
British tourists to pay more to visit the Louvre, Macron announces
Mr Macron said that non-EU visitors will pay a higher entrance fee to visit the Louvre, the world's most-visited museum, which is plagued by overcrowding and outdated facilities.
Brand new underground rooms and a new entrance near the River Seine will be part of the gallery's overhaul, which is expected to take years to complete, Mr Macron said from the room where Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece is displayed.
The renovation is expected to cost hundreds of millions of euros. Mr Macron did not disclose the cost
Mr Macron's speech came after Louvre director Laurence des Cars recently expressed his concern regarding the 'very poor condition' of the museum's spaces, with reports of water leaks, temperature variations and other issues 'endangering the preservation of artworks'.
The latest overhaul, which dates back to the 1980s when the iconic glass pyramid was unveiled, now appears outdated, Ms des Cars said in the note to culture minister Rachida Dati, seen by Le Parisien.
Insulation in the building is poor, the director stressed, and the building tends to amplify noise, making it an uncomfortable space for the public and staff. There is also a notable lack of food offerings and bathrooms, she added.
An official at the French presidency, who could not be named due to customary practices, said: "We're faced with a collective challenge. That is, how can we adapt the Louvre to expectations, welcome visitors from across the world in comfortable conditions and also be leading a commitment for artistic and cultural education?"
Ms des Cars asked for the issue of Mona Lisa's display to be 'reassessed', proposing a relocation of the attraction to its own dedicated room.
It is currently shown behind protective glass in the museum's largest room, often overcrowded with tourists looking to take a snap of the painting. Other paintings by great painters, such as Titian and Veronese, go unnoticed as a result.
But Mr Macron declared that the painting would be given a new home with a dedicated entrance in the plans.
Renovation work at the former royal palace is expected to be very costly and technically complicated, but the cost of proposed upgrades has not yet been laid out.
Half of the Louvre's budget is financed by the French taxpayer, including the wages of the 2,200 employees. The other half is paid for by private income including ticket sales, restaurant and shop earnings, along with patrons and donors - including the United Arab Emirates' licensing of the brand name for the Louvre Abu Dhabi museum in a special deal with France.
The last major renovation was designed for the Louvre to receive 4 million annual visitors - but the museum received 8.7 million visitors last year, with more than three-quarters being foreign visitors largely from the US, China and neighbouring European countries.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourists book 'hotel' for Italian holiday but arrive to something totally different
Matt Hey was excited to spend a few days of his European holiday relaxing at a resort in Sorrento, but he was in for a big surprise when he arrived at the accommodation A tourist was left baffled after arriving at what he believed was a luxury resort in Sorrento, Italy, only to find that his party were the only guests there. Matt Hey, from Sydney, Australia, had been travelling across Europe for four weeks, living in cheap accommodation in cities like London, Rome and Pisa to make the most of the experience travellling with friends. However, the party then decided to splash out on their next accommodation. As they were heading towards the Italian coastal town Sorrento, they decided to book in to what they believed was a luxurious resort by the sea. However, they soon realised their mishap when they arrived at their holiday destination. Taking to TikTok, Matt was seen recounting the moment they realised their "hotel resort" ended up coming with a lot more than they'd expected. "I'm just baffled, I'm honestly baffled," Matt said at the start of the video as he looked out over the view of the nearby sea. "This is bizarre." "So we got here, we walk through the gates up there," Matt said pointing to the gates in question. "We walk down here because Google Maps just said it was at the end there. We walk all the way down here and I'm saying 'wow, isn't this nice and peaceful and quiet.'" He went onto say he started to think it was weird that they hadn't seen another person on the premises. As they get to the main building, he goes onto explain that he first thought it looked like someone's house before assuming it's the reception area where they could check in, or possibly one of the rooms. "Anyway, so then I'm like, let's go around looking this way and we'll have a look," he said before the video cut to them arriving at a different area. "And we get down here and this is what I see." Warning: Below video may contain offensive language He went onto show a big patio with a view of the sea. There were also some tables and chairs to sit down at, but again not a single other person could be seen. He then turned the camera once again towards the house, which has a balcony with a big glass door on the first floor. "There's like a little wedding reception area sort of thing," he said before turning the camera to a different door of the house with white curtains hanging from it. They then walked closer to the end of the patio, which showed that the "hotel" was located right on a cliff which looked down onto the bright blue water, with a beach right below them. "Looks amazing, right? So I'm thinking, 'why haven't I seen anyone yet?'" he questioned, before revealing that a woman suddenly walked up to them asking if they needed help. Matt went onto say that he'd told the woman that they were in the wrong place, but said they were looking to check in to their room, to which she replied she'd call the concierge. They then continued to explore the area, finding another area that looked like a "wedding dance floor" according to Matt, who said he believed there must be smaller villas for them to stay in. The concierge then met them, and they proceeded to do the check in at one of the sitting areas by the dancefloor, before he handed them the key. He then took them to the house, which also looked like it'd been decorated for a wedding. "And to be clear, we thought we were getting a hotel," he said. "Don't get me know, I'm not complaining, we're going to have a beautiful time here. But we didn't need an entire wedding venue. I'm rattled, actually. Like, genuinely rattled." In the caption of the video, Matt revealed that they'd paid $600AUD (£292) per night to stay at Villa Antiche Mura Relais in Sorrento, which describes themselves as "villas for weddings" on their website. Taking to the comments, people were shocked when they realised just how much they'd gotten for their money. But some were also baffled as to how they'd managed to make this "mistake." "Is this Sorrento?? How is this 600 dollars?????" one baffled person asked. Another suggested: "Invite some locals round for a party not like you don't have set-up haha." "Send the details I've found my wedding venue," a third viewer said. Another person shared: "I got married in Tuscany because we got the wedding plus a full week's accommodations for 30 people for less than we would have paid for a single-day sit-down dinner wedding for 150 people at a major US city."


Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
River Island's new £56 weekend bag looks just like Louis Vuitton's £3.5k holdall
River Island just dropped a new range of bags that are giving Louis Vuitton vibes for a fraction of the price, including a £56 weekend bag to rival the designer's £3.5k holdall Summer is the season of getaways, where it's a sunny holiday abroad or a weekend staycation, which means the need for some great luggage has never been higher. That's why River Island's latest collaboration has come at the perfect time, as it launches its Morgan X River Island collection, featuring a myriad of bags just in time for your next trip. One of the standout pieces in the new collab is the Brown Morgan Lips Monogram Print Holdall Bag, which you can pick up for £56. As well as being a great bag in its own right, it also has a striking resemblance to Louis Vuitton's iconic cherry print LV x TM Keepall Bandoulière 45 Bag, which costs a much pricier £3550. Similar to the designer holdall, the Morgan Lips Monogram Print Holdall Bag comes in a dark chocolate brown colour, with a subtle repeat River Island monogram all over it in a light tan colour. It also features tan details like grab top handles, trim around the edges and buckled straps across the middle. Its stand-out signature design, though, is the lips print done by British artist Morgan Seaford, which appears all across the bag in various shades of red and pink in a hand-painted effect. You can also pick up a floral printed version, which features pink and white flowers and butterflies printed across it. The Morgan Lips Monogram Print Holdall Bag fastens with a zip top to keep everything secure, and even comes with a detachable cross body strap, making it easier to carry – especially when it's full to the brim. It also measures 27cm high, 43cm wide and 26cm deep, giving you plenty of space to pack everything you need for a weekend away. We also spotted some similar styles at Debenhams, with the Ikrush Indigo Checked Print Overnight Bag now on sale down from £50.99 to £33.99 and featuring a two-tone brown checkerboard print very similar to another of Louis Vuitton's designs. If you want something that's a true designer buy without breaking the bank, this Retro Duffel Bag from Tommy Hilfiger is also on sale for £65 down from £78. However if you want to check out the rest of the Morgan X River Island collection, you can pick up everything from cross body and shoulder bags to shopper totes and purses. Each style comes in a variety of different unique painterly designs, so you can add some fun and playfulness to your handbag collection.


Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
I stayed in the Airbnb alternative trying to do things differently
Metro Checks In to Limehome, a holiday rental platform that's hoping to give Airbnb and VRBO a run for their money. I love Spain, particularly its mainland cities; gazing at Gaudi's masterpieces in Barcelona, watching flamenco in Madrid, and of course, eating tapas anywhere, anytime, at any given opportunity. But as a British tourist, Spain doesn't always love me back. Backlash to mass tourism has snowballed in the past year, with locals complaining of overcrowding and short-term rentals wiping out affordable housing in holiday hotspots. At first glance, Limehome, a sort of Airbnb alternative which offers short-let apartments in 153 European cities, might seem like it's adding to the problem. But the strategy is different. Limehome aims to transform unused urban buildings into hotels and apartments, reducing the impact on housing for locals. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'This approach helps bring new life to city areas without impacting the availability of residential housing,' a spokesperson told Metro. They've recently acquired an office building in Paris, which will be transformed into 25 apartments, as well as an unused building in Burgos, a city in Northern Spain less popular with visitors than its famous neighbours. I headed to the Limehome in Ruzafa, Valencia's trendiest neighbourhood, to check it out. Limehome is a hotel-holiday apartment hybrid. There's no reception or concierge — it's all done via an app. You can check in online before your stay, much like you do for a flight. Then, on the day of arrival, you're sent the codes which you use to access the building. To some, this could feel impersonal, but it's quick, easy and faff-free. Opening the door to the light-filled apartment, it's clear to see that providing a clean, comfortable stay is the priority. The aesthetic is all clean lines and grey interiors, with a pop-of-red kitchen. There are a few extra touches to make the place feel cosier, such as houseplants and colourful art on the walls. If a hotel full of personality and local tips is what you're after, this isn't for you — if you'd told me I was the first person to stay here, I'd have believed you. There's no guest book or well-worn pamphlets like you might find in an Airbnb, and I didn't see a single other guest for the three days I was there. But the apartment was spotless, the kitchen stocked with everything you need (including an all-important bottle opener) and the Wi-Fi super fast. Someone visiting Valencia on business would be equally at home here as a group of friends on a city break. The apartment I stayed in had one bedroom, plus a sofa bed in the lounge/dining area. It was spacious, more than big enough for the maximum four people that could stay here. Beds were comfortable, and the bathroom was equipped with shower gel and shampoo, unusual for stays like this. As a self-catered apartment, you won't find any adds on: there's no spa or swimming pool, for example, but the standout feature has to be the cute balcony that looks out onto the street below. Small but compact, it was the perfect spot to rest my legs after a long day of sightseeing, sangria in hand, of course. A special shout-out also goes to the full-length mirror – this should be a must in every holiday accommodation, but it's not. Often, when staying in a self-service apartment, it's all about location. You're foregoing the luxury amenities of a hotel, in exchange for staying right in the action. That's certainly the case for Limehome Valencia, which is in the heart of Ruzafa, Valencia's hipster neighbourhood. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to food and drink: from aesthetically pleasing brunch spots (I liked Casa Raíz with it's cute outdoor courtyard), and some of the best tapas I've ever eaten (I lost count of the amount of plates I ordered at La Anjana) to quirky cocktail bars (La Bella De Cadiz is quite a sight to behold…). There are vintage stores and art galleries, and Ruzafa is known for being particularly LGBTQ+ friendly, with rainbow flagged adorned from various balconies and awnings. And, while it's not Valencia's most famous area for street art (you'll have to head to El Carmen for that), Rufaza feels colourful and creative. You'll still be able to spot some amazing murals if you keep your eyes peeled. You feel like you're hanging out with the locals here, who spill out of bars, and drink Agua de Valencia — a lethal but delicious cocktail — on the kerb. The only downside is that it's not exactly quiet, and it was a little noisy when attempting to sleep. That being said, as a Londoner who lives on a main road, I was able to drift out without any problems. That's not as straightforward as you might think. Limehome uses airline-style dynamic pricing driven by demand, the local market price, and the respective occupancy rate at the location. Rates rise during peak periods (such as during Valencia's famous street-festival Las Fallas in mid-March) and falls when demand is softer. At the time of writing, a standard room in Valencia for a small one-guest apartment will cost: October 8 2025: €123 per night January 14 2026: €98 per night When I first arrived, I threw open the doors of the balcony, and was immediately confronted with a banner hanging from the window of the flat opposite, with the words 'tourists go home'. Perhaps I should have opted for an alternative destination or a locally-run hotel — as Metro's Lifestyle Editor, it's not like I'm unaware of up-and-coming cities that aren't overrun with visitors. More Trending I tried my best to be a responsible tourist. I booked tours with local companies, bought produce from local suppliers at the Central Market, and ate food at restaurants owned by Spanish chefs. Yes, I may have stayed in a short-term let, but Limehome is at least attempting to do things differently. Am I trying to justify my trip to a country that welcomed a staggering 17.3 million British tourists in 2023 alone? Maybe. But I'm not ready to give up my love affair with Spain just yet. Time: Valencia is GMT +1 hours. Weather: The average daily temperature in July and August is around 31°C. Spring is much cooler, with highs of around 21°C in April. Adaptors: Plugs in Spain are type F, which has two round pins. Visas: Currently, there is no visa requirement for UK tourists visiting Spain. However, next year 2026, UK citizens will need to obtain an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System). Check in/check out: 3pm and 11am. Disability access? Yes. Limehome Valencia has a lift, which offers access to all floors. However, not all Limehome apartments are the same, and it's important to check before booking. Standout feature: The right-in-the-heart-of-it location, and little balcony. Perfect for: Limehome Valencia would suit pretty much every type and group of guest, from families to business travellers. Not right for: Those looking for a stay with bags of character. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Europe's 'Paris of the East' is an underrated gem with £37 flights and 31°C August weather MORE: Family forced to hide in their cabin during £8,000 cruise from hell MORE: European seaside town takes aim at tourists with sassy poster and begs for 'decorum'