Louvre museum in Paris to raise ticket prices for non-European visitors

PARIS Starting January, the Louvre Museum in Paris will increase its admission fee for visitors from outside the European Union from 22 euros to 32 euros ($25 to $37). This change is part of a long-term strategy to fund renovations following the security vulnerabilities exposed by the October 19 heist of crown jewels.

French President Emmanuel Macron had earlier announced this initiative as a component of a decade-long plan to modernize and expand the museum. The robbery, which involved the theft of jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million), underscored the immediate need for security upgrades.

The new fee will take effect on January 14. Citizens from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, which are part of the European Economic Area, will not be affected by the price increase. The Louvre's governing board officially approved the measure on Thursday.

In 2024, the museum received 8.7 million visitors, with 77% coming from abroad. The largest groups affected by the fee hike include visitors from the United States (13%), China (6%), and the United Kingdom (5%).

Louvre Director Laurence des Cars recently stated that more than 20 emergency measures have already been initiated following the robbery. She emphasized that the museum's previous renovation from the 1980s has now become outdated.

The Louvre New Renaissance project, costing up to 800 million euros ($933 million), aims to modernize infrastructure, reduce overcrowding, and provide a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031.

The October 19 heist saw thieves break into the Apollo Gallery through a window using a freight lift, cut display cases with power tools, and escape on scooters in under eight minutes. On Tuesday, Paris prosecutors announced the arrest of four additional suspects linked to the theft. The two men and two women can be held for questioning until Saturday, after which a judge will decide whether to press preliminary charges.

Author: Sophia Brooks