Since September 1, visiting the municipal museums of Strasbourg has cost more. The full price goes from 7.50 to 9 euros, an increase of 20%, and the reduced price from 3.50 to 5 euros (+43%). The Zoological Museum already had a price of 9 euros. The new municipality led by Catherine Trautmann justifies this overhaul by the need to increase the network’s own resources and to finance the significant investments that await it.
The pass grid is also revised. The 1-day Pass goes from 16 to 20 euros and, even more, from 8 to 15 euros at the reduced rate. The 3-day Pass, previously sold for 20 euros, is disappearing. In return, there is a Palais Rohan Pass for 20 euros, giving access to the three palace museums and the Heitz gallery, and annual subscriptions: 45 euros for one person, 55 euros for a duo and 110 euros for four people, with preferential rates for residents of the European Community of Alsace and the Eurodistrict.
The reform also puts an end to certain free services. Elected and former elected officials from Strasbourg and the Eurometropolis as well as community officials must now pay the reduced rate, except when they visit a museum as part of their duties. The main social measures, however, are maintained: free admission for those under 18, job seekers, certain social assistance recipients, disabled people and their companions, as well as the first Sunday of the month.
The municipality relies in particular on the report of the regional chamber of accounts devoted to Strasbourg museums. This noted that the price of 7.50 euros was in the lower range of comparable municipal museums. In 2023, 55% of admissions were free and only 17% were at full price, for 1.55 million euros in ticket revenue. However, the chamber did not formally recommend an increase: it recommended a study in order to “rebalance” the pricing policy in favor of revenue intended for the conservation and promotion of collections. She also considered the gratuities granted to elected officials and agents to be unjustified.
According to The Latest News from Alsace who relays the information, Pierre Jakubowicz, deputy for culture, puts the expected additional revenue at around 520,000 euros per year. They must in particular contribute to the climate adaptation of often fragile buildings. This summer, the Palais Rohan, the Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame and the Aubette had to close occasionally when temperatures exceeded 35°C in certain rooms.
The change in political direction is notable. In September 2022, faced with soaring energy costs and staffing difficulties, Jeanne Barseghian preferred to temporarily reduce opening hours. “I refuse to increase prices”explained the environmentalist mayor. The comparison must nevertheless be nuanced: it was under his mandate that the entry price had already increased from 6.50 to 7.50 euros in 2022. The new majority therefore goes further by now explicitly making ticketing one of the financing levers for the renovation of the network.
