In the Rick Steves guidebook updates it states that: "Starting April 4, 2009, admission to France's national museums and monuments is free for anyone under 25 years old," We are taking a group of 10 students to Paris and this is great news but are wondering if anyone has a list of what qualifies as a national museum or monument? That would help us know whether we should go ahead and buy museum passes for these students. Thanks.
Posted by
Ottawa, Ontario,, Canada
521 posts
Hi Jeannie,
I have seen a lot of articles online about this, but have been unable to get much information from the English-language sites.
I just found a french-language newspaper article (from Liberation) which says that they are free to anyone under 26 (so 25 and under) so long as they are EU citizens. Unfortunately it looks like us North Americans will not be included in this great offer.
If anyone wants to see the original french-language article, it is located here.
EDIT
I find it strange that we have had such a hard time finding other information, and that Rick Steves says that it is free for anyone under 25. It leads me to question that one news story and I am now searching for other information from France to see what is really true.
SECOND EDIT
Okay, it appears as though you must be an EU citizen. According to the press release from the French minister of culture, it is free for those aged 26 and under who are from the European Union.
Posted by
OP
Siloam Springs, AR, US
8 posts
Thanks Steven. I think you are right. I saw an English translation of this and it appears that the students must be from the EU. Oh well, so much for free museums!
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Are these high school students? Admission is free for people under 18. Some museums offer free admission one evening/week for anyone under 26. See the list of museums and monuments on the Paris Museum Pass site. Check each museum's Web site.
Posted by
Santa Ana, CA
1 posts
We just returned from Paris and in fact the under 25 offer is only for EU residents. Our son is 21 and was charged student rates and asked for EU ID. So we ended up getting another museum pass to cover him. Still well worth it.