The Louvre's 2026 booking decision begins with eligibility. Since January 14, its standard price differs for EEA residents or citizens and for visitors who are neither resident nor citizen of the EEA.
Buy through the official Louvre ticket channel. The museum warns about ticket fraud and mirror sites; a third-party 'jump the queue' claim cannot remove security or guarantee a gallery route.
Planning the full trip? Compare durations, ticket priorities and routes in the Paris itinerary planner.
Official 2026 Admission
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| Visitor category | Rate |
|---|---|
| EEA resident and/or citizen | €22 |
| Non-resident and non-citizen of the EEA | €32 |
| Under 18; eligible under-26 EEA residents; other listed categories | Free with valid proof |
Conditions are detailed and proof must meet the museum's requirements. Do not select the cheaper rate from nationality alone if the eligibility wording does not fit.
Hours and Closure Days
The Louvre currently lists 09:00–18:00 on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; 09:00–21:00 on Wednesday and Friday; and closure Tuesday. Last entry is one hour before closing, and rooms clear earlier. It normally closes January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Reservation Rules
Time-slot bookings are recommended, including for many free-entry visitors. The museum says reservations are required for most visitors from July 1 through August 31, 2026, with defined exemptions. Check the visit date because special operational rules can be added.
Entrances and Arrival
The Pyramid is the main entrance. Carrousel or Porte des Lions may be available at peak times, but neither is a permanent secret entrance. Use the entrance named by the current ticket and staff. Bag rules, security and lockers affect arrival time, so read official visitor information before travel.
After Booking
Save the ticket offline, check the available-galleries list, choose a limited route and avoid an inflexible booking immediately afterward. The two-hour Louvre guide offers a highlights framework without claiming access to any closed room.
How to Use This Guide on the Day
Treat every time and price as a planning input, not a guarantee. Check the controlling venue or transport page again on the evening before the visit and once more before leaving. Save the exact entrance, ticket barcode and a same-area alternative offline. Timed admission can still involve security, bag checks, internal queues or a changed room route.
Allow more time than a routing app's fastest estimate. Paris stations can have long corridors and several exits, historic buildings may have stairs, and a wrong entrance can add a substantial walk. Travelers who require step-free access should verify each station, transfer and venue separately; an accessible attraction does not make the journey to it accessible.
Keep one element flexible around every fixed booking. A park, café, riverbank or exterior view can shorten or disappear if the previous stop runs late. If a closure or disruption occurs, replace the unavailable stop inside the same geographic area before moving across the city. This protects the rest of the route and prevents one problem from consuming the whole day.
Plan with Live Information
This guide was checked against first-party information on August 4, 2026. Paris transport, attraction access, prices, weather, strikes, exhibitions and event controls can change after publication. Reopen the official source that controls your date before paying, departing or relying on an accessible route. A timed ticket manages admission; it does not remove security, guarantee every gallery or protect a connection scheduled without buffer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Louvre in 2026?
The official standard rates are €22 for eligible EEA residents/citizens and €32 for visitors who are neither EEA resident nor citizen.
Do you have to book the Louvre?
Time slots are recommended, and the museum requires reservations for most visitors in July and August 2026.
Is the Louvre open Tuesday?
No. Tuesday is the regular weekly closure day.
Can a reseller skip security?
No. Required security remains, and the Louvre warns against fraudulent or illicit tickets.