Her Minister of Culture of France says the move is necessary to “fund the renewal of the national heritage”.
While most cities have plenty of great free things to offer visitors, it’s quite common for the world’s most famous landmarks to charge an entrance fee. In France, however, some travelers may soon have to pay more than others when visiting certain attractions.
France’s Culture Minister Rashida Dati has announced plans to charge third-country nationals an extra €5 to enter some national sites, which she says is to fund their maintenance.
If introduced, the levy would likely apply first to the Louvre, where tickets currently cost €22, but attractions such as the Palace of Versailles and the Musée d’Orsay could also be subject to it.
“Is it normal for a French visitor to pay the same price to enter the Louvre as a Brazilian or a Chinese visitor?” Dati said, according to the Standard. “The French don’t have to pay for everything themselves.”
However, not everyone likes the proposal. Louvre officials are troubled by the idea of having to “police” visitors by checking whether they are EU citizens or not.
Dati is also considering introducing an entrance fee for Notre Dame, which is due to reopen in December for the first time in its history. The mayor of Paris Center Ariel Weil rejected the proposal, saying the idea of praying mantises paying was “morally shocking”. However, other famous cathedrals such as St. Paul’s in London and the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona charge visitors to enter.
