1,339, 1,340… Around 3 p.m., the manual visitor counter continues to rise this Sunday, May 5, at the entrance to the Bordeaux Museum. As usual, municipal museums are free on the first Sunday of each month. In the middle of the Public Garden, the science and nature collections attract many families. “We almost triple the number of visitors with free entry,” underlines Céline Garot, head of the Museum’s educational service.
On the side of the Museum of Fine Arts (Musba), it is approximately the same increase. “We reached 1,500 entries while we usually welcome between 500 and 600 people,” explains an employee. A little further, at the Aquitaine Museum, this represents an increase of 15 to 20%, according to deputy director Katia Kukawka. If we add the Heritage and Heritage Days as well as the evenings, the museums are accessible, without paying, around two weeks per year. “As students, it encourages us to come,” observe Victoria and Antoine who are discovering the Aquitaine Museum for the first time.
“The people of Bordeaux know it”
“The people of Bordeaux know it and take advantage of it,” says the deputy director. Tourists come anyway, but they are very happy when we tell them it’s free. » A necessary passage, perhaps, but it is also an opportunity to visit several museums. “I did the Fine Arts this morning, the Aquitaine Museum now and I will finish with the Museum,” explains Xin Mu, a Chinese tourist who is spending a few days in Gironde. I didn’t realize they were free, but I’m not going to complain. »
A.T.
Before the opening, the queue was already several meters long, this Sunday, May 5, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Bordeaux.
Being free gives the opportunity to see or rewatch certain remarkable works. As soon as the Musba opens, crowds flock to view two paintings by Édouard Manet and Claude Monet, on loan from the Musée d’Orsay, until June 10. “We’re taking this opportunity to come back,” declare Frédérique and Lionel Teyssières before seeing the master paintings. “We will come back before they leave,” they say as they leave the Rosa-Bonheur wing of the museum. “Temporary collections are always very successful during these openings,” says an employee.
For several years, the Museum of Fine Arts has wanted to rejuvenate its audience. “We have more and more young people thanks to the communication we do on social networks,” he confides.
A.T.
The sun is still hesitant, so families have chosen the museums, this Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Bordeaux.
Equipped with their strollers, families are also there. “Last month, we visited the Museum. Free access motivates us, but with children, we target,” indicate Lucile and Ludovic, accompanied by Louise and Léon.
Enliven museums
These days are also an opportunity to set up highlights. At the Beaux-Arts, guided tours, organized by the Tourist Office on Saturdays, are moved to Sundays to accompany visitors. “We offer different activities: screenings, debates, thematic visits,” lists Katia Kukawka, deputy director of the Aquitaine Museum. That Sunday, two cultural mediation projects came to an end.
A.T.
Museums are developing on social networks to try to attract young people.
The first wants to introduce the museum and its professions to young people between 16 and 25 years old in integration. The third edition of “Regards Croissants” includes theater workshops with actor Pierre Lefranc or yoga sessions, with Éva Mageaud, to give them confidence. The conclusion of two months of work, this partnership between the Second Chance School and the alternative paid daily work system (Tapaj) benefited seven young people.
A.T.
The members of “Regards Croissants” were at the Musée d’Aquitaine, this Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Bordeaux, to conclude their project.
“Words at the museum” is the other project led by Mélissa Brun and Marion Belleville, cultural mediators. Around ten women in emergency accommodation in Mérignac are showing people around the Aquitaine Museum in their original language. Swahili, Malinké, Agni… many languages are represented. For two months, these women prepared the presentation of a work that is close to their hearts. This Sunday, it’s up to them to play. Without hiding a slight stress, the presentation to the public makes their adventure a reality.
“These are ways of hammering home that museums are for everyone,” underlines the deputy director. Indeed, these initiatives and free access have the same goal: to make culture accessible to as many people as possible. “No matter our income, we all benefit from discovering all the arts,” concludes Monica, a Spanish tourist.
