Louvre Museum to hike ticket prices by 45% for non-EU visitors

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Louvre Museum is set to raise ticket prices for non-European Union visitors by 45% starting January 14, 2026. This decision, approved by the museum's board, aims to boost annual revenues by up to US$23 million to address structural problems and improve security.

From January 14, visitors from outside the European Economic Area, including the US, UK, and China, will pay €32 ($37, £28) to enter the museum, an extra €10 from the current rate. EU residents and citizens from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway will continue to pay the current rate, reported BBC.

The move came in response to the museum's inadequate security systems and ageing infrastructure at the world's most-visited art museum, highlighted by a brazen heist last month where a four-person gang stole jewellery worth $102 million.

Following the incident, the investigation revealed that the museum spent significantly more on buying new artworks than on maintenance and restoration.

According to a 2024 report published by the Louvre, the museum received nearly 9 million visitors, with the majority being foreigners.

There have long been calls to improve the museum's capacity to serve large audiences, with visitors frequently complaining of packed galleries and long lines.

In January, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Louvre announced museum improvements and suggested additional taxes for non-EU citizens beginning in 2026. He further stated that the Mona Lisa would be relocated to alleviate overcrowding.

The museum plans to renovate other areas and add new amenities like toilets and restaurants.

In the October brazen heist, the items stolen from the Louvre museum included a diamond-and-emerald necklace given by Napoleon to Empress Marie-Louise, pieces linked to Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense, and a pearl-and-diamond tiara once worn by Empress Eugénie.