Does it feel like travel expenses are climbing across the board?
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If you answered yes, get ready—one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations has announced a hefty price hike. Paris’s world-famous Louvre Museum recently announced plans to hike entry fees by 45% for non-EU visitors.
Why, you might ask?
Part of the reason is the infamous heist that occurred on October 19th—it’s had a wide enough impact that multiple museums across the country are revisiting their security measures. Another reason is simply updating the façade and interior. Some structures date back to the 1100s when Le Louvre was a palace for royalty, not a museum.
That being said, whispers about raising the entry prices for Louvre tickets predate the heist, according to a CNN report. The hiked prices were announced earlier in the year, although exact numbers weren’t set out.
Currently, employees at the Louvre are on strike over poor working conditions and low pay. One motivation is also to protest the price hike aimed at non-European visitors.
Rising cost of Le Louvre tickets: what do travelers need to know?
Starting on January 14, 2026, individual tickets will rise to $37 a piece for all travelers arriving outside the European Economic Area. On the same day, prices for group visits with a guide will cost $32.40 per person.
The EEA is a special designation for countries in the European Union (remember, it’s different than Schengen), plus Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. In short, that means that Americans need to buck up for the boosted price.
If you’re visiting Paris next year, keep an eye out for incoming ETIAS updates, as well. You might need to apply for a visitor visa before arriving. According to recent updates, the ETIAS should go live in April 2026.
