Louvre Entry Fee for Americans Jumps 45% in 2026

PARIS — A visit to the Louvre is about to become considerably more expensive for U.S. passport holders. The Paris museum confirmed that, beginning January 14, 2026, travelers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will pay €32—up from today’s €22—marking a 45 percent jump in the standard entry price. The fee for EEA residents will remain €22.

Louvre entry fee for Americans jumps: what travelers should know

The Louvre, perched on the banks of the Seine and home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory, draws more visitors than any other museum on the planet. In 2024 alone, 8.7 million people crossed its threshold; in the pre-pandemic year of 2019, the figure reached 9.6 million. More than 75 percent of those visitors come from abroad, and Americans make up the single largest contingent.

By boosting ticket prices for non-EEA tourists, museum officials expect to raise as much as €20 million—about $23 million—each year. The extra revenue will help underwrite an ambitious €1.1 billion ($1.3 billion) modernization program called “Louvre — New Renaissance,” announced earlier this year by French President Emmanuel Macron and Louvre Director Laurence des Cars.

Although the Louvre’s website had not yet been updated at press time, a spokesperson confirmed the figures by email. The decision follows a similar move by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which recently raised prices for foreign visitors to American national parks.

Why the Louvre needs the money

The world’s most visited museum sits inside a former royal palace that dates to the twelfth century. Time, foot traffic, and a headline-grabbing $100 million jewel heist last October have exposed the building’s aging security and infrastructure. Leaky roofs, outdated climate-control systems, and worn galleries top the to-do list for the “New Renaissance” plan, which will renovate hundreds of rooms and add state-of-the-art security.

Emilie Girard, who heads the French branch of the International Council of Museums, framed the dilemma bluntly: “All museums in the country were at a crossroads because of rising costs,” Girard said in an interview. Cutting opening hours, she added, is the only real alternative to higher prices.

A tiered ticket trend across France

The Louvre is not alone in revisiting its pricing model. The Palace of Versailles will add a €3 ($3.40) surcharge for non-European guests on the same January 14 effective date. Paris’s Palais Garnier and the Château de Chambord are reportedly weighing similar measures.

Unions representing Louvre staff argue that foreign visitors should not shoulder the financial burden alone. “Foreign visitors shouldn’t be expected to ‘wash away’ the museum’s long-standing problems,” a CGT spokesperson said during a call with reporters, warning that higher prices could further crowd prime visiting hours as travelers attempt to maximize value.

Breaking down the new Louvre pricing

• Current ticket (through January 13, 2026): €22 ($25) for everyone.
• New ticket (from January 14, 2026): €32 ($37) for Americans and all non-EEA visitors; €22 ($25) for EEA residents.
• Projected annual revenue boost: up to €20 million ($23 million).

Children under 18 and EEA residents aged 18–25 will continue to enter free of charge, as mandated by French cultural policy.

How the change affects your Paris itinerary

With almost 500,000 objects in its collection—35,000 of which are on display—the Louvre can already feel overwhelming. The price hike makes it more important than ever to plan ahead. Online tickets will still be timed, and same-day walk-up sales, once a common fallback, are increasingly scarce.

Tips for travelers

1. Book early. Tickets are released 90 days out; prime slots sell out fast during summer and holiday peaks.
2. Consider a museum pass. The Paris Museum Pass, which covers more than 50 sites, including Versailles, may save money if you plan a heavy museum schedule—but check whether the post-2026 rates are built into pass pricing.
3. Arrive with a route in mind. The Louvre’s three wings—Denon, Sully, and Richelieu—span 652,000 square feet. Focus on a theme (Italian Renaissance, Egyptian antiquities) to avoid museum fatigue.
4. Time your visit. Wednesday and Friday offer evening hours until 9:45 p.m., when crowds thin and the Mona Lisa holds shorter lines.
5. Pack patience. Security screening is mandatory and, even with pre-booked tickets, can add 20–30 minutes during peak periods.

Comparing the Louvre with other big-ticket attractions

Even at €32, the Louvre will cost less than a one-day adult admission to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom ($164 on busy dates) or an all-access pass to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art ($30). But the tiered model signals a broader shift toward differential pricing, especially at bucket-list destinations overwhelmed by visitor numbers.

For context, here are recent attendance figures released by the Louvre:

• 2024: 8.7 million visitors
• 2023: 8.9 million visitors
• 2022: 7.8 million visitors (post-pandemic recovery)
• 2019: 9.6 million visitors (pre-pandemic peak)

Those crowds translate into long waits and packed galleries, making timed entry indispensable. The extra €10 per ticket could, theoretically, reduce visitor volume slightly, but most analysts expect demand from American travelers to remain strong.

Frequently asked questions

Will my 2025 ticket still be honored in 2026?

If you purchase a voucher or pass for a date after January 14, 2026, check the fine print. Many third-party sellers will adjust prices automatically but require a surcharge at redemption if rates have changed.

Does the Paris Museum Pass lock in the lower rate?

Not necessarily. Pass prices are typically recalibrated each January. Confirm whether the 2026 edition reflects the new Louvre fee.

Are there still free-entry days?

The first Friday evening of every month (except July and August) remains free for all visitors. Expect heavy turnout; arrive early.

What about guided tours?

Private and small-group tours purchased through licensed partners will add their own markup. Verify whether the €32 base ticket is included.

The bottom line for U.S. travelers

For Americans planning a Paris getaway after January 14, 2026, the Louvre’s 45 percent price hike is unlikely to deter a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to see Leonardo’s masterpiece. Still, budgeting an extra €10 per person—and reserving well in advance—will help ensure the experience lives up to its storied reputation.

The museum’s leadership argues that the surcharge is a fair trade-off for state-of-the-art security and upgraded galleries. Whether other global landmarks follow suit remains to be seen, but the writing on the pyramid is clear: iconic institutions are increasingly asking international visitors to pay for preservation.