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How to use the cultural pass in stores: a practical guide

20 Aug 2025·6 min read
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The Culture Pass is an innovative program launched by the government to facilitate young people's access to culture in all its forms.

This practical guide is designed to help you make the most of your cultural benefits by using your Culture Pass usage guide in stores.

culture pass in store

We will cover the essential steps, from activating your account to using it in stores, including eligible products and services. You will also discover tips to optimize your credit and troubleshoot any technical issues.

Whether you are a young beneficiary or a parent wishing to assist your child, this guide will walk you through the use of the Culture Pass.

What is the Culture Pass?

Launched by the government, the Culture Pass aims to promote cultural activities among young people. This innovative program offers an enriching experience by allowing beneficiaries to access various cultural offerings.

The government program explained

The Culture Pass is an initiative that encourages young people to explore the world of culture through a dedicated app. This app offers a variety of activities, including exhibitions, performances, concerts, and workshops.

Available amounts based on age

The credit allocated through the Culture Pass varies based on the beneficiary's age. Here are the details:

  • At 15-16 years old, young people have access to free offers via the app.
  • At 17 years old, a credit of €50 is granted to reserve paid cultural offers.
  • At 18 years old, an additional credit of €150 is provided, bringing the total to €200.

This credit remains usable for 3 years, until the day before the beneficiary turns 21, allowing ample time to explore various cultural offerings.

In summary, the Culture Pass is a program that promotes access to culture for young people, with credits tailored to their age.

Who can benefit from the Culture Pass?

To know who can benefit from the Culture Pass, one must understand its eligibility conditions. The Culture Pass is a program aimed at young people, allowing them to discover various cultural activities.

Eligibility conditions

The Culture Pass is accessible to young people from the age of 15. To benefit from it, one must have a account on the dedicated app. Users can then manage their personal cultural credit.

The individual share and the collective share

The Culture Pass consists of two distinct parts: the individual share and the collective share. The individual share is accessible via the mobile app or the website, allowing young people to activate their account from the age of 15. The collective share, on the other hand, is reserved for teachers to organize cultural school outings with varying amounts based on the school level.

culture pass

In summary, the Culture Pass offers a dual opportunity: a personal credit for young people and a dedicated envelope for school outings for teachers, thus promoting access to culture for all.

How to activate your Culture Pass

Activating your Culture Pass is a simple and quick step. To start, you need to download the dedicated app and create an account.

Download the app and create an account

The first step is to download the Culture Pass app on your smartphone. Once the app is installed, you can proceed to create your account by following the instructions.

After creating your account, you will receive a confirmation email to validate your registration and familiarize yourself with the expectoration culture.

Documents required for registration

To finalize your registration, you will need to provide certain supporting documents. These documents are necessary to verify your identity and your eligibility for the Culture Pass.

  • Your identity card or passport
  • A proof of residence

Credit activation

Once your information is verified, your credit will be automatically credited to your account. Depending on your age, you will receive a specific amount: €50 at 17, and €150 (or even €200 with bonuses) at 18.

The activation of the credit is instantaneous, allowing you to start exploring cultural offers immediately.

How to use the Culture Pass in stores

Using the Culture Pass in stores is a simple and quick process. It allows you to access a variety of cultural products.

how to use culture pass in store

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Steps to reserve a product

To reserve a cultural product, start by opening the Culture Pass app and selecting the product of your choice. Once your reservation is made, you will receive a QR code that you must present in the store.

Follow the steps below to reserve your product:

  • Once your reservation is made, go to the store to pick up your product.
  • Upon arrival, present the QR code generated by the app to the seller who will scan it to validate your purchase.

Presenting the QR code and identity verification

When you arrive in the store, you must present the QR code received during your reservation along with an official form of identification.

  • An official form of identification (identity card or passport) will be systematically requested to verify that you are indeed the holder of the Culture Pass.
  • This identity verification is mandatory and no exceptions are possible – photos of identification on smartphones are not accepted.
  • Once the code is scanned and your identity verified, the product will be handed over to you without additional payment if the amount is fully covered by your Culture Pass credit.

What products can be purchased with the Culture Pass?

Discover the goods and services you can purchase with the Culture Pass. The program allows access to a variety of cultural products.

Eligible cultural goods

The Culture Pass allows for the purchase of cultural goods such as books, CDs, DVDs, video games, and tickets for cultural events like concerts, theater performances, or exhibitions.

Young people can also use their Culture Pass to attend workshops, internships, or training in the field of arts and culture.

Unauthorized products and services

Some products and services are not eligible for the Culture Pass. These include school or extracurricular books, high-tech equipment such as computers, tablets, smartphones, or cameras, escape games, sports-related purchases, and transportation services.

  • Sports activities, even with a cultural dimension, are generally not eligible.
  • Transportation services, even to attend a cultural event, cannot be funded by the Culture Pass.

It is essential to check the eligibility conditions before making a purchase with the Culture Pass.

Using your Culture Pass in specific stores

Holders of the Culture Pass can explore a range of products in partner stores, including for the purchase of a computer. This section guides you through the different stores where you can use your Culture Pass for a computer purchase with the culture pass.

In partner bookstores

Many partner bookstores accept the Culture Pass, allowing young people to discover new authors and literary genres. You can reserve books via the app and pick them up in-store. Bookstores like Mollat or Chapitre offer a wide selection of eligible books.

At Fnac

Fnac is one of the flagship stores that accept the Culture Pass. You can find a wide variety of cultural products there, ranging from books to musical instruments. The procedure is simple: search for the item on the app, reserve it, then go to the store to pick it up with your QR code.

In music stores

Music stores are also preferred partners of the Culture Pass. You can purchase musical instruments such as guitars (Cort G110, Fender CC60), DJ controllers (Pioneer DJ), or musical accessories such as amplifiers (Blackstar ID Core) and sound cards (Focusrite). The possibilities are vast for music enthusiasts.

Tips and practical advice

To make the most of your Culture Pass, here are some practical tips. Efficient use of this program can greatly enhance your cultural experience.

How to manage your credit effectively

To manage your Culture Pass credit effectively, make sure to regularly check your available balance on the app or website. Plan your purchases based on the cultural goods that interest you and take advantage of the offers provided by partners.

It is also advisable to keep track of your transactions to avoid any surprises during your next purchase. By managing your credit well, you can maximize the benefits offered by the Culture Pass.

What to do in case of technical issues

If you encounter a technical problem with the Culture Pass app, start by checking the official FAQ on the Ministry of Culture's website. You will find solutions to the most frequently asked questions there.

  • If you have forgotten your password, use the “forgot password” feature to reset it.
  • For persistent connection issues, try updating the app or reinstalling it.
  • If you have difficulty during a reservation or purchase, contact the Culture Pass customer service.

using culture pass

Conclusion

The Culture Pass program offers an exceptional opportunity for young people to explore the cultural universe. Thanks to this program, young people aged 15 to 21 can access a multitude of cultural goods and services: books, music, performances, and much more.

Using the Culture Pass in stores is simple: just download the app, reserve your product, and then present your QR code and identification. Remember that your credit is time-limited, so plan your purchases to make the most of it.

The Culture Pass is much more than financial assistance: it is an invitation to discover new cultural horizons and to build your own artistic journey.

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