The innovation applies only to those who are not citizens or residents of countries that are part of the European Economic Area (EU states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The French government plans to invest the additional funds received in the costly reconstruction of the Louvre and strengthening security measures.
The Louvre Palace, built and rebuilt since the late 12th century, has been the official residence of the kings of France for centuries. Louis XIV’s decision to move his court to Versailles, on the outskirts of Paris, and the French Revolution made it possible to open a museum in the empty halls in 1793.
It is the most visited museum in the world. Last year, almost 9 million people visited the museum, and two-thirds of them were visitors from abroad. The price of tickets will affect, first of all, American and Chinese tourists, who make up the largest groups of foreign visitors. The last time the price of admission changed in early 2024, rising from 17 to 22 euros.
Additional funds are needed for the reconstruction of the Louvre, which will last about 10 years. Its cost is estimated at more than a billion euros.
Among other problems of the museum, also implying the need for additional funding, are insufficient security measures. This was clearly demonstrated by a daring robbery on October 19, 2025, when priceless historical jewelry was stolen in broad daylight. After that, a wave of publications appeared in the press criticizing the Louvre’s management for its commitment to high-profile acquisitions and renovation projects instead of ensuring the security of one of the world’s largest museums.
It is expected that the increase in prices for entrance tickets will bring an additional 20 to 30 million euros a year. At the same time, interest in the museum is only expected to grow, with the number of visitors expected to increase from the current nine million to almost twelve million a year.
