The Paris Museum Pass is a great way to see many of the museums and attractions in Paris while saving money and skipping long lines. I’ll share the benefits and logistics of getting the pass and why I believe it’s worth the money.
We have been to Paris twice now, once just me and Logan, and once with our two toddlers. Both times, we purchased the Paris Museum Pass and we got our money’s worth hands down. Not only is it worth it if you visit a few of the more popular and expensive museums, but you also get to skip the long lines, saving you so much time.
One of my favorite things is that it encourages me to visit museums that I might not have thought to visit otherwise, because they’re free! If you purchase the pass, take a look through all the attractions you have access to and see if any of them spark your interest. We went to the Musee National de la Marine when we had some spare time and it ended up being one of our favorites because their were no crowds and the ships were really cool.
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What Is the Paris Museum Pass?
The Paris Museum Pass is a one-time purchase ticket offering free, priority access to over 60 museums and monuments in Paris, including major attractions like the Louvre and Versailles, designed to save visitors time and money. It’s an unbeatable way to dive into the city’s world-class museums and monuments without the stress. With this pass, you gain free, priority access to over 60 top attractions, including must-sees like the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, and Sainte-Chapelle. It’s available in 2, 4, or 6-day options, making it super flexible for any trip length.
What makes the Paris Museum Pass a real game-changer is that it lets you skip the long wait. You can breeze past those sometimes hours long lines at popular spots, saving precious time that’s better spent exploring more of what Paris has to offer. It’s a huge advantage, especially during the busy tourist seasons or if you’re traveling with kids.
How Much Is the Paris Museum Pass?
The pass comes in three durations to match different lengths of stay and itineraries: 2 days, 4 days, and 6 days. They are consecutive days so once the pass is scanned, the clock starts ticking. If you bought the 2 day pass, once it’s scanned you have 48 hours before it expires.
The price structure is tiered according to which number of days you purchase. These are the pass options and their prices:
- 2-day pass (48 hours): Approximately €52
- 4-day pass (96 hours): Approximately €66
- 6-day pass (144 hours): Approximately €78
Prices are subject to change, so it’s a good idea to check the official website or contact a selling point for the most current information.
Where Do I Buy the Paris Museum Pass?
The Paris Museum Pass can be purchased online through the official Paris Museum Pass website or at participating museums and monuments, tourist information centers, and selected retail outlets in Paris.
On our first trip to Paris, we bought or Museum Pass at a random museum while walking to the Eiffel Tower. You don’t have to activate it until the day you use it for your first museum visit.
On our most recent trip, we just bought it on line and I think that is the easiest option and you don’t have to worry about losing the physical pass. They just scan the barcode on your phone.
What Does the Paris Museum Pass Get You In To?
The Paris Museum Pass gets you in to to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris and the Paris region. You can see the extensive list on the official Paris Museum Pass website.
Here are a few of the most popular:
- Louvre Museum: The Louvre is not just the world’s largest art museum but also a historic monument in Paris. It’s home to thousands of works of art, including iconic pieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo.”
- Palace of Versailles: This opulent complex is not only a stunning example of 18th-century French art but also a symbol of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The Palace and its magnificent gardens represent the grandeur and excess of the French monarchy before the French Revolution. Its Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Apartments, and the Gardens are especially breathtaking.
- Orsay Museum: Housed in a former railway station, the Musée d’Orsay boasts the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters including Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh. It’s a must-visit for fans of 19th-century art.
- Sainte-Chapelle: Known for its stunning stained-glass windows, this Gothic chapel was constructed in the 13th century and houses a collection of relics of Christ. The 15 windows, each 15 meters high, depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris.
- Arc de Triomphe: This monument stands at the western end of the Champs-Élysées and honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Visitors can climb to the top for panoramic views of Paris.
Do You Still Need Reservations if You Have the Paris Museum Pass?
Yes! While the Museum Pass covers the price of your ticket, if the museum requires reservations, you need to make those ahead of time. Just make sure you don’t pay for your ticket at the same time. Usually the website has an option for a Museum Pass reservation and it’s free.
Don’t make the mistake of showing up the the Louvre with a ticket and no reservation, they won’t let you in. Some museums do have a standby line, but it can be hours long.
Do Kids Need a Paris Museum Pass?
Most museums let children under the age of 18 in for free. Make sure to check their official websites to be sure, but you do not need a museum pass for your kids.
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