Louvre tickets and passes

Standard admission and who pays what

Buying tickets for the Louvre is not as simple as one price for everyone. The museum runs a tiered system based on where you live and how old you are. As of 2026, standard admission is €22 for residents of the European Economic Area (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) and €32 for everyone else. Both prices cover the permanent collections and any temporary exhibitions running at the time, plus same-day or next-day entry to the Musée national Eugène-Delacroix nearby.

Children under 18 enter free regardless of nationality. EEA residents between 18 and 25 also get in at no cost. The price gap between EEA and non-EEA visitors catches some people off guard. If you hold dual citizenship or residency in an EEA country, bring documentation — a passport or national ID from that country will do. The savings are worth the effort.

Free admission days and who qualifies

The Louvre opens for free on the first Friday of every month after 6 p.m., from September through June. July and August are excluded. Bastille Day, July 14, is also free for all visitors. Even on free days you need to book a time slot — showing up without one means joining a longer queue and possibly being turned away during busy periods.

Several categories of visitors qualify for free admission year-round: people with disabilities and one companion, art teachers working in EEA schools, ICOM and ICOMOS members, accredited journalists, and French residents receiving unemployment benefits or income support. Valid proof is required in every case.

Booking ahead versus buying at the door

You can technically buy tickets at the museum, but there is no real advantage to it. Booking online lets you select a specific time slot, which means you skip the ticket office queue and walk straight to the security check. During peak months — roughly April through August, plus school holidays in February and October — the difference between having a reservation and not having one can be an hour or more of standing in line under the glass Pyramid.

On quieter weekdays the gap narrows, but even then a time slot saves you a few minutes and removes the uncertainty of whether your preferred entry window is full.

Passes and memberships

The Paris Museum Pass covers the Louvre along with dozens of other institutions across the city. If you plan to visit more than two or three museums during your stay, comparing the pass price against individual tickets often works out in your favour. The pass also gives you a dedicated entrance queue, which helps at the busiest times.

The Amis du Louvre membership starts at €22 per year and grants unlimited free entry plus priority access through the Passage Richelieu. For repeat visitors or anyone staying in Paris long enough to come back twice, it pays for itself after a single return visit.

Guided tours and audio guides

A general admission ticket gets you through the door, but the Louvre also offers guided tour slots at €12 (full price) or €9 (reduced). These are separate from admission — you need both a museum ticket and a tour booking. Audio guides cost €6 and cover more than 150 works in nine languages. They are worth considering if you want some structure without committing to a fixed group schedule.

Before you book

Tickets are non-refundable and locked to a specific date and time. You cannot modify them after purchase. If your plans are uncertain, hold off until you are sure of the day, but do not wait too long during peak season — popular time slots fill up days in advance.

Browse our selection of tickets, skip-the-line passes, and combination deals below. Each listing spells out what is covered, how entry works, and what to expect when you arrive at the museum.