The entire range of museums (free and paid) showed an overall increase of 19% in July and August 2008 compared to the same summer period in 2007.
For the museums in the city of Nice (Archaeology Museum, Fine Arts Museum, Matisse Museum, Mamac, Naïve Art Museum, Terra Amata Museum), the increase is 54.6% compared to the same summer period in 2007. In this regard, it is noteworthy that some museums that were already free before July 1, 2008, seem to have been invigorated by the free access to all structures.
Detailed statistics (compared to 2007 attendance):
• Archaeology Museum: 7,145 entries, an increase of 67.4%.
• Fine Arts Museum: 7,866 entries, an increase of 50.1%.
• Matisse Museum: 28,386 entries, an increase of 21%.
• Mamac: 33,746 entries, an increase of 13.8%.
• Naïve Art Museum: 5,881 entries, an increase of 183.3%!
With 54% foreign visitors, the year 2008 has substantially the same profile as 2007. However, Nice residents (+10.4%) visited their museums more in July and August 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.
These are very encouraging results for this free offer, which could be extended in the coming months to all museums in the new urban community.
