France's museums to be free for under-25s

New policy to start April 4, will include Paris' Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay

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updated 4:14 p.m. ET Jan. 13, 2009

NIMES, France - French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the country's national museums and monuments will soon stop charging admission to visitors under 25.

Sarkozy says the measure will go into effect April 4. Sarkozy didn't offer any other details about the measures.

French national museums include Paris' Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay. Adult admission to the Louvre permanent collection is euro9 ($12).

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In his New Year's address Tuesday to members of France's culture sector, Sarkozy also announced the creation of a new museum devoted to chronicling the country's history. He said the future Museum of French History would be located in a "site emblematic of our history," but did not say where.

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