The Louvre Museum in Paris will raise ticket prices for visitors from outside the European Union starting January 14. The new rate will increase from 22 euros to 32 euros, or about $25 to $37. The Louvre Museum Paris ticket adjustment is aimed at funding a large-scale renovation plan following recent concerns over the building’s condition and security.
The museum’s governing board approved the hike as part of a broader initiative to modernize the historic site. Visitors from countries within the European Economic Area, including Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, will not be affected by the new pricing.
The measure comes after a high-profile theft of crown jewels on October 19 exposed vulnerabilities in the museum’s infrastructure. Four suspects linked to the robbery are now in custody, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.
Renovation plans and security upgrades at the Louvre
In 2024, the Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors, with 77 percent arriving from outside France. Among them, tourists from the United States made up 13 percent, followed by 6 percent from China and 5 percent from the United Kingdom. These groups are among those who will be impacted by the higher entry fee.
Museum director Laurence des Cars stated that more than 20 emergency security upgrades have already been implemented. She explained that the last major overhaul of the Louvre took place in the 1980s and no longer meets the museum’s current operational needs.
Louvre Museum Paris ticket revenue to fund overhaul
The renovation effort, titled “Louvre New Renaissance,” is projected to cost up to 800 million euros, or roughly $933 million. The project includes plans to improve infrastructure, reduce crowding, and create a dedicated space for the Mona Lisa by 2031.
Other major French landmarks are considering similar changes. The Palace of Versailles is weighing a 3-euro ($3.5) increase for non-EU visitors. At Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley, ticket prices for international visitors will rise by 10 euros ($11.6) in January, bringing the total to 30 euros ($35).
Director Pierre Dubreuil said the funds are needed for urgent restoration of the 16th-century royal wing, with costs estimated at 37 million euros ($43 million).
Dubreuil noted that many overseas visitors, including those from Australia and the United States, view a trip to Chambord as a once-in-a-lifetime experience and are unlikely to be deterred by a modest price increase.
