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Daru Staircase with the winged Nike Victory of Samothrace, Denon wing, Louvre Museum, credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen via Wikipedia
The Louvre Museum in Paris, known for its iconic Mona Lisa painting, has announced a significant ticket price increase. Effective from next month, the ission fee will rise from 17 euros to 22 euros, marking an approximately 30% hike. This change, part of the museum's broader strategy to manage rising energy costs and its free entry initiatives for locals, is set to take effect on January 15.
Though not directly linked to the Summer Olympics in Paris, this price rise reflects a general trend of escalating costs in the city as it gears up to host nearly 10 million visitors for the event, scheduled from July 20 to September 8.
In the context of the Olympics, Paris is witnessing other potential cost increases. The city's transport authority is considering doubling the Metro ticket price to around 4 euros during the Games to cope with heightened demand and operational costs. Additionally, there are expectations of higher hotel rates, raising concerns about potential price exploitation.
The Louvre's decision is part of an extensive revamping plan initiated by its president and director, Laurence des Cars, who took office in 2021. One of the significant changes proposed by des Cars includes opening a new entrance to ease the congestion at the existing Louvre Pyramid entrance. This move aims to re-attract local Parisians who have been deterred by the overwhelming tourist crowds.
The museum, housing over 33,000 artworks, has faced challenges due to the overwhelming popularity of the Mona Lisa. The crowding issue, often referred to as the “Mona Lisa problem,” has led to a decrease in local interest. To address this, des Cars has implemented a cap on daily visitors to 30,000, a reduction from the pre-pandemic highs of around 45,000.
The new ission fee will mainly impact tourists, as French nationals constitute 30% of the museum's visitors. Many of these local visitors enjoy free ission, either as children or through eligibility under various programs for EU residents under 26 or people in specific professions.
Jean Dubreil 
