Ticket office, Mona Lisa and new entrance: this is the new Louvre

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📌 Read in : Français (French)

Whether you’re an art lover, a tourist in a hurry, or simply curious, visiting the Louvre is often an anticipated, almost central moment of a stay in Paris. But it’s also sometimes dreaded, as organizing it can become a headache. On January 28, 2025, Emmanuel Macron made several major announcements regarding the most visited museum in the world, raising many questions among the public. Behind the official speeches, what does all this actually mean for you, the future visitor? What will be the new features in terms of ticketing, tour itineraries, access, or even services? This is what we’re going to decipher.

A popular museum… to be restored

In recent years, the Louvre has regularly been in the spotlight. With an annual visitor count that sometimes exceeds nine million, it faces a dual challenge: properly welcoming an increasingly international audience while preserving its colossal historical and artistic heritage.

Problems of dilapidation have been reported on numerous occasions, particularly with regard to air conditioning, security, and the condition of certain rooms. It is in this context that Emmanuel Macron intervened: the stated objective is to modernize the reception area, strengthen security, and improve visitor circulation.

The French president mainly outlined areas for reflection, and it is still too early to know which measures will actually come into effect in the near future. In other words, this is not a turnkey renovation plan, but rather a range of proposals that will need to be technically and financially evaluated. With a timetable, however.

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Towards a new entrance to the Louvre

The image of the pyramid, designed by Ieoh Ming Pei, has been inseparable from the Louvre since its inauguration. However, the considerable crowds at peak times, combined with security checks, regularly result in congestion and long queues.

The idea of ​​adding a second entrance has been raised. Studies are exploring the possibility of creating or renovating another access point, on the museum’s eastern façade, at the level of Perrault’s colonnade. This project, which will include an architectural competition, is expected to be inaugurated by 2031 and will be entirely funded by the museum’s own resources, at no cost to the taxpayer. This is, in any case, Emmanuel Macron’s desire.

The Mona Lisa moved

For art lovers who dream of getting close to the Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile, another major change is on the cards: the French head of state has announced the relocation of Leonardo da Vinci’s work to a dedicated exhibition space under the Cour Carré.

This autonomous zone will have its own access mode, separate from the rest of the museum, as well as its own ticket. The goal is clear: to regulate the constant flow of visitors and allow for better preservation of the iconic painting. Organizers hope to offer visitors a more intimate encounter with the famous Mona Lisa, free from the usual congestion of the Louvre’s flagship galleries.

Differentiated pricing that is causing debate

The issue of pricing was also discussed. To help finance future renovations, Emmanuel Macron asked the Minister of Culture to develop “differentiated pricing.”

In other words, foreign visitors from countries outside the European Union will see their entry fees increase from January 1, 2026. This is not without raising the hackles of those who advocate for a fair and inclusive culture in France.

Tiered pricing is nothing new for many international museums and tourist attractions. For example, the Metropolitan Museum in New York abandoned its voluntary contribution system in 2019 and adopted a flat rate of $30. However, New York residents and students from Connecticut and New Jersey can still benefit from free admission, illustrating a form of tiered pricing. In Beijing, admission to the Forbidden City is free for Chinese nationals, but foreigners must pay around 10 euros.

Its introduction at the Louvre would still represent a first in France. Other major tourist sites such as Mont-Saint-Michel, the Arc de Triomphe, or the Sainte-Chapelle could also consider this measure in the future. Museums have understood that, in general, the further away tourists come, the less sensitive they are to admission prices. This economic logic could therefore justify the planned increase in prices for non-European visitors to the Louvre.

A budget that meets the challenges

The resulting budget will be allocated primarily to two major projects. On the one hand, the new entrance and its associated spaces represent approximately €400 million. On the other hand, upgrading the technical facilities and modernizing the infrastructure will cost an additional €300 million to €400 million. Beyond these figures, the museum hopes to stabilize its attendance at nearly twelve million annual visitors, demonstrating the confidence it has in this major project.

To prepare for your next visit, it will be essential to take these upcoming transformations into account. In the short term, access to the Pyramid will remain, but you should expect possible renovations that could temporarily alter the routes. In the longer term, orientation within the museum, queues, and reservations will likely be impacted by the opening of the new entrance. As for purchasing tickets, pay close attention to price announcements, especially if you are travelling with family or accompanying non-European relatives.