Louvre Museum Entrance Fee 2026: Official Prices, Free Entry Rules & Tour Costs
Looking for information on the Louvre Museum entrance fee?
The official Louvre Museum entrance fee in 2026 is about US$24 / €22 for EEA visitors and about US$35 / €32 for non-EEA visitors. Most adult travelers from the US and Canada should plan around the non-EEA rate unless they also qualify through EEA citizenship or residency.
Many visitors can enter free, but proof is required. Time-slot booking is still recommended, even when admission costs nothing.
- The Louvre charges in euros.
- US$ prices here are rounded planning estimates.
- Official admission includes the Louvre’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions.
- A standard Louvre ticket also includes same-day or next-open-day access to the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix.
- Free admission requires valid proof.
- Free-admission visitors should still reserve a time slot.
- Guided tours, hosted-entry options, and combo tours cost more, but they may make the visit easier.
If you only want the lowest-cost direct admission, start with the official Musée du Louvre ticketing site (ticket.louvre.fr/en). If you want a guide, hosted entry, a family-friendly route, or a Louvre-plus-Seine combo, compare the options below before deciding.
⭐ Start here: the best Louvre Museum tours to book first
Use the official site for the lowest direct admission when your time slot works. Choose one of these guided or hosted options if you want help with the route, entry logistics, family pacing, or a more complete Paris day.
- Louvre Museum Tour: Mona Lisa & Iconic Masterpieces — best guided intro for first-time visitors
- Louvre Overview, Exploration Tour and Reserved Entry — easy navigation through a huge museum
- Louvre Museum Hosted Entry and Mona Lisa Audioguide — hosted entry with self-guided flexibility
- Louvre Guided Tour with Reserved Access & Boat Cruise — smart Louvre plus Seine combo
- Louvre Guided Treasure Hunt for Families and Kids — best pick for keeping kids engaged
This guide breaks down the official Louvre Museum entrance fee, free-entry categories, proof rules, ticket inclusions, reservations, tour costs, and when paying more for a guided experience makes sense.
Best Louvre Museum Tickets and Tours at a Glance
| Ticket or tour type | Typical cost pattern | Best for | Booking angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Louvre ticket | Lowest official paid option | Independent visitors who want direct admission | Official, untracked |
| Hosted entry with audio guide | Higher than official admission | Visitors who want entry help and self-guided flexibility | Third-party hosted entry |
| Guided Louvre highlights tour | Higher than official admission | First-time visitors | Third-party guided tour |
| Reserved-access masterpieces tour | Higher than official admission | Art lovers who want a stronger route | Third-party guided tour |
| Louvre plus Seine cruise combo | Varies by inclusions | Easy Paris sightseeing day | Combo experience |
| Family treasure-hunt tour | Higher than official admission | Families with kids | Private/family guided tour |
| Private Louvre tour | Highest | Splurge travelers and repeat visitors | Private third-party tour |
💵 Budget Tip: Official tickets are usually the lowest-cost option when available. Compare that against the value of guided context, cancellation terms, and hosted entry before choosing.
Louvre Museum Entrance Fee 2026: Official Price Summary
The Louvre’s 2026 admission structure is split by EEA and non-EEA status. That matters because most US and Canadian adults fall into the non-EEA category.
The Louvre charges in euros. The US$ amounts below are rounded estimates for planning.
| Visitor or ticket category | Official 2026 fee | What it includes | Key eligibility note |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEA visitor rate | About US$24 / €22 | Louvre permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, and same-day or next-open-day Musée National Eugène-Delacroix access | EEA citizens and/or residents |
| Non-EEA visitor rate | About US$35 / €32 | Same standard Louvre admission inclusions | Non-EEA citizens and non-EEA residents, including most US and Canadian adults |
| Under 18s | Free | Standard museum admission | All nationalities; valid proof of ID required |
| Under-26 EEA citizens | Free | Standard museum admission | Valid photographic ID required |
| Under-26 qualifying EEA residents | Free | Standard museum admission | Valid photo ID plus residence permit or visa over 90 days with name and photograph |
| Disabled visitors | Free | Standard museum admission | Valid proof required |
| One companion for a disabled visitor | Free | Standard museum admission | Applies with eligible disabled visitor |
| First Friday evening free admission | Free | Standard museum admission | After 6 p.m., except July and August |
| July 14 free admission | Free | Standard museum admission | All visitors |
The standard paid ticket and the free-admission reservation both get you into the museum. The difference is whether you pay admission and what proof you need to show.
What Does the Louvre Entrance Fee Include?
The standard Louvre entrance fee includes the museum’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. It also includes admission to the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix on the same day as your Louvre visit or on the next day the Delacroix Museum is open.
