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Paris Museum Pass

Colleen M. Alley

What's the best bargain in Paris?

The Paris Museum and Monuments Pass.

Why is it the best bargain in Paris?

Because for one fee, you have access to as many of the over 60 participating sites in Paris and the surrounding region as you can fit in during your touring day.

What's so good about that?

Museum sign for pass holders

  • You can bypass the regular l-o-n-g entrance lines, and enter through the separate "Museum Pass Only" line. (Photo of sign to the right.)
  • It can save you money on admission fees. For example, if you buy a two-day pass and on the first day visit the Musee du Louvre, and St. Chapelle and the second day visit the Musee d'Orsay, the Musee Rodin and climb to the top of the Arc de Triomphe, you’ll have saved €7.50 over what it would have cost you paying individual admissions.
  • You can make quick visits to, say, the Louvre, the Musee d'Orsay, the Cluny, and the towers of Notre-Dame and not feel guilty about breezing through them. Or you could visit a museum in the morning, take a break from art fatigue, and then go back later that day.

Lines at the Musee d'Orsay

Lines at the Musee d'Orsay

Where can I buy one of these great passes?

At the participating museums and monuments, the Paris Tourist Office (25 Rue des Pyramides) and branch offices (I bought mine at the tourist desk inside the Amex office on Rue Scribe across from the Opéra Garnier), at FNAC ticket counters, and at Espace du Tourisme Ile-de-France (Carrousel du Louvre 99 Rue de Rivoli).

You can even purchase them in advance, through other business, although you'll pay a 30-50% markup for doing so (some travel consultants sell them in the US).

Paris Tourist Office

Paris Tourist and American Express Office on Rue Scribe

How long are they good for?

Passes do not expire before you activate them. Passes are available for two days, four day, and six day use. These are consecutive days, so make sure to check opening days to make the best use of your pass. Note that many museums in Paris are closed on Monday or Tuesday, and that admission is usually free to those 18 and under.

How do they work?

There's a space on the back of the card for your name and a date to be entered. Fill in the date of the first day you'll be using the card. It's valid for that day and any consecutive days that you've purchased. For example, if you purchase a four-day card on June 11, and on June 13 write the date on the back, the card will be good for June 13 through June 16.

How much does a pass cost?

In 2006, the two-day pass cost €30, the four-day pass cost €45, and the six-day pass cost €60. Check the website www.intermusees.com for current prices.

Exactly which attractions are covered?

Check the website www.intermusees.com for the full list of museums and monuments. Note though the pass does not include access to temporary exhibitions.

My personal Top Ten:

  • Musee du Louvre
  • Musee de Cluny
  • Church of Sainte-Chapelle
  • Musee d'Orsay
  • Notre-Dame towers and crypt
  • Conciergerie
  • Arc de Triomphe
  • Musee Carnavalet (history of Paris) – this museum is now free
  • Musee de l'Orangerie
  • Musee Rodin

When Colleen is not traveling, she can usually be found either reading about travel or writing about it. Colleen is a Slow Travel Talk message board moderator.

Kim and her family love to travel. In recent years, they've visited London, Paris, Italy and Israel. Upcoming plans include Vermont with returns to Paris and Italy. Kim is a Slow Travel Talk message board moderator. You can read about Kim’s travel adventures on her Slow Travel Member page, and her blog, Kim's Musings.

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