From next year, major French museums – including the Louvre – will charge non-European visitors $10 more to visit.
The move comes as an effort to meet the ever-growing funds needed to repair major French institutions. Starting January 1st, 2026, museums like the Louvre and Château de Versailles would raise their entry fee for non-Europeans from €22 ($25) to €30 ($35). For museums like the Louvre, which houses the Mona Lisa, the new policy is expected to bring an additional €20 million each year. The money is definitely needed, since a recently leaked letter revealed that the glass ceilings of the museum are no longer watertight, and a comprehensive renovation plan over the next 15 years might cost €400 million ($450 million). The Château de Versailles similarly needs €100 million over the next 10 years for repairs.
The move has been met with mixed reactions. Many have derided the decision to go against the French values of universal access to culture and heritage. Some have also pointed out that it would be unfair to charge non-Europeans extra to view many artifacts that come from their home countries. However, others have supported the decision as it would allow museums to better maintain themselves.
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The reason why the policy only excludes non-Europeans and not non-French is that the EU regulations prevent cultural institutions from differential pricing for Europeans. There are also rumours that the new policy would not be limited to just a few museums. If implemented successfully, it could soon apply to other monuments like the Arc de Triomphe by 2027.
