How to Use the Culture Pass: Complete Guide

The Culture Pass is a French government initiative aimed at facilitating young people's access to culture through a mobile application and dedicated credit.

This comprehensive guide will explain step by step how to fully benefit from the advantages of the program. Young people aged 15 to 18 can benefit from this initiative that allows them to explore new cultural horizons.

We will discuss the eligibility conditions, the functioning of the application, the various available offers, and tips to optimize your experience.

What is the Culture Pass?

The Culture Pass is an innovative program launched by the French government to encourage young people's access to culture. It is a program aimed at democratizing access to artistic practices and enhancing the cultural autonomy of young people.

Origin and objectives of the program

The Culture Pass was established by the Ministry of Culture to promote young people's access to culture across the entire territory. The idea of the Culture Pass emerged as early as 2017, with the desire to create an emblematic measure in favor of youth and access to culture. The program aims to support cultural actors by diversifying their audience and giving young people the autonomy needed to discover various cultural offers according to their own interests.

Evolution of the Culture Pass since its creation

Tested in several departments in 2019, the Culture Pass has gradually been expanded to the entire territory. Its generalization took place in 2021 for 18-year-olds, and then in 2022 for 15 to 17-year-olds, thanks to an ambitious increase in the allocated budget. The program has undergone several major changes to adapt to the needs of young people and cultural actors, becoming an important pillar of national cultural policy.

The Culture Pass is based on a dual approach: an individual component allowing young people to benefit from personal credit and a collective component deployed in schools. This approach allows for reaching a wide audience and responding to the diverse needs of young people in terms of culture.

Who can benefit from the Culture Pass in 2025?

Since March 1, 2025, new rules apply for the allocation of the Culture Pass. The program continues to evolve to better meet the needs of young people.

Eligibility criteria by age

The eligibility criteria for the Culture Pass vary depending on the age of young people. Here are the details:

• Young people aged 15 and 16 no longer benefit from individual credit, but they can access free offers and discounted cultural events through the application.
• At 17, young people receive a credit of 50 euros, which can be combined with the credit obtained at 18 and used until the day before their 21st birthday.
• Young people aged 18 receive a credit of 150 euros, valid for three years until the day before their 21st birthday.

These changes aim to adapt the Culture Pass to the different needs of young people according to their age.

Amounts allocated by age group

The amounts allocated to young people vary based on their age and certain conditions.

• Young people aged 17 receive a credit of 50 euros.
• Young people aged 18 receive a credit of 150 euros, which represents a reduction from the 300 euros previously allocated.
• An additional 50 euros is provided for young people with disabilities or meeting certain income conditions, bringing their total credit to 200 euros.

These amounts are designed to encourage young people to explore various cultural experiences and take advantage of the offers available on the Culture Pass, including the culture pass application.

How to use the Culture Pass: essential steps

To enjoy the Culture Pass, it is essential to understand the steps to follow. Using this program is simple and mainly done through the official application.

Download the application and create an account

The first step to using the Culture Pass is to download the official application, available for free on iOS and Android. When creating your account, you will need to provide several personal details: email address, password, first name, last name, date of birth, and scan an ID.

The application will automatically verify your eligibility based on your age and situation (French nationality or legal residence in France for more than 12 months). The intuitive interface of the application allows you to immediately access the available cultural offers near you through geolocation.

Activate your individual credit

Once your account is validated, your credit will be automatically activated according to your age group, with no additional steps required from you. The amount of credit varies based on your age, in accordance with the program's provisions.

To activate your credit, ensure that you have correctly filled in all required information when creating your account. Activation is instantaneous, allowing you to immediately take advantage of the offers provided.

The two components of the Culture Pass

The Culture Pass is an innovative program that consists of two main components. This dual approach allows for addressing the cultural needs of young people in a diversified manner, including eligibility for the culture pass, which is an essential aspect to consider.

Functioning and use of the individual component

The individual component of the Culture Pass directly addresses young people aged 15 to 20. It consists of a progressive allocation of credits automatically assigned via the Culture Pass application. Young people can use these credits to discover various cultural offers according to their interests.

This individual credit is accessible directly through the application, allowing beneficiaries to purchase cultural goods or book activities with program partners. This freedom of choice promotes a personalized cultural experience.

School projects with the collective component

The collective component, on the other hand, is aimed at schools, from middle school to high school. It allows for financing cultural projects developed by teachers in collaboration with partner organizations such as museums, artists, and associations.

The amount allocated varies according to the school level: 25€ per student in 8th and 9th grade, 30€ per student in 10th and 11th grade, and 20€ per student in 12th grade. This allows for organizing enriching cultural outings within the school framework, thereby strengthening artistic and cultural education.

What can you buy with the Culture Pass?

With the Culture Pass, users can access a wide range of activities and cultural goods. The program is designed to encourage the discovery and exploration of various forms of art and culture.

Accessible cultural offers

The Culture Pass allows access to a wide variety of cultural offers, ranging from traditional outings to physical and digital cultural goods. You can use your credit to:

• Buy books, comics, or mangas.
• Book tickets for movies, theater, or concerts.
• Visit museums and exhibitions.
• Acquire musical instruments or take art classes.
• Subscribe to digital cultural services, such as music or video-on-demand platforms.

These varied options allow users to choose the activities that interest them the most and to enjoy their credit flexibly.

