Versailles Palace to Raise Admission Fees for Non-European Visitors Following the Louvre

A 9.4% Increase from 32 to 35 Euros

The Palace of Versailles, one of France's most iconic tourist attractions, will raise admission fees for non-European visitors starting early next year, following the Louvre Museum.

Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to major foreign media outlets such as AFP on December 10 (local time), the Palace of Versailles will increase admission fees for visitors from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) by 3 euros, setting the new price at 35 euros (59,000 won) from January 14 next year, when the gardens are paid. This represents a 9.4% increase from the current 32 euros (54,000 won). Through this adjustment, the Palace of Versailles is expected to generate an additional annual revenue of 9.3 million euros (15.9 billion won).

Last year, a total of 8.4 million people visited the Palace of Versailles, with 83% of them being international tourists. Americans accounted for 15% of annual visitors, making up the largest proportion among foreign visitors, ahead of China (6%) and Italy (6%).

The decision to increase admission fees for non-Europeans at the Palace of Versailles stems from the Ministry of Culture's differentiated pricing policy. In an interview with Le Figaro in January this year, Minister of Culture Rachida Dati stated, "My position on this issue is very clear. I want non-European visitors to pay more for admission, and for this additional amount to be used for the restoration of national heritage." Emphasizing a 'genuine shift' in pricing policy, Minister Dati added, "The French alone should not be obliged to bear all the costs."

Under this policy, the Louvre Museum will also raise admission fees for non-European tourists from the current 22 euros (37,000 won) to 32 euros (54,000 won) starting next year, a 45% increase. The Louvre expects to generate several million euros in additional annual revenue through this fee hike.

Other attractions, such as the Op?ra Garnier and Sainte-Chapelle in Paris, as well as Ch?teau de Chambord in the Loire Valley, also plan to introduce differential pricing based on visitors' countries of origin.