A standard Louvre ticket does not include a live guide, private guide, hotel pickup, Seine cruise, or a special route through the galleries.
It also does not bypass security checks. Everyone should leave time for entry screening.
Some temporary exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon may require a specific time slot. Check the ticketing flow carefully before you finish your booking.
Any exit from the museum is final, so plan food, restrooms, cloakroom needs, and timing before you leave.
🎟️ Ticket Tip: If official Louvre tickets are available for your date, they may be the cheapest way in. A third-party tour can still be worth it if you want a guide, hosted entry, easier logistics, or a Louvre-plus-Seine combo.
Who Pays the EEA Visitor Rate?
The EEA visitor rate is about US$24 / €22 in 2026. It applies to qualifying residents and/or citizens of the European Economic Area.
The Louvre’s EEA list includes:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.
If you are relying on EEA status, bring proof. For residents, that generally means a residence permit or visa longer than 3 months.
The United States and Canada are not EEA countries. Most US and Canadian adults should budget for the non-EEA visitor rate unless they also have qualifying EEA citizenship or residency.
Who Pays the Non-EEA Visitor Rate?
The non-EEA visitor rate is about US$35 / €32 in 2026. It applies to visitors who are not residents and not citizens of the EEA.
This is the most common official adult fee for travelers from the US and Canada.
The price gap can make guided tours feel more expensive, especially for families or groups. When comparing options, look at what the tour adds beyond admission: guide time, a clearer route, hosted entry, cancellation terms where offered, or a bundled experience such as a Seine cruise.
For ticket types and booking choices, see the Louvre Museum tickets guide.
Who Can Visit the Louvre for Free?
Many visitors can enter the Louvre free, but the rules are proof-based. Bring the correct documents and do not rely on verbal explanation at the entrance.
Time-slot booking is recommended, including for free-admission visitors.
| Free-admission category | Proof or condition | Reservation note |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18s | Valid ID required | Time-slot booking recommended |
| Under-26 EEA citizens | Valid photographic ID | Time-slot booking recommended |
| Under-26 qualifying EEA residents | Valid photographic ID plus residence permit or visa over 90 days with name and photograph | Time-slot booking recommended |
| Disabled visitors | Valid proof required | Time-slot booking recommended |
| One companion for a disabled visitor | Valid proof required | Time-slot booking recommended |
| Art teachers from an EEA country | Valid card or stamped, dated statement from the educational institution; applies to plastic arts, archaeology, applied arts, architecture, and art history | Time-slot booking recommended |
| ICOM members | Valid ICOM card | Time-slot booking recommended |
| Journalists | National or international press card | Time-slot booking recommended |
| EEA job seekers | Proof of entitlement dated within the last year or showing a valid period | Time-slot booking recommended |
| EEA residents on income support | Proof of entitlement valid for less than 6 months | Time-slot booking recommended |
| All visitors on first Friday evening | After 6 p.m.; not valid in July or August | Book a ticket on the official Louvre ticketing site |
| All visitors on July 14 | Free admission day | Book a ticket on the official Louvre ticketing site |
Bring original proof where possible. Some reduced-rate and free-entry documents may not be accepted as photocopies.
⚠️ Trust Tip: Avoid street sellers and unofficial-looking “jump the queue” claims. Use the Louvre’s official ticketing site for direct tickets, or a clearly labeled third-party platform for guided tours and hosted-entry products.
Does the Louvre Offer Reduced-Rate Tickets?
The Louvre does not offer a general reduced-rate museum admission ticket. For standard entry, visitors either pay the relevant 2026 admission rate or qualify for free admission.
Reduced rates do exist for certain official Louvre activities, such as guided tours, storytime programs, and workshops.
The official Louvre activity supplement is about US$13 / €12 at full price and about US$10 / €9 at the reduced rate. This activity price covers access to the official guided tour, storytime, or workshop only.
General museum admission still applies unless the visitor is entitled to free admission.
Reduced activity rates may apply to:
- Visitors under 18, all nationalities, with valid photographic ID or proof of date of birth
- 18–25-year-old EEA citizens with valid photographic ID
- 18–25-year-old qualifying EEA residents with valid photo ID plus residency proof over 90 days
- People on French income support or an EEA equivalent, with proof
- Job seekers with a France Travail certificate or EEA equivalent dated less than 6 months
- People with disabilities, including wounded veterans, with a certifying card
- One carer per disabled visitor
- CLEF+ cardholders
- Guides and lecturers with original professional certification from the French Ministries of Culture and Tourism or the French Réunion des Musées Nationaux
Reduced activity pricing is not the same as reduced museum admission. Check both pieces before booking.
Louvre Audio Guide Price
The official Louvre audio guide costs about US$7 / €6.
It is a practical add-on if you want more context but prefer to explore independently. It is not a live guide, and it will not create a timed route for you in the way a guided tour does.
