French Museum Attendance Falls Eight Points Since 2019, Ministry Barometer Shows
According to a survey released on 18 September by the ministère de la Culture and Crédoc, only 33% of individuals in France attended a museum or exhibition in the year preceding the 2025 Baromètre des sorties culturelles, a decrease from 41% in 2019 and 39% in 2024. Visits to monuments stood at 61%, down from 64% in both 2019 and 2024. Cinema engagement was reported at 57%, while live performances remained unchanged at 47%. Theatre attendance fell to 20%, and library visits increased slightly from 32% to 33%. The barometer, derived from an online poll of 3,000 participants, highlights declines in cultural activities without indicating permanent changes in behavior. Patrimostat 2026 recorded 32.8 million museum entries in 2025, reflecting a 1% rise from 2024.
Key facts
- 33% of French residents visited a museum or exhibition in the twelve months before the 2025 barometer, against 41% in 2019 and 39% in 2024
- The eight-point drop since 2019 is the largest decline among the cultural practices studied
- Monument visits stood at 61% in 2025, versus 64% in 2019 and 2024
- The Baromètre des sorties culturelles 2025 was published on 18 September by the ministère de la Culture with Crédoc
- The barometer surveyed 3,000 people aged 15 and over residing in France online
- Patrimostat 2026, published on 11 September, recorded 32.8 million entries at national museums and exhibition venues in 2025, up 1% on 2024
- The Musée national d'art moderne at the Centre Pompidou closed from September 2025
- 44% of visitors questioned associated their last visit with a stay including at least one overnight, 30% in paid accommodation and 14% in unpaid lodging, while 55% of visits involved no overnight stay
Entities
Institutions
- ministère de la Culture
- Crédoc
- Musée d'Orsay
- Musée national d'art moderne
- Centre Pompidou
- Musées de France
- Le Journal des Arts
Locations
- France
- Paris