the world-famous art museum on X due to the robbery taking place just after the Louvre opened to the public. It is being reported that millions of pound with of historic jewellery belonging to Napoleon and Empress Josephine has been stolen (Photo by Kiran Ridley/Getty Images)
Jewelry heist at the Louvre is latest problem to beset France’s most famous museum
Pierre Moscovici, who presides over the Court of Accounts that authored the report, stated to reporters that the robbery served as a “stark wake-up call” for the museum.
Nevertheless, the proposal to implement higher entry fees for visitors from outside the EEA was in the works before the theft occurred, as it was initially communicated by the French Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, at the start of this year.
Similar pricing adjustments are also set to be applied to other notable locations, such as the Palace of Versailles, the Sainte Chapelle in Paris, and the Château de Chambord situated in the Loire Valley, according to the spokesperson.
About the Author