The official booking system limits purchases to 6 admission tickets and 6 audio-guide bookings per person.
Choose the audio guide if you like museum freedom. Choose a guided tour if you want a live route, more interaction, and less map-reading.
For live guided options, see our Louvre Museum tours guide.
Louvre Entrance Fee vs Guided Tour Cost
The official entrance fee is usually the cheapest paid path into the Louvre. Tours cost more because you are paying for more than admission.
That extra cost can be worthwhile if it changes the quality of the visit.
| Choice | Cost level | What you’re paying for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official ticket | Lowest paid option | Museum admission only | Independent visitors |
| Official ticket + audio guide | Low add-on | Admission plus self-guided context | Budget-minded museum fans |
| Hosted-entry option | Higher than official entry | Entry support and self-guided flexibility | Visitors nervous about logistics |
| Guided highlights tour | Higher than official entry | Guide, route, context, and structure | First-time visitors |
| Family treasure hunt | Higher than official entry | Kid-friendly route and guide | Families |
| Private tour | Highest | Personal guide time and pacing | Splurge travelers |
| Louvre + Seine combo | Variable | Museum plus river sightseeing | Short Paris stays |
If you love museums and already know what you want to see, the official ticket may be enough.
If this is your first Louvre visit, a guided highlights tour can be a better value than wandering for hours without structure.
🖼️ Museum Tip: Don’t judge a Louvre tour only by duration. A well-planned 2-hour route can be better than wandering for 4 hours without a plan.
Official Tickets vs Third-Party Tours
| Booking option | Best for | Watch for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Louvre ticket | Lowest-cost direct admission when available | Time slots, availability, final exit rules, and security checks | Official Musée du Louvre ticketing site ticket.louvre.fr/en |
| Official Louvre hours and admission page | Checking current prices, closures, free-admission rules, and late openings | Prices and rules may change; check before booking | Official Louvre hours and admission page louvre.fr/en/visit/hours-admission |
| Third-party hosted entry | Visitors who want someone to help with entry logistics | Not the same as an official guided tour; check meeting point rules | Hosted Louvre entry with audioguide |
| Third-party guided highlights tour | First-time visitors who want context and a planned route | Group size, meeting point, accessibility limits, cancellation policy | Louvre Museum Tour: Mona Lisa & Iconic Masterpieces |
| Third-party combo tour | Travelers who want to bundle Louvre plus another Paris experience | Longer day, fixed order, product-specific inclusions | Louvre guided tour with Seine cruise |
| Private or family tour | Families, splurge travelers, and visitors who need a more tailored pace | Higher price; check whether entry is included | Louvre treasure hunt for kids |
Third-party tours are not official Louvre tickets. They are separate bookable experiences that may include a guide, hosted entry, family-friendly pacing, or a bundled Paris activity.
Use them when the added service is useful. Use the official ticketing site when you only need direct admission.
Do You Need a Reservation if Admission Is Free?
Yes. Time-slot bookings are recommended for free-admission visitors.
If you qualify for free entry, choose the free-admission option that matches your situation through the online ticketing service. Bring the required proof with you.
This matters for children, under-26 EEA visitors, disabled visitors, ICOM members, journalists, and other free-admission categories.
It also matters on free-admission dates. The Louvre is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m., except in July and August, and on July 14. You should still book through the official ticketing site.
For a step-by-step timing plan, see the Louvre Museum reservations guide.
🧭 Planning Tip: The Louvre is too large to “see everything” in one visit. Pick a highlights route, book a time slot, and leave room for security checks.
Louvre Entrance Fee Rules: Validity, Refunds, and Re-Entry
Official Louvre tickets are valid only for the selected date and time. The date and time usually cannot be modified after booking.
Official tickets are generally non-changeable, non-exchangeable, and non-refundable. Refunds may apply only if the Louvre cancels or modifies the relevant service under its terms.
Your admission ticket is valid for the day, but any exit from the museum is final. Re-entry is not granted after you leave.
Security checks still apply, even with a time-stamped ticket. Do not plan a tight paid activity immediately after your Louvre visit.
Where Should You Buy Louvre Museum Tickets?
There are three useful paths: the official Louvre ticketing site, GetYourGuide, and Viator.
The best one depends on whether you want direct admission, a guided route, or a broader Paris experience.
Buy from the official Louvre ticketing site
Use the official Musée du Louvre ticketing site if your priority is lowest-cost official admission.
This is best for:
- Direct museum entry
- Free-admission reservations
- EEA or non-EEA rate selection
- Official audio-guide add-ons
- Independent museum visits
Read the terms carefully. Date and time matter.
Compare GetYourGuide options
Use GetYourGuide’s Louvre Museum ticket listings if you want to compare hosted entry, guided highlights, family options, and Louvre + Seine combos.
