The Micro-Folie network, approaching its 10th anniversary, is now recognized as a major player in the cultural and heritage landscape. The Patrimostat 2026, a reference document on visitor numbers for heritage sites, offers for the first time a quantitative analysis of this initiative. Launched in 2025 by the Department of Studies, Foresight, Statistics, and Documentation (DEPS) in collaboration with several directorates of the Ministry of Culture and La Villette, the first Micro-Folie Observatory focused on the year 2024.
Out of the 610 Micro-Folies open in France and internationally, 431 responded to the survey, representing a 71% participation rate. These structures, primarily supported by local authorities and associative networks, are free and open to all, enjoying significant success, particularly among school audiences. They are mainly located in rural (40%) and urban (60%) areas. Over a third (37%) are part of the Petites villes de demain program, 14% are included in the Action cœur de ville initiative, and 3% are concerned by the Village d’avenir program. Most Micro-Folies operate year-round, with a slight dip in activity during the summer, coinciding with school holidays. 86% of the structures are accessible to people with reduced mobility.
A true artistic and digital cooperative, the Micro-Folie network is committed to cultural accessibility and serves as a springboard for contemporary creation. Conferences and meetings (65%), film screenings (54%), and exhibitions (53%) are the most common programming formats. Live performances (43%) and children's shows (31%) are also offered. Micro-Folies collaborate closely with municipalities (70%) and institutions of the National Education (61%). In the cultural field, media libraries are the most frequent partners (82%), followed by associations, cultural facilities, and museums. Partnerships also extend to the social and socio-educational sectors, with a strong presence of social centers (60%), EHPADs (57%), and socio-educational associations (52%).
The initiative has also facilitated participation in national events: 30% of Micro-Folies benefited from the Micro-Festivals program, and 20% participated in the Fête du court-métrage (Short Film Festival), thus contributing to the promotion of young creation.
Regarding environmental issues, slightly over a third of Micro-Folies (35%) offer dedicated actions, mainly in the form of workshops (41%) and mediation activities (39%). For their workshops, 64% use recycled materials, 9% use reclaimed materials, and 5% use bio-based materials. In 2025, 55% of structures plan to integrate biodiversity and environmental themes into their programming. In terms of equipment reuse, nearly half of the structures (47%) repurpose their equipment for other activities, and 83% mobilize it for local cultural events.
