Admission to the Louvre museum in Paris increased by nearly 30% on Monday, from 17 to 22 euros (between 18.50 and 24 dollars) due to inflation and the increase in the energy bill.
It had been seven years since the Louvre, the most visited museum in the world, had not increased its prices.
The large museum in the heart of Paris welcomed around 8.9 million people last year.
The increase did not deter dozens of people who lined up outside on a cold Monday morning.
After spending more than $5,000 on plane tickets from Australia for herself and her daughter, Janelle Manders, 59, said the extra five euros wasn’t going to change her plans.
“I would be willing to pay double the price,” she told AFP. “It’s a pretty unusual opportunity for us, and I know it’s expensive to keep this kind of institution going,” she added, saying she was especially interested in seeing the Venus de Milo.
Others were not so convinced.
“It seems a little expensive to me for a cultural site,” said Andrea, a 70-year-old Italian tourist.
The Louvre says the increase is necessary to cover rising energy costs: its bill rose 88% between 2021 and 2022.
The measure will also serve to extend opening hours.
The museum remembers that 40% of visitors currently do not pay: those under 18 years of age regardless of nationality, people with low income and unemployed, people with disabilities, teachers and journalists.
Other prices are also rising in the French capital, which is preparing to host the Olympic Games in July and August.
The price of a subway ticket will almost double during the Games in July and August.
France suffered inflation of 4.9% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022, respectively.
Source: Ambito
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