The French passion for old stones is undeniable. Television programs dedicated to the heritage are in full swing. Petitions and mobilizations in its favor are heating up social networks. This appetite is also confirmed by the frequent visits to heritage sites. According to the new issue of Patrimostat, the reference survey published by the Ministry of Culture on Thursday, September 19, on the eve of the 41st anniversary celebrations, national museums and monuments will host 46.8 million visitors in 2023.like that European Heritage Days.
This figure includes more than 1,200 museums in France, around 46,000 historical monuments spread between France and overseas territories, around 258 “Houses of the Illustrious”, 1,646 “notable” contemporary works of architecture, national, regional and departmental archives, gardens, “notable”, not to mention the 6,000 sites at risk reported by the Heritage Lottery.
Rue de Valois does not yet have consolidated data for all of these places, which attracted 81 million visitors in 2022. But the elements collected are already showing a real recovery. The Pantheon, highlighted by the news of the commemoration, reached one million admissions for the first time. The Musée d’Orsay saw an 18% increase in admissions compared to 2022. This improvement was confirmed outside the capital. Attendance at the Château de Fougères-sur-Bièvre (Loir-et-Cher) increased by 92% and at Mont-Saint-Michel (Manche) by 23%. Even more pleasingly, Patrimostat notes that the public is particularly revived in the national museums, with a 6% increase.
Price as foil
But the investigation is not without its drawbacks. In 2023, only a third of French people visited a museum or exhibition, almost the same number as the previous year, but far fewer than in 2019, when 41% went there. On the other hand, more (59%) bought tickets to monuments. Is heritage more popular than museums? “There is room for everyone”It puts the Rue de Valois into perspective.
Faced with galloping inflation, the French are making choices. When asked which excursions they would like to keep, 53% prefer the cinema, while 36% prefer heritage visits. Price is a barrier: 36% of cultural tour regulars have given up on heritage visits because they think they are too expensive.
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