Articles

How to Buy a Book with the Culture Pass

13 Mar 2025·4 min read
Articles

The Culture Pass, initiated by the Ministry of Culture, offers young people a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in culture. This program allows them to purchase books and other cultural goods. It thus opens up a world of unprecedented literary discoveries.

Culture Pass for purchasing books

Since its generalization in May 2021, the Culture Pass is accessible to all young people aged 15 to 18. The amounts allocated vary according to age: 20 euros for 15 years, 30 euros for 16 and 17 years, and 300 euros for 18 years. These credits, valid for 24 months, allow for the exploration of a vast selection of works.

To take advantage of this Culture Pass and buy books, simply download the application on your smartphone or computer. After verifying identity, access is granted to thousands of cultural products. Among them, a wide selection of books from partners like Fnac.

Let’s discover together how to effectively use the Culture Pass. This way, you can enrich your personal library and nurture your passion for reading.

Understanding the Culture Pass and How It Works

The Culture Pass is a government initiative aimed at facilitating access to culture for young people in France. This system offers assistance for purchasing books and other cultural goods. It allows beneficiaries to explore various artistic experiences.

What is the Culture Pass?

The Culture Pass is a program that credits an amount to young people for purchasing cultural goods and services. Eligibility for the Culture Pass concerns young people aged 15 to 18. The amounts vary according to age.

Culture Pass for young people

Available Amounts by Age

The Culture Pass credits are distributed as follows:

  • 15 years: 20 euros
  • 16 and 17 years: 30 euros
  • 18 years: 300 euros

These amounts allow young people to access various cultural offers. The purchase of books is included. Educational institutions also benefit from a collective share for cultural projects.

The Validity Period of Credits

The credits from the Culture Pass are valid for 24 months from the activation of the account. It is important for Culture Pass beneficiaries to use their credits before expiration. This way, they can fully enjoy this assistance for purchasing books and other cultural goods.

AgeAmountValidity
15-17 years20-30 eurosAnnual
18 years300 euros24 months

How to Buy a Book with the Culture Pass

Buying a book with the Culture Pass is a simple process. It begins with the use of the Culture Pass application. This application is at the heart of the system. It allows young people to fully enjoy their cultural budget.

Download and Install the Culture Pass Application

To start your literary journey with the Culture Pass, download the application on your smartphone or computer. The Culture Pass application is available for free on major download platforms.

Create Your Account and Identify Yourself

Once the application is installed, create your account. If you are 18 years old, an identity card will be required. For those aged 15-17, use your EduConnect credentials. This step is crucial to access your Culture Pass credit.

Purchase Procedure in Partner Bookstores

With your active account, go to a partner bookstore. Choose your book and present your Culture Pass at the time of payment. The bookseller can advise you and guide you in your selection.

AgeAvailable AmountValidity
15 years20€Until 18 years
16-17 years30€ per yearUntil 18 years
18 years300€24 months

Thanks to this simple procedure, you can easily buy a book with the Culture Pass. Remember that books represent nearly 50% of the expenses made with the Culture Pass in 2024. They thus offer a wide choice for all literary tastes.

The Different Options for Purchasing Books

The Culture Pass offers two ways to acquire books. The first method allows young people to reserve on the application and pick them up at the bookstore. This option is perfect for those who already have a clear idea of their future readings.

The second method involves going to the bookstore to explore the shelves. Then, the chosen books are added to the application. This approach encourages discovery and allows for benefiting from the advice of booksellers. A study reveals that 46% of Culture Pass users have visited a bookstore to explore new cultural places.

Buying books with the Culture Pass

The assistance for purchasing books is a key aspect of the Culture Pass, representing 71% of reservations. Statistics reveal a preference for certain genres:

  • 15% for French literature
  • 11% for comics
  • 10% for children's literature
  • 9% for mangas

This data highlights the diversity of literary tastes among young people. With a credit of 300€ valid for 2 years, the Culture Pass encourages exploration of different styles and authors. It thus stimulates the literary curiosity of the French youth.

Partner Bookstores and Institutions

The Culture Pass offers young people privileged access to a multitude of partner bookstores. This extensive network allows beneficiaries to discover a variety of works and literary genres.

List of Participating Stores

The network includes major chains like Fnac, as well as numerous independent bookstores. These establishments offer a wide selection of books, ranging from comics to novels, essays, and art books.

Type of BookstoreExamplesAvailable Genres
Major ChainsFnac, CulturaAll genres
Independent BookstoresNeighborhood bookstoresLiterature, essays, youth
Specialized BookstoresComics, mangas, science fictionSpecific genres

How to Find a Partner Bookstore Near You

The Culture Pass portal makes it easy to find partner bookstores. Young people can use the application to locate participating establishments near their home. This practical feature allows for discovering new bookstores and exploring the local cultural offering.

The Role of Booksellers in the Purchasing Process

Booksellers play an essential role in the purchasing experience with the Culture Pass. Their expertise helps guide young readers to works suited to their tastes and introduces them to new literary horizons. The partner bookstores thus create an environment conducive to exploration and cultural enrichment for the beneficiaries of the Pass.

Conclusion

The Culture Pass transforms access to culture for young people in France. In two years, it has reached 3.4 million beneficiaries, demonstrating its positive impact. The purchase of books is a preferred choice, representing a significant portion of expenses. In 2022 and 2023, 7.5 million works were reserved through this system.

Using the Culture Pass to buy books is an easy and accessible process. Whether in bookstores or online, young people have many options. They can use their credit of 300 euros to enrich their library, with a wide range of genres available, from novels to mangas. Jean Rostand, a famous writer and biologist, has always encouraged reading as a means to broaden one's horizons.

The Culture Pass extends well beyond literature, offering experiences in various artistic fields. It allows 18-year-olds to discover shows, visit museums, or participate in creative workshops. With 84% of 18-year-olds registered, the Culture Pass plays a crucial role in democratizing access to culture in France.

Related