The Louvre Museum in Paris announced it will raise admission prices for non-European visitors by 45% beginning January 14, 2026. Citizens from countries outside the European Economic Area, which includes the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, will be required to pay 32 euros for a ticket. The museum revealed this significant price increase on Thursday, stating that the additional revenue will be used to address structural problems within the institution.
The decision comes following a major crown jewel theft that occurred at the museum in October, which exposed serious deficiencies in the Louvre's security systems. According to a recently published report by the Court of Auditors, the heist revealed inadequate security equipment throughout the facility. The museum expects the ticket price increase to generate between 15 and 20 million euros in additional annual revenue, which will be directed toward improving these security shortcomings.
American visitors are expected to be particularly affected by this price hike, as they represent the largest group of foreign tourists visiting the Louvre. Chinese citizens, who rank third among international visitors, will also face the higher admission fees. According to official Louvre statistics, approximately 8.7 million people visited the museum last year, with foreign visitors accounting for 69 percent of total attendance.
The dramatic theft that prompted these security concerns occurred on October 19, when four thieves successfully stole crown jewels valued at approximately 88 million euros in material worth, with immeasurable historical significance. The perpetrators brazenly entered the world-famous museum in broad daylight, using a freight elevator to access the building through a window. After completing the heist, they escaped using the same route and fled the scene on motor scooters with their stolen treasures.
Following the theft, museum management faced severe criticism for inadequate security measures and protocols. In response to these concerns, Museum Director Laurence des Cars announced plans to establish a mobile police station within the Louvre premises. Additionally, the museum committed to installing 100 new surveillance cameras throughout the facility by the end of the year, significantly expanding its monitoring capabilities to prevent future security breaches.
