The Louvre Museum underwent a major price change in January 2026: tickets for visitors from outside the European Union jumped to €32 — a significant increase from the previous €22. For travelers planning a trip to Paris, this update shifts the financial planning and makes it even more crucial to buy your ticket the right way to avoid paying more than necessary.
In this complete guide, you’ll find the updated 2026 prices, how to buy timed-entry tickets online, who qualifies for free admission, and the best strategies to save money at the world’s largest museum.
Louvre Ticket Prices in 2026
The Louvre’s 2026 pricing table differentiates visitors by geographic origin and age group:
Visitors from outside the European Union (including Americans): €32 per person. This is the standard adult rate for non-residents of the European Economic Area, and it’s what the vast majority of American tourists will pay.
European Union residents under 26: free entry. This freebie is for residents — not just EU citizens — who are 25 or younger.
Children and teens up to 17: free entry, regardless of nationality or country of residence. No ticket needed for visitors under 18 — just show a valid ID with date of birth.
Visitors with disabilities and one companion: free entry for the disabled visitor and one accompanying person.
EU teachers with a professional card: free entry upon presentation of proof.
Dica: Aproveite também para fazer estes passeios em Paris
Tour pelo exterior da catedral de Notre Dame + Ingresso da cripta . Duração: 2 horas
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Veja mais passeio em Paris aqui.
Free Entry on the First Saturday of the Month
One of the best ways to save at the Louvre is to take advantage of free entry on the first Saturday of every month, from 6 PM to 9:45 PM. During this window, any visitor — regardless of age or nationality — can enter the museum without a ticket.
The downside is predictable: this is one of the busiest times of the month. Many Paris locals and savvy tourists take advantage of the freebie, leading to longer-than-usual lines at the entrance. To make the most of it, arrive before 5:30 PM and queue at the Richelieu entrance (on Rue de Rivoli), which tends to be faster than the Pyramid line.
Dates for the first Saturdays of 2026: January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 4, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7, and December 5. If your Paris trip lines up with any of these dates, plan your Louvre visit for this specific time slot.
How to Buy Your Ticket Online (And Why You Absolutely Need To)
Buying your Louvre ticket online with a reserved date and entry time isn’t just a convenience — it’s a practical necessity. Here’s why:
Tickets sell out: especially during peak season (June to September) and European holidays, available entry slots for each time window sell out days or even weeks in advance. In the height of summer, it’s not uncommon for tickets for the next 7 to 10 days to be completely booked. Show up without a ticket, and you might simply not get in that day.
The box office line is brutal: on busy days, the line to buy a ticket on-site can take 1 to 2 hours. With a pre-booked, timed online ticket, you skip this line entirely — the only wait is the brief security check to enter the museum.
The price is the same: there’s no price difference between buying online and at the box office. There’s no extra booking fee for the standard Louvre ticket online.
Where to Buy Your Louvre Ticket
The only place you should buy your Louvre ticket is the museum’s official website: louvre.fr. Avoid third-party sites and resellers that tack on extra fees on top of the ticket price. The museum sells directly at the same price with no surprises.
On the official site, you pick your date and entry time (available slots are in 30-minute intervals), select the number of adults and children under 18 (who don’t need a ticket), pay with an international credit card, and receive your ticket by email as a PDF. Download the ticket to your phone before you arrive — the Wi-Fi at the entrance line can be spotty.
Your online ticket has an entry window: you need to arrive at the museum within 30 minutes of your chosen time. If you arrive early, you can wait in the covered line outside your slot. If you’re more than 30 minutes late, you might lose your slot — though in practice, staff are usually flexible with small delays.
Evening Visits: The Best Bang for Your Buck
The Louvre stays open until 9:45 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays — and these evening visits are, by far, the best experience the museum offers for seeing the artworks in peace. The ticket price is the same (€32 for non-EU visitors), but the perks are significant:
After 6 PM, the museum sheds much of the daytime tourist flow — group tours have left, families with kids have headed to dinner, and you’re left with a smaller, calmer crowd. The Mona Lisa Room at 8 PM has just a fraction of the visitors it sees at noon. The Grande Galerie of Italian paintings is nearly empty. It’s a completely different experience.
