Since the closure in 2019 due to Covid-19, the attendance of national museums was not at its best. But 2022 was the year of the museums in France. Trend or artistic curiosity ? Why visit a museum ?
2022, a record year
According to figures collected by Le Parisien, the capital’s museums recorded 4.54 million visitors in 2022. This exceptional year is explained by the return of international tourists to the capital after 3 years due to the pandemic.
But also by the renovation of some major museums such as the Palais Galliera which reopened its doors in 2021, after 4 years of work. There is also the Carnavalet museum which has seen its attendance double compared to 2016, when the work began.
Attendance at historical monuments has also exploded. The Arc de Triomphe and the Sainte-Chapelle have doubled their number of entries compared to 2021. The Pantheon is approaching the million visitor mark and the Petit Palais has recorded 34.5 million visitors. As for the Château de Versailles, it welcomed 6.9 million visitors.
These figures reflect a need and a pleasure of visit, whether for tourists or for the French population, which alone accounts for 30% of visitors. The coronavirus crisis made us realize how much culture was at hand and how important it was !
Visiting a museum on the internet
In 2020, when museums reopened, face-to-face visits collapsed but saw a meteoric rise on the internet. The health crisis has accelerated the introduction of digital technology in French museums. This has allowed institutions to keep a link with the public and, for some, to see the number of visitors to their website increase tenfold.
During the lockdown, the Louvre Museum received more than 10 million digital visits in 71 days. 17% of digital visitors were American, compared to 16% French. This access to culture at the click of a button has enabled a new type of public to discover the museum. A larger and more connected public to discover museums without having to travel.
The Heritage Day
The Heritage Day, which takes place every year in mid-September, also provides an opportunity to discover historical and cultural treasures and to access new places, often closed to the public. These visits are often free of charge to allow as many people as possible to discover the French heritage. This unique weekend of discovery touches all age groups and invites a curious public to come and learn.
Visiting a museum is not always a trend despite this new fashion on social networks. A trend that presents very well dressed people, fashionistas and fashionistos, to be taken in photos and / or filmed in museums. Once the shots are taken, they broadcast them on their Instagram or TikTok accounts.
Young people who do not necessarily visit the museum but who are looking for harmonious and artistic settings, in relation to their looks. They are many to assume this choice to seek the most beautiful museums. Their objectives, to have a minimalist feed thanks to quality visuals. Beyoncé’s video at the Louvre is one of the inspirations that many influencers choose.
Nevertheless, going to a museum is above all, a desire for culture that we have been deprived of during the health crisis. The figures for the year 2022 start a year 2023 full of novelties and discoveries to prepare 2024, the year of the Olympic Games !
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