• 2 day ago

Heatwave hits French museums: the Louvre alone lost around €1 million

The Louvre lost approximately €1 million due to reduced opening hours during this summer's heatwave. As a result, the museum was forced to cancel 60,000 tickets, and attendance from June to August fell by 9% compared to the summer of 2025, Le Monde reported.

Cancelled visits weren't the only impact on the museum's revenue. To support staff operations, they were given over 2,000 fans and 243 reusable water bottles, as well as lightweight uniforms.

The heatwave also impacted other cultural sites in France. The Centre National des Monuments (CMN), which manages approximately 100 sites, paid out €525,000 in compensation due to canceled tickets.

"The main drop in revenue is due to those who canceled their reservations," said CMN CEO Kevin Riffaud. He added that overall attendance at the organization's sites fell by 7%.

The Palace of Versailles saw a 33% drop in tourist visits this summer, with losses estimated at €260,000. The Grand Palais exhibition center lost €160,000, while the Orsay and Orangerie museums lost €70,000 and €60,000, respectively. The Palais de Tokyo reported a loss of €100,000.

French Minister for Ecological Transition Monique Barbut stated that the summer of 2026 will be the hottest in the country on record. She had previously estimated the potential damage from recurring heat waves at approximately €10–15 billion.

The intense heat wave that began in France in July lasted 23 consecutive days. In total, the country has recorded more than 50 hot days since the beginning of the year—more than in 2022, when there were 33, and in 2003, when only 22 were recorded.