The world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris has announced significant ticket price increases for visitors from outside the European Union, just weeks after a multi-million pound jewel heist exposed security vulnerabilities at the historic institution.
Substantial Price Increase for International Visitors
From 14 January, the entry fee for non-EU visitors will rise from €22 to €32 (£19 to £28), representing a €10 increase per ticket. The museum's governing board approved the measure on Thursday, citing the urgent need to fund comprehensive security upgrades and building renovations following the high-profile theft in October.
Laurence des Cars, the Louvre's director, revealed that more than 20 emergency measures have already been implemented since the robbery. She emphasised that the museum's last major overhaul in the 1980s has become technically obsolete, requiring immediate modernisation.
Funding the "Louvre New Renaissance" Plan
The price hike forms part of President Emmanuel Macron's decade-long "Louvre New Renaissance" renovation and expansion strategy, announced earlier this year. The ambitious plan, estimated to cost up to €800 million, aims to modernise infrastructure, alleviate crowding issues, and create a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa by 2031.
Not all international visitors will be affected equally. Nationals from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway will be exempt from the increase due to their European Economic Area membership status.
The Heist That Exposed Vulnerabilities
On 19 October, thieves executed a meticulously planned robbery, forcing their way into the Apollo Gallery using a freight lift to access a window. The criminals used power tools to break into display cases and escaped on scooters with stolen crown jewels valued at approximately €88 million (£10 million) - all within eight minutes.
The Paris prosecutor's office recently announced four additional arrests in connection with the heist, bringing the total number of suspects under formal investigation to eight. The latest detainees include two men aged 38 and 39, and two women aged 31 and 40, who can be held for questioning until Saturday.
The Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024, with foreign tourists comprising 77 per cent of attendance. The top three visiting nationalities - United States (13%), China (6%), and Britain (5%) - will all be directly impacted by the new pricing structure when planning their future visits to the Parisian landmark.
