The Louvre Museum in Paris will increase ticket prices for visitors from outside the European Union, raising fees from €22 to €32 (approximately $A38 to $A57) starting on January 14, 2024. This decision, approved by the Louvre’s governing board, aims to finance extensive renovations following a recent heist that highlighted the museum’s deteriorating infrastructure.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the price increase earlier this year as part of a comprehensive plan to modernize the museum over the next decade. Visitors from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, which are part of the European Economic Area, will be exempt from this price hike.
The Louvre welcomed approximately 8.7 million visitors in 2024, with foreign nationals making up 77 percent of that total. Among these visitors, Americans constituted around 13 percent, followed by individuals from China at 6 percent and the United Kingdom at 5 percent. These groups will be directly impacted by the new ticket prices.
In light of the robbery that occurred on October 19, 2023, Louvre director Laurence des Cars revealed that over 20 emergency measures are being implemented to address security concerns. The heist involved thieves entering the Apollo Gallery through a window using a freight lift, employing power tools to cut through display cases, and escaping with stolen items in under eight minutes.
The Louvre’s last major renovation took place in the 1980s, and according to des Cars, its current facilities are now technically outdated. The proposed “Louvre New Renaissance” initiative aims to modernize the museum’s infrastructure at an estimated cost of up to €800 million. This plan includes reducing crowding and creating a dedicated gallery for the famed Mona Lisa, with a target completion date of 2031.
In a related development, the Paris prosecutor’s office announced the arrest of four individuals in connection with the recent heist. The authorities are currently holding two men and two women for questioning until a judge decides whether to file preliminary charges.
The Louvre’s decision to increase ticket prices has sparked mixed reactions among potential visitors. While some acknowledge the need for upgrades and improved security, others express concerns about the rising costs of accessing one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions.
