In May of this year Airbnb conducted a competition allowing two winners the ability to spend a night at the iconic Louvre Museum in Paris. This "night at the museum" created quite a bit of buzz, however, not everyone was pleased with the museum's new attention and partnership with the billion dollar homestay company. 

According to some, Paris is already a place flooded with tourists and visitors. Previously we've reported on the Louvre's overwhelming number of tourists and museum visits and how visitor attendance is affecting the museum staff and community. Recently, the Louvre stated they are teaming with Airbnb by allowing visitors to book after-hours guided tours of the museum when the site is otherwise closed. According to a news release from The Art Newspaper visitors "can be booked via Airbnb whose 'hosts' will show visitors key works (prices start at €30)."

One individual who is irked and disappointed by the Louvre's recent decision is Paris' city deputy mayor of housing, Ian Brossat. Unafraid and uncensored about his feelings towards the partnership Brossat has stated the union is "disastrous." 

According to Gareth Harris of The Art Newspaper Brossat wrote a letter to French culture minister Franck Reister stating, "This repeated use of a public institution [the Louvre] for commercial purposes by a digital giant is a shocking political gesture.” Hoping the ministry would intervene, Reister has not provided a response. 

Has the future of iconic museums and other structural landmarks fallen prey to new experiential trends similar to the Louvre?