"We Can't Be Robbed Again": Louvre Takes Drastic Action, Suddenly Raises Entrance Fee by 45%

Up to 34 Billion Won in Additional Annual Revenue Expected
69% of Louvre Visitors Last Year Were Foreigners

Last month, a jewel theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, exposed security vulnerabilities, and starting next year, the entrance fee for non-European Union (EU) nationals will be increased by 45%. On the 27th (local time), AFP reported that from January 14 next year, the entrance fee for non-EU visitors to the Louvre Museum will rise from the current 22 euros (37,000 won) to 32 euros (approximately 53,000 won). The entrance fee for visitors from EU countries will remain at 22 euros.

Starting next year, the entrance fee for the Louvre Museum will increase to 32 euros (approximately 53,000 won) for non-European Union (EU) nationals. Photo by AP Yonhap News

This increase comes not long after the museum raised the entrance fee for all visitors from 17 euros to 22 euros in January last year. The museum stated that raising the entrance fee for non-EU foreigners will help improve its finances, projecting up to an additional 20 million euros (about 34 billion won) in annual revenue. According to the museum's 2024 report, there were 8.7 million total visitors last year, with 69% being foreigners. Americans made up the largest group, followed by British and Chinese visitors. However, there has been some opposition to this increase. The French Democratic Confederation of Labour warned that eliminating the uniform entrance fee for all nationalities may be perceived as 'discriminatory.'

The museum's decision to raise the entrance fee again in just over two years appears to be a response to the aftermath of the jewel theft at the Louvre last month. On the 4th of last month, a group of four thieves raided the museum and stole eight pieces of jewelry in just seven minutes. Investigations revealed that the Louvre Museum's inadequate security system was a major issue.

Additionally, the Louvre Museum has been facing ongoing calls for facility improvements, as the aging building and increasing number of visitors have highlighted not only security concerns but also the need for upgrades. In particular, last month, jewelry worth 88 million euros (about 150 billion won) was stolen from the Apollo Gallery, the museum's royal jewelry exhibition hall, exposing a lack of security cameras and other equipment. As a result, some of the additional revenue from next year's entrance fee increase is expected to be used for extensive renovation and expansion of the museum.

Meanwhile, French police recently arrested four additional suspects in connection with the jewel theft at the Louvre Museum. However, while the Empress Eugenie's emerald crown, dropped during the thieves' escape, was recovered in a damaged state, the whereabouts of the remaining treasures remain unknown.