"Paris Museum Pass" Paris Favorite Tip by Dabs

Favorite thing: For the first time or return visitor who wants to see a lot, the Paris Museum Pass is not only a monetary bargain but also a time saver as you get to cut the sometimes considerable lines to get in. The cost is (as of July 2011) 2-day pass: 35E , 4-day pass: 50E, 6-day pass 65E. We've saved money every time we've bought it, not to mention the time standing in lines. The days must be consecutive days.

You can purchase the pass at any of the particpating museums or monuments, online, at FNAC stores, at tourism offices including at the Gare du Nord where the Eurostar comes in or at the airports, you can see the list of places to purchase here. You can buy the pass a day or two in advance as it is not validated until you visit your 1st museum. I bought mine this time at Invalides, there was a queue but not as long as the one at the Arc de Triomphe. You do not want to try and buy at popular attractions such as Versailles or the Louvre.

Virtually all of the major sites in Paris are covered except the Eiffel Tower, the pass includes the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, Rodin Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Versailles, Fountainbleu, etc. For a full list visit the website.

Most of the places we visited on this trip allowed us to cut the lines, the one place with very long lines that has never had a special entrance is the towers of Notre Dame which is restricted for security so go there early, before it opens. St. Chapelle had a security line but that was quick and no waiting in the ticket queue, the Louvre now has a special line next to the pyramid. We sailed past a huge line at the Arc de Triomphe, was disappointed that there was no special line at Versailles currently. If you are visiting with children under 18 years old, they will be free at most of the sights covered by the Museum Pass, I was still able to cut the lines at most places by just telling them my niece was 17.

Note: a lot of the museums included on the Pass are free the 1st Sunday of the month

• Updated Oct 17, 2011
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