Toulouse breaks a new record, museum attendance explodes!

Toulouse breaks a new record, museum attendance explodes!

Toulouse has broken a new cultural record, proving that the health crisis is now far behind! In 2023, millions of curious people flocked to museums and cult exhibitions marked the year.

An attendance record broken

It's official, Toulouse now has half a million inhabitants and more than 5 million tourists; figures that make you dizzy and which explain the record number of museum visitors. Indeed, in 2023, the Pink City recorded no less than... 3.3 million visitors to its museums, an increase in visits of 23% compared to 2022 .

Also read: The Bemberg Foundation finally reopens its doors with exceptional works and new spaces

2 new exhibitions that sparked enthusiasm

Of these more than 3 million visitors, nearly 250,000 rushed to go to the Abattoirs Musée - Frac Occitanie in 2023 (+48% ), attracted in particular by the two major exhibitions of the year: that of Niki de Saint-Phalle, the 80s and 90s, art in freedom (from 7 October 2022 to March 5, 2023) and The Time of Giacometti (from September 21, 2023 to January 21, 2024), which totaled 129,727 people.

Niki de Saint Phalle attracted thousands of curious people, helping to revive culture in Toulouse
Niki de Saint Phalle attracted thousands of curious people, helping to revive culture in Toulouse © Pauline Boucher

As for the incredible exhibition La Fabrique de l'Opéra, designed in collaboration with the Opéra national du Capitole, the latter attracted support with some 432,000 people.

Scientific culture and historical monuments in the spotlight

Also, 5 scientific culture establishments in the region (Museum, Quai des savoirs, Aeroscopia, Cité de l'espace and L'Envol des Pionniers) experienced a huge jump in attendance. of 10%. As proof, no less than 1,130,000 visitors opened the doors of these key Toulouse places, confirming that in “In Toulouse we love the future”, as the press release specifies. official press release.

Le Quai des Savoirs, one of the busiest science museums in Toulouse
The Quai des Savoirs, one of the busiest science museums in Toulouse © D.R.

Among the historical monuments of the Occitan capital, nearly 800,000 visitors have passed through the doors of the sublime Saint-Sernin basilica, currently in a final phase of renovation by the Town Hall of Toulouse, which has just chosen the artist Jean-Michel Othoniel to create the central stained glass window.

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The programming choices of the cultural sites have been crowned with success and those of 2024 are likely to be just as promising, especially since the Bemberg Foundation has reopened its doors after three years of closure and the exhibition Cathars, Toulouse in the crusade will be displayed from April 5, at the Saint-Raymond museum and the Jacobins convent. As for the Quai des Savoirs, the walls will be dedicated, from February 2, to Artificial Intelligence.

Also read: Le Quai des Savoirs unveils its new major exhibition to be discovered from February

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