French museums: a Lavish Lifestyle at the Public's Expense?

The Court of Audit's annual report reveals that the amount of public funds allocated to museums has risen 58% in 10 years. In its 200-page report, the audit institution reproaches museums failing to turn to the private sector and donors to help meet their ever-increasing expenses. Sponsors are often eager to participate in restoration or renovation work; yet often what is required in exchange is downright chilling. Hence the Apollo Gallery at the Louvre nearly bore the name of the oil giant Total! Talk about a close call! The Court of Audit also highlights the high maintenance and renovation costs of museums in France. Much work is currently underway (the Grand Palais, the Picasso Museum, the Museum of Civilization in Marseille, etc) for a total of one billion euros – "twice as much as the previous decade." This is painful to hear in times of shortage, of reduced purchasing power, and of a gloomy political climate for low-income households. However, French museums have never attracted as many visitors as they do now. French museums occupy four places in the top-ten list of most visited museums in the world. Yet those living in rural areas seem not to have benefited from this "attempt to democratize." And most unfortunately, young people are visiting museums less frequently despite increased youth incentives. The number dropped from 17% to 15%, a figure that includes school groups! One reason is of course the ticket price of those not entitled to reductions, namely the parents of young children. In ten years, ticket prices increased by 35% in the Louvre and by 160% in the Centre Pompidou. Going to museums is no longer a priority for families, nor is it included in Sunday strolls. But French (and especially Parisian) museums cannot solely cater to the lucrative force of an international tourism charmed by their public collections… can they?