Get a little French culture – for free?

A new pilot program may be a hit with budget-minded travellers.

According to an article on Expatica.com, starting January 1, 2008 fourteen museums and chateaux -- including the Cluny Museum of Mediaeval Art and Guimet Museum of Asian Arts – will offer free entry for a period of six months. The pilot project aims to make museums and cultural treasures more accessible to the public.

The article also notes that cultural heavy-weights like the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay and the Pompidou modern art museum will participate – offering free admission to 18 to 25 year olds one night of the week.

While the article doesn’t specifically address whether the offer is open to tourists, the prospect of free admission is certainly worth a look for budget travellers.