McDonald's Louvre Opening Takes the Heat

(Thumbnail image from eatmedaily.com)

McDonald’s is making its way to the Louvre next month. The American fast-food chain will be located at a mall beneath the French museum in a food court featuring world cuisines. Some media sources are outraged by the move, but others don't seem to mind.  We bring you perspectives from The Daily Telegraph, Comedy Central’s "Colbert Report", CCTV and NPR.

An art critic tells UK’s The Daily Telegraph having a McDonald’s outlet in the museum is placing commercialism before culture.

“This is the pinnacle of exhausting consumerism, deficient gastronomy and very unpleasant odors in the context of a museum.” (The Telegraph)

Stephen Colbert disagrees.  On Comedy Central's "Colbert Report," he says McDonald’s is culture.

“Of course, the Frenchies are fried, because the area that will house the new Mickey D’s is supposed to contain commercial spaces restricted to cultural activities. Hey, France, fast food is our culture. How do you think we get our Rubenesque figures?” (Colbert Report)

A French resident tells CCTV he does not mind McDonald’s at the Louvre, but it has to be of a good standard.

“A French man said that he wouldn't object to the move, but said that the quality both in culinary and aesthetic terms should be ensured.” (CCTV)

An art critic doubts McDonald’s can reach the standards of the upscale shopping mall, which hosts only cultural and high profile shops.  Audio here from NPR.

“They say, ‘Oh, it's going to be a very high-level McDonald’s. I don't know what is a ‘high-level McDonald’s!’”

The art critic adds...

“You cannot mix the Louvre and art with McDonald’s. It doesn't fit together because I think McDonald's is one of the lowest level of cooking, and Louvre is one of the biggest level in art.” (NPR)

So what do you think about fast food at the Louvre?