If you thought the Louvre was as eternal as France itself, it’s time to reconsider: the museum is set for a major change, starting as early as 2026. No more impatient tourists crowding the pyramid or panicking at the sight of the Mona Lisa — it’s time to improve the visitor experience and upgrade the infrastructure.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the museum will undergo renovations, that a new entrance system will be implemented, and that tourists from outside the EU will have to pay more. Here’s a breakdown of what’s involved.
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The Louvre is tired of the influx of tourists
If you’ve ever been to the Louvre, you know that its scale is comparable to an entire city of art. Queues can begin forming on the street, and at the Mona Lisa you risk encountering a crowd of hundreds of people with phones.
And all that would be fine, but everything ages, the halls wear out, temperatures soar, and the paintings do not appreciate it.
The Louvre is launching a global renovation that will last about 10 years.
New entrance: less queues, more convenience
The main news is that there will be another entrance. Currently, everyone enters through the famous glass pyramid, but soon it will be less crowded.
What will change?
- The eastern side of the building will have a new entrance to better distribute the flow of tourists
- Additional spacious halls will be built under the courtyard, which will reduce the density of visitors
- The project will be chosen through an architectural competition, and the opening is expected no later than 2031
«Mona Lisa» will move to a separate hall
Dzhokonda is the most photographed woman in history, but it is not easy to see her in person. Currently, she is in a common room where dozens of other paintings hang alongside her. And although the hall is huge, the crowd in front of her is impenetrable: tourists jostle, seeking the best angle, and after taking a photo, they immediately leave.
To make viewing more comfortable, the «Mona Lisa» will be moved to a separate hall. Entrance to this hall will require a separate ticket, giving you a chance to finally see Dzhokonda without a thousand raised iPhones around.
Tickets: new pricing policy
As early as 2026, the Louvre will introduce updated prices, so thrifty foreigners should hurry.
- If you’re from Europe, nothing will change for you
- But if you come from other countries, you are welcome, though tickets will be more expensive
This policy will be introduced on January 1, 2026, but the exact figures have not yet been announced.
What’s this all about? Perhaps it is intended to reduce the flow of tourists who visit the Louvre merely to tick a box, or perhaps it’s simply a way to boost the budget.
Entrance ticket to the LouvreIf you have long dreamed of a trip to Paris and have wanted to see the famous museum, now is the time to plan a trip. As early as 2026, a visit to the Louvre may cost more, and the influx of tourists could increase even further.
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