From January 15, 2024, the price of the Louvre ticket will therefore increase from 17 to 22 euros. The most visited museum in the world (8.7 million visitors estimated in 2023) justifies the price increase in particular by inflation in energy costs. How are visitors taking this news?
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Two long queues formed around the inverted pyramid of the Louvre. Foreign tourists are numerous, they represent two thirds of the museum’s admissions. Maria-Cécilia is Mexican. For her, it’s impossible not to stop at the Louvre: “ I don’t know when I will come back to Paris, it’s a unique opportunity for me, so I can’t see myself coming here without visiting the Louvre. »
Essential but expensive
The Louvre is a must-see place but some visitors pay entry reluctantly: “ The Louvre should be accessible to everyone. It is the most famous museum and the one that people absolutely want to visit, it should welcome as many people as possible for free. »
The Louvre insists, the ticket will remain free for disabled people or even European Union nationals under the age of 26, like Paloma: “ You have to take advantage of it now, afterwards, if it becomes too expensive, tell yourself to perhaps put your money into other visits that would be more affordable “. The Louvre has therefore recorded nearly nine million admissions in 2023. It remains to be seen whether it will keep its place as the most visited museum in the world, despite the increase in prices.
Fabulously rich collections
Opened in 1793 in a former royal palace in the heart of Paris, this great French museum is one of the tourist attractions of the French capital. It presents extremely rich collections, which range from the civilizations of the Mediterranean and the Middle East several millennia before our era to the fine arts of the 19th century. Visitors come from all over the world to admire, among other things, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci (early 16th century), the Venus of Milo (2nd century BC) or Egyptian antiquities in excellent state of conservation.
The Louvre ticket office brought in 76.5 million euros in 2023, according to the annual report. This only covers a quarter of its operating costs, the rest being financed by credits from the Ministry of Culture and by other resources, including patronage.
(With AFP)
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