Tickets for the Louvre in Paris have risen in price by almost 30% to €22 (£19) in the latest rise before the French capital hosts the Olympic Games in the summer.
The jump from €17 is the first price change in seven years at the world’s most visited museum, which welcomed about 8.9 million people last year.
The increase did little to put off the dozens queueing outside on a chilly Monday morning to see the museum’s treasures, which famously include the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.
Having already paid for return flights from Australia for her and her daughter, Janelle Manders, 59, said the extra €5 was not going to change their plans.
“I’d be ready to pay twice the price,” she said. “It’s a pretty rare opportunity for us and I know it’s expensive to keep this kind of institution running,” she added, saying she was particularly keen to see the ancient Greek Venus de Milo sculpture.
Others were less convinced. “I find that a bit much for a cultural site,” said Andrea, 70, an Italian theatre worker.
The Louvre said the increase was necessary to cover rising energy costs – their bill rose 88% between 2021 and 2022 – and the museum plans to extend opening hours.
It said 40% of visitors qualified for free tickets, including under-25s, the low-paid and unemployed, disabled people, teachers and journalists.
Other prices are also rising in the French capital for the Olympics, most notably Métro tickets, which will nearly double in price for visitors during the Games in July and August.
France managed to evade some of the high inflation experienced around the world in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although prices still rose 4.9% and 5.2% in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
By AFP
