Louvre Museum to Hike Entry Fee Amid Heist Fallout

"Last Thursday, the museum board approved the €10 (~$12) price hike for non-EU visitors, who make up the majority of the museum's annual attendance, starting January 14. The Louvre projects that the yearly multi-million-euro revenue increase will help fund its security system overhaul and massive renovation in the wake of the brazen daytime heist that took the institution by surprise."

"Within weeks of its implementation, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the 2026 price hike for non-EU visitors as the museum would soon proceed with operation "Nouvelle Renaissance," which will completely update its security and accessibility measures, temperature controls, and fire- and water-proofing throughout the building; alleviate pinch points for overcrowding and add additional entries; and, most notably, and develop a new and improved visitor experience for the Mona Lisa, who will be getting her own room at long last."

"With an estimated price tag of up to €800 million (~$930 million), "Nouvelle Renaissance" was hatched in light of Louvre President Laurence des Cars's written warning to Macron elaborating on the museum's myriad shortcomings and necessary repairs. Following the theft of the nation's crown jewels in October, however, the museum's egregious security oversights have been publicized extensively after des Cars's testimony to the French Senate."

Non-EU visitors to the Louvre will be charged €32 (~$37) per ticket beginning January 14 after a €10 increase approved by the museum board. Non-EU visitors comprise the majority of annual attendance and the museum expects the additional revenue to finance a security system overhaul and a massive "Nouvelle Renaissance" renovation. The project will update security and accessibility, improve temperature controls, and add fire- and water-proofing, ease overcrowding with new entries, and create a dedicated room and new visitor experience for the Mona Lisa. The renovation is estimated to cost up to €800 million following publicized security failures and thefts.

Read at Hyperallergic