A trip to the most visited museum in the world is likely to cost Canadians significantly more.
France has increased ticket prices Louvre by 45 percent for visitors from outside the European Union, a move that is fueling debate over so-called double pricing and the growing backlash against overtourism.
From this week, adult visitors from non-EU countries, including Canada, will have to pay €32 instead of €22 to enter the Paris landmark. That’s an increase from about 35 to 52 Canadian dollars.
Visitors from EU countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway continue to pay the cheaper tariff.
The price increase comes as the Louvre struggles with repeated labor strikes Sensational jewel heist in daylight Last October, that led to a costly safety overhaul and years of chronic overcrowding. The museum attracts around nine million visitors every year.
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Some Canadian tourists told Global News they felt they were being unfairly targeted.
“We did not cause the robberies or any other incidents and we are bearing the consequences,” said Allison Moore, who was traveling to Paris from Newfoundland with her daughter. “(In) Canada, we do not discriminate in pricing.”
Others argue that tourists incur higher costs simply by traveling long distances.
“In general, I think it should be a little cheaper for tourists than for locals since we have to travel all the way here,” said Darla Daniela Quiroz, another Canadian visitor. “The price should be the same or a little cheaper.”
Even some Europeans question the two-tier system. A French tourist interviewed outside the museum said there was “no reason” to charge non-Europeans more and that the fee should be the same for everyone.
Tourism experts say the Louvre’s financial pressures explain the decision.
“The Louvre is really strapped for cash at the moment and needs to do something,” said Marion Joppe, a professor at the University of Guelph. “You can’t really look at the government, which is already struggling with its own budget.”
The move also reflects a broader global pushback against mass tourism. Anti-tourism protests have spread in parts of Spain, New Zealand has increased its immigration tax and the United States recently increased national park fees for foreign visitors.
“Take Paris – it attracts about 50 million tourists every year,” said Julian Karaguesian, an economist at McGill University. “That’s about a million a week. The city is simply not built for such numbers.”
Despite the higher price, many visitors say they will still wait in line to see the Mona Lisa and other famous works of art at the museum.
“It’s one of the main attractions. It’s on everyone’s list,” Moore said. “We’ll still go and hopefully it’ll be worth it in the end.”
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