PARIS – The Louvre art museum in Paris will hike its basic entrance fee by 29 per cent in 2024, adding to concerns that visitors travelling to Paris for next year’s Olympic Games will face spiralling costs.

The Louvre, which is the world’s most visited museum and houses the Mona Lisa, said in a statement on Dec 8 that its entrance fee would go up in January to €22 ($31.80) from €17. It is the first price hike since 2017.

The Louvre said the higher tariff would help it deal with higher energy costs and fund free entry to certain groups, such as those aged under 18, teachers and journalists.

It did not mention the Olympics, but the Louvre’s price increase is set to coincide with other rising costs in Paris as the city prepares to host the Olympics.

Paris metro ticket prices will almost double during the Olympic Games, which start on July 26, 2024.

Visitors heading to Paris next summer also face major accommodation problems, amid soaring hotel prices and a crackdown on rentals of tourist apartments.

A report by the Paris tourism office showed that hotel prices would rise by over 300 per cent between the 2023 and 2024 summer seasons. REUTERS