A major ticket price increase is coming to the Louvre in Paris, with non-European visitors set to pay significantly more from early 2026. The museum has confirmed that entry fees for travellers from outside the European Economic Area will rise by 45 percent.
Louvre Museum/Hongbin/Unsplash
What visitors can expect from January 2026
From 14 January 2026, individual tickets for non-EEA visitors will cost 32 euros (about R635). Travellers joining guided group visits will pay 28 euros (about R556) per person, according to CNN Travel.
Museum officials say the additional income, estimated at 15 to 20 million euros annually, will help fund upgrades to the historic complex and support long-term maintenance.
A heritage icon under strain
The Louvre Palace dates back to the late 12th century and was once the residence of French royalty. It became a public museum in 1793 and has since grown into the world’s most visited museum, attracting 8.7 million visitors in 2023.
Heavy foot traffic has added pressure on the centuries-old building and its staff. Recent security concerns were highlighted in an October jewellery heist, followed by a November audit that criticised the museum’s leadership for overlooking essential maintenance.
An increase that predates the recent heist
Despite renewed focus on the Louvre’s vulnerabilities, the pricing shift was announced earlier this year by French culture minister Rachida Dati.
The Louvre confirmed that similar fee increases will also be introduced at other major French attractions, including the Palace of Versailles, Sainte Chapelle and the Château de Chambord.
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