Many employees receive a cultural gift voucher each year without always knowing where to spend it effectively.
- 🎬 Present it directly at the checkout in partner cinema networks (UGC, Pathé, Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont…).
- 🎭 Use it as a payment method for your theater tickets (Théâtre National de Chaillot, Le Cabaret Sauvage, Le Palais des Congrès…).
- 📚 Exchange it in bookstores or cultural stores (Librairie Galignani, Fnac, Cultura…) ; the difference can be settled by card or cash.
Operation and conditions of a cultural gift voucher in 2025
The voucher is a prepaid voucher exempt from social charges, often offered by the Works Council (CSE) or the employer; it exists in paper or digital format and remains valid for 12 to 24 months depending on the issuer (Poz’Culture, BMG…).
Key points to avoid unpleasant surprises
- 🗓️ Check the expiration date (printed or visible in the mobile app).
- 📍 Identify the partner network logo at the entrance or on the booking website.
- 💶 Supplement if the amount is insufficient; no change will be given.
- 🔑 Keep the ticket: essential for exchange or postponement if the session is canceled.
| Format | Main use | Benefit 😊 |
|---|---|---|
| Paper voucher | Physical counters | ✨ No connection needed |
| Magnetic card | Card terminals & e-commerce | 💳 Payment down to the cent |
| Dematerialized code | App or mail | 📱 Instant addition to wallet |
These formats coexist: the user chooses the most convenient solution depending on the activity.
Make the most of the gift voucher at the cinema 🎬
Thanks to agreements with Poz’Culture and BMG, more than 1,800 venues accept the voucher, from small art-house theaters to 4DX multiplexes.
Must-see chains and addresses
- 🌟 Pathé La Villette – 30 Av. Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris
- 🌟 UGC Ciné Cité Les Halles – 7 Place de la Rotonde, 75001 Paris
- 🌟 Les Cinémas Pathé Gaumont – national network of 73 sites
| Cinema | City | Accepted format | Feature 🎥 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK2 Bibliothèque | Paris | Paper + card | IMAX Laser 😲 |
| Kinépolis Lomme | Lille | Card + code | Premium seats 🛋️ |
| CGR Torcy | Marne-la-Vallée | Paper | ScreenX 270° 🌐 |
Tips to pay less
- 🎟️ Choose morning sessions: reduced price + voucher = winning combo.
- 🍿 Combine snacks in the same transaction to avoid a second payment.
- 📅 Watch for Fête du Cinéma (end of June): tickets at €5 that can be combined.
Theater and shows: maximize the value of your voucher 🎭
Between musicals and one-man shows, live performances capture a growing share of cultural vouchers. Focus on three iconic Parisian stages where the voucher reigns:
Three emblematic venues
- 🎤 Le Cabaret Sauvage – Parc de la Villette, 211 Av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris
- 🎪 Le Palais des Congrès – 2 Place de la Porte Maillot, 75017 Paris
- 🩰 Théâtre National de Chaillot – 1 Pl. du Trocadéro, 75116 Paris
| Hall | Capacity | Type of show | Good to know 🎫 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabaret Sauvage | 1,200 | World music | Bar access included 🍸 |
| Palais des Congrès | 3,723 | Musicals | Free cloakroom 🧥 |
| Chaillot | 1,200 | Contemporary dance | Guided tour offered 🏛️ |
Practical advice
- 📆 Book online with the digital card to avoid queues.
- 👯♂️ Group tickets: some theaters offer 10% off from 4 tickets.
- 🎫 Last-minute upgrades: offer to pay the difference in cash on site.
Bookstores, Fnac, Cultura: where to turn your voucher into books & leisure 📚
Books remain the main expenditure item for beneficiaries. General stores coexist with independent bookstores for an unlimited selection.
Top addresses to browse the shelves
- 📖 Librairie Galignani – 224 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris (English-language & fine arts)
- 🔊 Fnac Saint-Lazare – 109 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75009 Paris (vinyl & ticketing)
- 🎨 Cultura La Défense – 15 Parvis de la Défense, 92800 Puteaux (creative hobbies)
| Store | Eligible products | Benefit 📚 |
|---|---|---|
| Fnac | Books, video games, concert tickets | 5% loyalty program 🎁 |
| Cultura | Fine arts, mangas, instruments | Free workshops 🖌️ |
| Librairie Galignani | Original language literature, art books | Expert advice 👓 |
Network of reading & souvenir ideas
Looking for an original guide before your next city trip? Discover our selection of books in the article “Literary souvenirs of Paris”!
- 🗺️ Illustrated guides 💡
- 👩🍳 Local cuisine books 🍲
- 🎧 Audiobooks included in some Deezer packs 🆕
FAQ – Everything you need to know to use your cultural gift voucher
- What is the maximum exempt amount? – There is no ceiling because the cultural voucher is excluded from the URSSAF limit of 5% of the monthly Social Security ceiling.
- Can I share my voucher with someone close? – Yes, provided the ticket bears your name and is used for a single purchase; you pay, and the seat can be assigned to anyone you want.
- What should I do if the paper voucher is damaged? – Contact the issuer (Poz’Culture, BMG…) before the expiration date; reissue is often possible upon proof of purchase.
- Can multiple vouchers be combined for the same order? – Absolutely, just indicate the number of vouchers at the counter or enter them one by one online.
- Does the cultural voucher cover VOD or streaming? – Yes, with partner platforms (for example Deezer, Filmo, UniversCiné) as long as they offer a “cultural voucher” payment option.
