PARIS · LOUVRE MUSEUM · TICKETS
Louvre tickets 2026: the €32 non-EU price, booking rules and what to do
A Louvre ticket costs €32 if you live outside the European Economic Area (US, UK, Canada, Australia and most other visitors) and €22 for EEA citizens and residents. That two-tier price started on January 14, 2026. Under 18s are free. From October 17 to November 1, 2026 a timed reservation is required for almost everyone, the museum is closed every Tuesday, and tickets can't be changed or refunded. Here is which ticket to buy, whether a Paris Museum Pass or a tour is worth it, and what to do when your slot is gone.
Ad / affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you book a tour through the GetYourGuide links or buy a France eSIM through the Airalo link on this page, at no extra cost to you. Links to louvre.fr, ticket.louvre.fr and parismuseumpass.fr are not affiliate links, and the official ticket site is the cheapest way in. PracticalPivot is not affiliated with the Louvre or any tour company. Prepared with AI assistance; prices, hours and rules below were read on louvre.fr and parismuseumpass.fr on October 29, 2026.
The 30-second answer
Most visitors from outside Europe: buy the official timed ticket, €32, on ticket.louvre.fr. It covers the whole museum, temporary exhibitions, and the Musée Eugène-Delacroix the same or next day.
EEA citizens or residents: €22, and free under 26 with photo ID (residents also need a residence permit of more than 90 days).
Under 18 (any nationality): free, but still book a free time slot.
Ignore "skip the line": the Louvre sells no fast-track ticket. Everyone with a ticket or a Paris Museum Pass uses the same green queue at the Pyramid.
Not Tuesday: the museum is closed every Tuesday.
Book on the official Louvre ticket site (not an affiliate link)
Official Louvre ticket prices (checked October 29, 2026)
| Who | Price | Proof to bring |
|---|---|---|
| Visitors from outside the EEA (US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan...) | €32.00 | None |
| EEA citizens and residents (EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) | €22.00 | Passport/ID or residence permit (or visa longer than 3 months) |
| Under 18 (all nationalities) | Free | ID with date of birth |
| EEA citizens and residents under 26 | Free | Photo ID; residents also a permit of more than 90 days |
| Disabled visitors + one companion | Free | Disability card |
| Everyone, first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (not July/August), and July 14 | Free | Book a free slot |
| Official guided tour or workshop (on top of admission) | €12.00 (€9.00 reduced) | Admission ticket too |
| Audio guide (can be booked in advance) | €6.00 | - |
The UK is not in the EEA, so UK visitors pay €32. Switzerland is not on the Louvre's EEA list either. The museum says there are no reduced-rate admission tickets: you pay the full rate or you qualify for free entry. Payment at the museum is in euros only (card, cash or Chèques-Vacances).
Booking rules that catch people out
| Rule | What the Louvre says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Reservation | Recommended for everyone; required for all visitors from October 17 to November 1, 2026 (a few cardholders exempt) | This week, don't turn up without a slot, even with free entry |
| Time slot | Valid only for the chosen date and time | Pick a slot you can make; there is no grace to switch days |
| Changes and refunds | None, unless the Louvre cancels or changes the visit | If your dates may move, a reseller listing with free cancellation can be worth paying for |
| Exits | Any exit is final | Eat and shop inside, or plan to leave for good |
| Hall Napoléon exhibitions | Need their own time slot | Book the exhibition slot as well as entry |
| Fraud | Warns about mirror sites and street sellers; fake tickets can be refused at the door | Type ticket.louvre.fr yourself; don't use ads that look official |
Opening hours and closures
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday and Friday | 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| January 1, May 1, December 25 | Closed |
Last entry is one hour before closing and rooms are cleared 30 minutes before closing. Some rooms close during the week for renovation; the Louvre publishes a room-closure schedule on its "Open rooms" page. The Paris Museum Pass site also warns of a national public-sector strike notice for Thursday, November 5, 2026 that may partly or fully close some museums: check louvre.fr the day before if you're going that day.
Paris Museum Pass or a Louvre ticket?
The official Paris Museum Pass includes the Louvre and costs €85 for 2 days, €105 for 4 days and €125 for 6 days (service fees apply with some sellers). The pass site says it saves money on average from the 4th visit on the 2-day pass. Pass holders still need to book a free Louvre time slot (the pass site links to the booking page), and use the same green queue at the Pyramid as ticket holders.
- Only the Louvre and one or two other sights: buy single tickets.
