The French government is pushing forward with plans to open its major institutions seven-days a week, following an announcement from French President François Hollande on Monday (7 September).

First outlined in October 2014 as part of the country’s 2015 budget, the Louvre, along with the Musée d'Orsay and the Château de Versailles, will open week-round from Q3 of 2015.

As inbound tourism numbers continue to rise, France’s cultural institutions are struggling with the sheer number of visitors coming through their doors, with the Louvre – the world’s most visited museum – for example, having wait times of several hours just to get in during peak season. At present, the institutions close one-day a week, with the French government hoping the move will give tourists greater opportunities to visit the often heaving museums, while the extra day will become a day for schools to bring groups of children.

"Starting this autumn, the days that the museums were previously closed to the public, whether Monday or Tuesday, will become the day for schools,” said President Hollande. “We want to offer the youth of France the chance to learn, to marvel and be moved.”