Louvre Museum, the world’s most visited museum, is taking a formidable step. Starting January 14, 2024, it will make visiting dramatically more expensive for non-European Union tourists. Visitors from countries such as the US, UK, and China will be required to pay the entry fee of €32 ($37, £28) moving forward. For visitors coming from outside the European Economic Area, the cost rises by an extra €10.
This price change comes after historic jump in costs of operation. The museum’s been in the news since a high-profile October heist, but it’s been lobbying furiously to raise money for those improvements. The brazen theft involved a four-person gang who stole jewellery valued at $102 million (£76 million), raising concerns about the museum’s security and management protocols.
Even as it spends hundreds of millions on new artworks, the Louvre has allegedly devoted only a fraction of that amount to maintaining and restoring them. That gap has presented immense obstacles. For instance, a gallery with Greek ceramics was closed earlier this month due to concerns over the structure. French President Emmanuel Macron and museum officials announced plans for enhancements in January, emphasizing the need for upgrades to ensure visitor safety and preserve the museum’s extensive collection.
More than 10% of the Louvre’s visitors are from the U.S., with about 6% coming from China. The museum is counting on its new pricing strategy to attract millions of additional euros annually. These dollars are meant to anchor an update of the museum’s infrastructure and security protocols. From the start, we took the decision to increase fees for those living outside the EU. This decision is emblematic of the rising trend of soaring operating expenses in cultural institutions worldwide.
The Louvre’s management is understandably under fire for its prioritization of resources, especially in the wake of the October heist. Critics have highlighted the need for improved security measures to prevent future incidents and safeguard invaluable artworks. The museum’s creative recent choices indicate their dedication to continuing to tackle these concerns, while improving experiences for guests.