Plus, the artificial lighting creates a different atmosphere than daytime visits — especially in rooms with ornate ceilings and sculptures lit by directed spotlights. For photography, evening hours are also more rewarding: fewer people in the frame and more dramatic lighting.
To make the most of an evening visit, arrive at 6 PM, start with the most popular works (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo) while there’s still some buzz, and save the less crowded galleries (Egyptian section, Flemish paintings) for after 7:30 PM, when the museum gets even quieter.
Paris Museum Pass: Is It Worth It for the Louvre?
The Paris Museum Pass grants access to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris and its surroundings for a fixed period (2, 4, or 6 days). In 2026, prices are roughly €55 (2 days), €70 (4 days), and €85 (6 days). The Louvre is included in the pass.
The math is simple: if you’re only visiting the Louvre, the Paris Museum Pass isn’t worth it — a single ticket is cheaper. The pass starts paying off when you plan to hit at least 3 to 4 museums in a few days. For travelers hitting the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Palace of Versailles, and Musée de l’Orangerie on the same trip, the pass more than pays for itself.
One key perk of the Paris Museum Pass is that it lets you enter the Louvre without needing to reserve a time slot via the priority line — though you still go through security. For those who couldn’t snag an online ticket in advance, the pass can be a solid backup to guarantee entry.
What’s Included in Your Ticket
The standard Louvre ticket grants access to the entire permanent collection — including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities, the Grande Galerie of Italian paintings, the Mona Lisa, French sculptures, and Oriental artifacts. There’s no extra charge to see any piece in the permanent collection.
Temporary exhibitions and special events may have separate tickets with variable prices. The museum’s website always announces in advance when temporary exhibitions carry additional fees. Visits to the Napoleon III apartments and all permanent galleries are always included in the basic ticket.
Tips for Saving at the Louvre
Take advantage of the first Saturday of the month: if your trip falls on one of these dates, this is the easiest way to save €32 per person. For a couple, that’s €64 saved on a single visit.
Bring ID for all visitors under 18: kids and teens up to 17 get in free, but you need a document with their date of birth to show at the entrance. A passport or birth certificate works.
Combine with other museums: if you’re hitting more than two museums in Paris, calculate whether the Paris Museum Pass makes sense. For itineraries of 4 or more days with multiple cultural stops, the pass usually delivers solid savings.
Book in advance: don’t wait until the day before or the day of to buy your ticket. During peak season, slots sell out fast, and you might find yourself without an option for your planned date.
Go for opening or evening hours: the experience is better, the museum is less crowded, and the price is the same. There’s no reason to visit the Louvre between 10 AM and 2 PM on a peak-season day if you have schedule flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louvre Tickets
Can I buy a ticket at the entrance on the day of my visit? Yes, there’s an on-site box office, but it’s not recommended. The line can take hours, and tickets for certain time slots may be sold out. Always buy online in advance.
Is the ticket valid for the whole day or just my chosen time? The timed ticket only allows entry within the 30-minute window of your chosen time. Once you’re inside, you can stay until closing — there’s no limit on how long you stay after entering.
Can I cancel or reschedule my ticket? The Louvre allows cancellations and rescheduling with at least 3 days’ notice. Check the updated policy on the official website when you buy, as it may vary by ticket type.
Do Americans need a visa to enter France? Since September 2024, U.S. citizens with a valid passport can enter France (Schengen zone) without a visa for stays up to 90 days. There are no specific restrictions for visiting the Louvre related to nationality.
With your online ticket booked, a strategic time slot, and the tips from this guide, you’ll walk into the Louvre stress-free, without wasting money, and with plenty of time to see what really matters. Enjoy your visit!