This can help if official times are inconvenient, you want an easier English-language product comparison, or you value cancellation flexibility where offered.
Check Viator for private and small-group tours
Use Viator’s Louvre Museum listings if you want private tours, small-group guided routes, backup inventory, or a more tailored format.
It is especially useful when you want to compare alternatives beyond the basic ticket path.
Why Pay More Than the Louvre Entrance Fee?
Paying more than the entrance fee can make sense when the extra cost improves the visit.
That is often true for first-time visitors, families, short Paris stays, and travelers who want live guide context. It can also be useful if you want hosted entry, a Louvre + Seine day, or a private pace.
A guided tour may be worth the upgrade if you want:
- A clear route
- A live guide
- Better context for famous works
- Less time spent reading maps
- Family-friendly pacing
- A bundled Paris experience
- A private or more tailored visit
Do not pay more if you do not need those extras. If you are on a tight budget, have visited before, or already know which galleries you want, official admission may be enough.
For guided options, see the Louvre Museum tours guide.
Practical Louvre Entrance Fee Tips Before You Book
Small details can change what you pay and how smoothly the day goes.
Before booking, make sure you:
- Confirm whether you qualify as EEA or non-EEA
- Bring required proof for free admission
- Reserve a time slot even when admission is free
- Check whether a tour includes admission
- Budget in euros, using US$ only as a rough conversion
- Avoid street vendors and mirror sites
- Save tickets offline
- Leave time for security
- Remember that exits are final
🚇 Transit Tip: Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre is the most useful Metro stop for many visitors. Pyramides can also work well, especially if you are coming by Line 14.
For entrances, Metro stops, and arrival planning, see the Louvre Museum location guide.
Where to Stay Near the Louvre Museum
Staying near the Louvre makes early time slots easier. It also keeps you close to the Seine, Tuileries Garden, Palais Royal, Rue Saint-Honoré, and several useful Metro lines.
| Hotel | Best for | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Regina Louvre | Classic luxury near the Louvre and Tuileries | A polished stay steps from major sights |
| Hotel Louvre Saint-Honoré | Practical Louvre-area base | Easy for early tickets and central sightseeing |
| Hôtel Thérèse | Boutique stay in the 1st arrondissement | Stylish base near Palais Royal, Opéra, and the Louvre |
| Hotel Britannique | Good-value central stay | Handy for the Seine, Châtelet, and cross-city transit |
🏨 Stay Nearby Tip: Staying near the 1st or 2nd arrondissement makes an early Louvre time slot easier. It also keeps you close to the Seine, Palais Royal, Tuileries Garden, and Opéra.
What Should You Do Next?
If you want the lowest-cost official admission, start with the official Musée du Louvre ticketing site.
If you are still comparing ticket types and booking choices, read the Louvre Museum tickets guide.
If you want a guided upgrade, compare options in the Louvre Museum tours guide.
If your dates are fixed, use the Louvre Museum reservations guide before booking.
If you are planning around crowds and timing, check the Louvre Museum opening hours and best time guide.
If you need transit and entrance details, use the Louvre Museum location guide.
FAQ: Louvre Museum Entrance Fee 2026
How much is the Louvre Museum entrance fee in 2026?
The Louvre Museum entrance fee in 2026 is about US$24 / €22 for EEA visitors and about US$35 / €32 for non-EEA visitors. The Louvre charges in euros, so US$ amounts are rounded planning estimates.
Is the Louvre free for children?
Yes. Visitors under 18 can enter the Louvre free with proof of ID. Time-slot booking is still recommended.
Is the Louvre free for EU or EEA visitors under 26?
Yes, for qualifying under-26 EEA citizens with valid photographic ID. Free admission also applies to qualifying under-26 EEA residents with valid photo ID plus residence permit or visa over 90 days with name and photograph.
Do US and Canadian visitors pay the non-EEA Louvre rate?
Usually, yes. Most adult visitors from the US and Canada should budget for the non-EEA rate unless they also qualify through EEA citizenship or residency.
Does the Louvre offer reduced-rate admission?
The Louvre does not offer a general reduced-rate museum admission ticket. Some official tours, workshops, storytime programs, and events may have reduced activity rates.
Does the Louvre entrance fee include temporary exhibitions?
Yes. Standard Louvre admission includes permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Some Hall Napoléon exhibitions may require a specific time slot.
Do free-admission visitors need a Louvre reservation?
Time-slot bookings are recommended for free-admission visitors. Choose the free-admission option matching your situation and bring proof on the day.
Is a Louvre guided tour worth more than the entrance fee?
It can be worth it for first-time visitors, families, short stays, or anyone who wants guide context and a planned route. Budget-focused independent travelers may prefer official admission.