Paris eyes museum visitor record

Tourism officials in Paris believe 2008 could be another record year for museum visitors.

A combination of new museums and exhibitions such as the Historial Charles de Gaulle at the Invalides and free entry to some venues will push visitor numbers beyond the 7.4 million set last year.

In 2007 the Quai Branly museum of world art and culture made its first appearance in the top ten most visited museums of Paris.

Temporary exhibitions have also boosted visitor numbers – such as the Yves Klein and Albetro Giacometti shows at the Pompidou Centre which brought 799,000 through the doors.

The exhibition Cézanne to Picasso, Masterpieces from the Vollard Gallery brought an extra 482,179 to the Musée d'Orsay.

Photo: Les Invalides by Vigor