Louvre Museum: sharp increase in admission fees for foreign visitors starting in 2026

The Louvre is preparing to review its pricing policy with a significant increase in admission prices for visitors from outside Europe starting in January 2026. This decision was made by the government at a time when the museum is reaching historic visitor numbers and preparing new projects.

A major change is in store for foreign visitors... While the Louvre Museumremains one of the most visited cultural sites in the world, the Parisian institution is preparing a new change in its prices, linked to a differentiated pricing policy desired by the State. After an initial increase in 2024, the museum is preparing to apply a new pricing structure from January 2026, with a specific – and significantly higher – rate for non-European visitors. This measure has been announced in a context of record visitor numbers, but also of increased funding requirements for the renovation of the museum and the creation of new spaces.

A 45% increase for visitors from outside Europe from 2026

In a statement at the end of November, the Louvre Museumconfirmed that a higher admission fee would apply to visitors from outsidethe European Economic Area (European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway). From January 14, 2026, these visitors will have to pay €32 for a ticket, which is €10 more than the current price, representing a 45% increase.

This approach is in line with the desire expressed by the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, to introduce a "differentiated pricing policy" aimed at strengthening the museum's resources and supporting a major museum project. The President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, had also mentioned this idea, particularly as a means of helping to finance future rooms, including the one entirely dedicated to the Mona Lisa.

While this measure is supported by the government, it is opposed by several trade unions at the Louvre, which denounce it as price discrimination targeting a section of the international public.

Musée du Louvre: record attendance!

In a press release, the museum's president, Laurence des Cars, drew up her annual balance sheet for 2023: the museum welcomed over 8.7 million visitors in 2023, 3.6 million of whom came free of charge. Among them were young people under 26, job-seekers, teachers, disabled people, art world professionals... By 2024, the institution expects to welcome almost nine million visitors, maintaining its current daily attendance of 30,000.

To accommodate more visitors while maintaining the same capacity, the Louvre has set up a number of different events: evening events, festivals, guided tours, school visits... According to the museum's director, these changes entailed additional costs.

A museum more popular than ever

Already in 2023, the president of the Louvre, Laurence des Cars, revealed that attendance exceeded 8.7 million visitors, including 3.6 million free admissions. In 2024, the museum was expecting a new record, with nearly nine million visitors expected, despite a daily limit of 30,000 admissions.

Foreign visitors now make up the overwhelming majority of visitors:

77% come from abroad,
including 23% from the US,
and 6% Chinese.

To accommodate this influx of visitors while maintaining a smooth visitor experience, theLouvre is offering a wide range of options: evening openings, festivals, guided tours, school programs, and more. These measures increase operating costs, particularly in a context where certain expenses—such as energy—have skyrocketed.

"To support this important effort to open up to its local audience and to maintain a satisfactory quality of reception, (...) while coping with rising costs (e.g., +88% in energy expenses), the Louvre Museum is announcing a new pricing structure in 2024, with an admission ticket costing €22," the press release also explained.

An already differentiated pricing policy

Currently, several categories of visitors enjoy free admission to the Louvre:

young people aged 18 to 26 residing in the European Economic Area,
people with disabilities,
job seekers,
recipients of minimum social benefits,
certain art and education professionals.

The Ministry of Culture has confirmed that these measures will not be called into question in the future pricing reform, as reported by our colleagues at BFMTV.

However, the museum also plans to introduce a specific admission fee for the future room dedicated to the Mona Lisa, which would function as a separate space. This project is still in the planning stages, however.

Musée du Louvre: discover the artistic and tourist heart of the capital
The Musée du Louvre, one of the capital's must-see museums, promotes French and European culture through its many masterpieces on display, as evidenced by the 8 million visitors a year who come to contemplate the smile of the Mona Lisa or the fervor of Liberty Guiding the People. A place steeped in history, where art has been flourishing for two centuries already, to discover if you're staying in Paris! [Read more]