Starting January 14th, the entry fee for non-EU citizens will go from the current 22 euros to 32 euros per person. (no increase for EU citizens) This follows a recent general increase from 17 to 22 euros (for all) on January 1st 2025. This is expected to help improve the current difficult financial situation of this widely visited museum.
The French Government announced that it now allows such differential fees starting in 2026; expect other museums to follow suit.
The French Government announced that it now allows such differential fees starting in 2026; expect other museums to follow suit.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyd4llgrego
I am not sure it is a reaction to the US move. It has been in the pipeline for a while now.
French Unions are not happy about it btw, so there may be strikes or protests and another change of heart by the French government yet. Seems they like any excuse for a protest.
I am not sure it is a reaction to the US move. It has been in the pipeline for a while now.
French Unions are not happy about it btw, so there may be strikes or protests and another change of heart by the French government yet. Seems they like any excuse for a protest.
From what we've read, EU residents, at least permanent residents, who are not EU citizens do not have to pay the EU increase. Where is the official announcement that specifies citizenship and excludes permanent residency?
Why is this a big deal, just because it is the Louvre? I know some people think Europe revolves around the US, but it doesn't. Some US media had to headline this as raising fees for Americans, when it was anyone who wasn't an EU resident. They've always had different entry fees for Eu residents and not, such as being free for age 18-26 if you are an EEA residents. Other museums in Europe have differential rates for local residents/citizens or not, I think. Seems fair to me, as locals pay the taxes for it to a large extent.
A few more are joining the non-resident (sorry for the confusion) parade it would seem: Sainte-Chapelle, Chambord, Versailles, Opéra de Paris among others.
For info. (I am not suggesting this is right or wrong)
For info. (I am not suggesting this is right or wrong)
The extra €10 wouldn't deter me from visiting the Louvre (I'd like to think they'll use the extra Euros toward better security). The non-resident charge to visit the Met in NYC doesn't deter me. I've argued that America's National Park annual pass should cost more than the meager $80 even for Americans. We two empty nesters pay the same amount as a family/carload of four or six, and use ½ to ⅓ of the resources (restrooms and other public facilities.) For the National Parks there should be tiered pricing like so many museum memberships. And, the fee increase is only for a handful of national parks; that's not terribly different from cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Venice, Hallstatt, and so forth from limiting tourist activity.
Yes, I for one and others from the US would gladly pay the extra cost if it were used to help beef up security and ensure priceless valuable pieces from being simply walked off the premises... like security cameras and staff who act if they see a bunch of guys smashing glass cases. They can call it the Security Restoration Fee to rebuild and revamp their security systems that have fallen into disrepair or are tragically outmoded. Were the jewels ever recovered?
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The reason it doesn't apply to EU nationals is somebody would file a complaint with the EU.Originally Posted by hetismij2
Christina - the UK rags had it as a price rise for Brits, so news outlets will always aim it at their audience.".
I think 15 years ago Venice brought in a discounted day ticket for transit that was only for Venetians. Took maybe a month before somebody hired a lawyer to file a complaint with the EU.
Venice said fine. They ditched the discounted single ride/ day pass and replaced it with a monthly pass. The single ride price OTOH SOARED.
I noticed none of the people that felt insults by the discounted fare offered to pay income tax in Venice.

I know why it applies to EU residents. One of the benefits of being in the EU.
The Museumkaart in the Netherlands is also only available to EU residents if you want the full thing.
I don't have a problem with countries giving their citizens a good deal on things. I probably wouldn't pay for the annual pass for US National Parks anymore as we used to, since it gave us entry to less visited parks as well. Not sure I would want to pay $40 for an ESTA nowadays either, but I ave no plans to revisit the US anyway.
The Museumkaart in the Netherlands is also only available to EU residents if you want the full thing.
I don't have a problem with countries giving their citizens a good deal on things. I probably wouldn't pay for the annual pass for US National Parks anymore as we used to, since it gave us entry to less visited parks as well. Not sure I would want to pay $40 for an ESTA nowadays either, but I ave no plans to revisit the US anyway.
It’s a pretty shocking increase over two years though.
If you plan on visiting the Louvre several times, look into a Friend of the Louvre pass.
It will pay you back after 3 or 4 visits.
It will pay you back after 3 or 4 visits.





