French museums open free as heatwave refuge, some forced to close

During an intense heatwave in France, with temperatures reaching 41.9°C in Bordeaux on June 22 and the hottest night since 1947, many museums are offering free admission as climate refuges. Lyon pioneered the policy in 2023, now offering free entry to Musée des Beaux-Arts, macLyon, Musées Gadagne, Musée des Confluences, and Musée Lugdunum. macLyon tripled attendance during the free weekend. Other cities follow: Nantes (Musée d'Arts, Musée d'Histoire, Chronographe de Rezé), Orléans (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Muséum pour la Biodiversité et l'Environnement, Hôtel Cabu, Centre Jeanne d'Arc), Nancy (Musée des Beaux-Arts, Muséum-aquarium until June 24), La Rochelle (Muséum d'Histoire naturelle). Tours offers free entry to Muséum d'Histoire naturelle and Musée des Beaux-Arts, reduced fee at Musée du Compagnonnage. Strasbourg reduces ticket price at Musée des Beaux-Arts. Le Mans adjusts hours at Musée de Tessé. Paris lists museums as "îlots de fraîcheur" but no free admission; Petit Palais and Musée d'Art moderne already free year-round. Some museums close due to inadequate cooling: Angers institutions closed, part of Strasbourg's Musée des Beaux-Arts closed, Palais de Tokyo closed until June 26, Louvre canceled its June 20 concert and may close some rooms.