Starting January 1, three Parisian museums will be free to visitors. This experiment, which will be tested over a 6 month period, comes after a campaign led by President Sarkozy, and much contemplation by cultural officials who wonder: will free museums attract the growing number of cultureless bums that are at home watching Baywatch reruns?
The three soon-to-be free museums are: Musee Guimet, Musee Cluny, and Musee Arts et Metiers.
“The main question is simply how to inspire desire – desire for artistic experiences and culture – in people who are not familiar with these places,” said cultural Minister Camille Albanel, who once oversaw the palace at Versailles. “We’ll see if free entry is the right response.”
Other more famous museums will also have free days for youths. Once a week the Musee d’Orsay will open its doors free of charge to youths age 18-25. The Louvre is already free on Friday nights.
How does Mona stack up to Pam Anderson?
