At the Louvre, prices had not increased for eight years, but they have just risen sharply. Entrance tickets are now 22 euros, compared to 17 euros when you booked online, and 15 when you went directly to the site. A significant increase that the most visited museum in the world justifies in particular by the increase in current costs, with the soaring price of energy and the project to extend opening hours (with a potential second night every Wednesday from April).
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However, this was not enough to discourage the many visitors present on Monday morning. Linda, who came from England, concedes that the increase is "significant" but it won't stop her from going to admire the Mona Lisa. Like her, many tourists have made the Louvre a must-see anyway. But many fear that this increase will prevent more modest people from accessing the museum. "It's unfortunate," said Almeria, an American tourist, "that such a fine art collection is becoming less accessible."
In a December press release, the museum nevertheless insisted on the number of free admissions. According to the Louvre, in 2023, 40% of all visitors and 60% of French visitors were able to enter for free, especially the youngest. The museum's management also specifies that its "very extensive free admission regime" will remain unchanged.