- Louvre + Orsay + Versailles + Arc de Triomphe in two days: the 2-day pass likely pays off; book each slot that needs one.
- Under 18, or an EEA resident under 26: skip the pass; the Louvre is already free for you.
Official ticket vs a reseller tour
| Official ticket (€32 non-EEA) | Official guided tour (+€12) | Reseller tour with entry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Lowest | €44 total for a non-EEA adult | Highest (entry + their guide/service) |
| Change or refund | No | No | Often free cancellation (check each listing) |
| Queue | Green queue at the Pyramid, or Carrousel / Porte des Lions | Activity visitors may use the Richelieu entrance | Depends on the tour; "skip the line" is not a real Louvre product |
| Best for | You know what you want to see | A first visit with an official guide | Sold-out dates, or plans that might change |
A reseller tour makes sense when every official slot for your day is gone, or when free cancellation matters because your trip isn't fixed. Check that the listing includes museum entry, not just a guide outside.
Compare Louvre tours with entry on GetYourGuide (affiliate link)
Which entrance to use
| Entrance | Who can use it | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramid (main) | Everyone: green queue for ticket and pass holders, orange queue without a ticket | The busiest; the lift is for wheelchairs and prams |
| Carrousel (99 rue de Rivoli, via the shopping mall) | Visitors with a ticket, groups, members | Often quieter; reached from the underground car park and Metro |
| Porte des Lions (Quai François Mitterrand) | Ticket holders only | Closes 6 p.m. (last entry 5 p.m.) and on Tuesdays; lockers until 3 p.m. |
| Passage Richelieu | Groups, activity visitors, members, some card holders | Not for regular individual tickets |
Nearest Metro: Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7) or Pyramides (line 14).
What to do, step by step
- Pick a day that isn't Tuesday. Wednesday and Friday evenings (open to 9 p.m.) are the longest days.
- Book on ticket.louvre.fr (type it in yourself). Choose the €32 or €22 rate that applies to you, or the free option for under 18s.
- Choose a slot you can make for sure: it can't be changed or refunded.
- Add the exhibition slot if you want a Hall Napoléon show.
- Your day is sold out? Check other times and days first, then a Wednesday/Friday evening. If the date is fixed, compare reseller tours that include entry and free cancellation.
- Bring proof of age or EEA residence if you used a free or EEA rate.
- Arrive a little before your slot at the Pyramid (green queue) or the Carrousel entrance, with your bag open for the security check.
Checklist before you go
- Timed ticket (or Paris Museum Pass + free Louvre slot) for the right date and time
- Not a Tuesday; check louvre.fr if your date is Thursday, November 5, 2026 (strike notice)
- ID for any free or EEA rate
- A plan for the rooms you want: check the Louvre's room-closure schedule the day before
- No re-entry: lunch inside or after
- Mobile data for your e-ticket and maps: France eSIM from Airalo (affiliate link), or compare options in our France eSIM guide
Also in Paris and Europe
Going up the tower too? See Eiffel Tower summit tickets. The same "official first, reseller only when sold out" rule applies to Vatican Museums tickets, Colosseum tickets and Sagrada Familia tickets.
FAQ
How much is a Louvre ticket in 2026?
Since January 14, 2026 the Louvre charges €32 to visitors from outside the European Economic Area (including the US, UK and Canada) and €22 to EEA citizens and residents. Under 18s are free, and so are EEA citizens and residents under 26. The ticket covers the permanent collections, temporary exhibitions and the Musée Eugène-Delacroix.
Do I need to book Louvre tickets in advance?
The Louvre recommends a timed online ticket for every visitor, including free-admission visitors. From October 17 to November 1, 2026 a reservation is required for all visitors except a short list of cardholders. Tickets at the museum are sold on the day only, subject to availability.
Are skip-the-line Louvre tickets real?
No. The Louvre's own FAQ answers the fast-track question by telling you to buy a timed ticket online, and its admission page warns against tickets that claim to let you jump the queue. Ticket holders and Paris Museum Pass holders use the same green queue at the Pyramid.
Is the Louvre free on the first Friday of the month?
Yes, after 6 p.m. on the first Friday of every month except July and August, and all day on July 14. The museum still advises booking a free time slot online.
Can I change or refund a Louvre ticket?
No. The official FAQ says tickets are valid only for the chosen date and time and cannot be changed, exchanged or refunded, unless the Louvre itself cancels or changes the visit.
What day is the Louvre closed?
Tuesday. It is also closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25. It opens 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday, with last entry one hour before closing.