Restrictions and limitations of the program

Although the Culture Pass offers many possibilities, it has certain important restrictions. For example, the credit cannot be used to purchase:

• Computer equipment, such as tablets or phones.
• Electronic accessories, such as headphones or chargers.
• Most video games, except for specific cultural exceptions validated by the Culture Pass team.
• Services with no direct cultural link, such as dining or transportation.

Additionally, digital subscriptions are subject to a spending cap to encourage balanced use between digital offers and in-person experiences.

How to book an offer on the Culture Pass application

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Booking an offer on the Culture Pass application is done in a few simple steps. You can book a cultural offer using your Culture Pass credit.

Search and filter available offers

The Culture Pass application offers an intuitive interface that allows you to search and filter cultural offers according to your preferences and location. You can easily explore the available offers using filters by category (movies, books, shows), by price, or by distance through geolocation.

Booking process and payment

The booking process is simple: once you have chosen the offer, just click on “Book,” select the date and time if necessary, and then confirm your booking. The amount is automatically deducted from your Culture Pass credit, and a booking code is immediately sent to you. This booking code, available in the “My Bookings” tab of the application, must be presented when you arrive at the cultural venue or when picking up your purchase.

By following these steps, you can fully enjoy the cultural offers provided by the Culture Pass through the application.

Using the Culture Pass to buy books

One of the most popular uses of the Culture Pass is buying books. This feature allows beneficiaries to discover new literary works and support local bookstores.

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In a partner bookstore

To buy books using the Culture Pass credit in a partner bookstore, start by checking on the application that the bookstore is indeed a partner of the program. Once in the store, select your books and ask the bookseller to add these items to your Culture Pass cart.

The bookseller will record your selection, and you can then finalize the booking through the application by validating the proposed cart.

Booking and pickup procedures

After validating your cart, you will receive a booking code. To pick up your books, simply present this code along with an ID to the bookseller.

If the bookstore is not a partner, you can invite the bookseller to join the Culture Pass program to take advantage of this feature.

Booking a movie ticket with the Culture Pass

Book now

With the Culture Pass, booking a movie ticket is a breeze. This feature is one of the most appreciated aspects of the program, allowing young people to enjoy their credit for a cinematic experience.

Selecting the film and the screening

To book a movie ticket, start by opening the Culture Pass application and searching for partner cinemas near you using the geolocation feature. Once you have chosen the cinema, browse the films showing, select the one that interests you, and choose the screening that suits you.

After selecting your ticket price, click on “Book,” and the amount will be automatically deducted from your Culture Pass credit.

Presenting the ticket at the cinema

An electronic ticket or QR code will be sent to you immediately. You just need to present this ticket or QR code at the cinema entrance along with your ID to access the screening.

Booking movie tickets with the Culture Pass is not only simple but also quick, allowing you to fully enjoy your cinematic experience.

Using the Culture Pass for digital services

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You can use your Culture Pass to enjoy various digital services. The Culture Pass allows you to access various cultural digital services, but with certain limitations to encourage balanced use.

Eligible subscriptions and digital content

You can use your credit to subscribe to music streaming services (Spotify, Deezer), online press, or video platforms with cultural content. Some video games are also eligible, but only those considered to have significant cultural or educational value.

Spending caps and limitations for online offers

A cap of 100€ is imposed on digital spending, meaning you cannot use your entire credit solely for online services. It is important to note that you cannot use the Culture Pass to purchase physical goods online with home delivery – all physical purchases must be picked up in-store.

In summary, the Culture Pass offers a range of digital services to enrich your cultural experiences while encouraging balanced use between digital offers and in-person experiences.

Tips to optimize the use of your Culture Pass

To make the most of your Culture Pass, it is essential to know a few tips, including advice for the culture pass. Indeed, this program offers many opportunities to discover new cultural experiences and enrich your life.

Maximize the value of your credit

To maximize the value of your credit, it is recommended to activate your account as soon as possible to fully enjoy the validity period of your credit. You can also combine several small offers to diversify your experiences. For example, you can book a discounted show, buy a book, and visit a museum.

• Regularly explore the application to discover new offers and special promotions.
• Take advantage of the many free or heavily discounted offers available on the application.

Discover new cultural experiences

The Culture Pass allows you to discover new forms of art or cultural places that you might not have visited spontaneously. Don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone to fully enjoy this program.

• Book early for high-demand events like concerts or workshops.
• Regularly check the new items in the “inspirations” section of the application to stay informed.

Conclusion: the impact of the Culture Pass on access to culture

The initiative of the Culture Pass represents a major advancement in the democratization of culture. Since its creation, more than 3 million young people have already used this program to explore new cultural experiences.

The Culture Pass has helped to democratize access to culture for many young people who, without this financial support, might not have had the opportunity to discover certain cultural places. Thanks to this initiative, local cultural actors benefit from a new lever to reach a young audience, often distant from traditional offerings.

In 2023, the budget allocated by the government exceeded 200 million euros, confirming the strategic importance of this program in national cultural policy. The Culture Pass contributes to shaping the cultural practices of tomorrow's citizens through its intuitive application and its dual individual and collective components.

This program allows young people to develop their cultural autonomy by offering them the freedom of choice while guiding them towards a diversity of offers. For cultural actors, especially in rural areas or priority neighborhoods, the Culture Pass is an important lever to reach a new audience and ensure cultural transmission to new generations.