Culture minister Christine Albanel proposed the tax on tourists after her report revealed 41 per cent of historic monuments are in bad shape.

The national lottery service was one idea put forward, while the Cultural Minister suggested a tax of $3 on stays at four- and five-star hotels.

Ms Albanel said the tax is "half the price of a soda from the minibar" in such hotels.

The vice president of luxury hotel association Relais & Chateaux reacted negatively to the plan, which she said would tarnish the image of French hotels.

"You think it's good for the brand image when foreigners ... learn that it's again them who we're going to tax," he said.