The Paris Museum Pass is worth the investment if you love seeing museums, monuments, and palaces. And, though there are many cool things you can do in the city for free, it’s almost crazy to vacation in Paris without buying the pass. For one thing, you get to skip most of the lines for many of Paris’ must-see attractions.
The Museum Pass covers 60 museums and monuments. You have three options:
- Two-day pass – €35
- Four-day pass – €50
- Six-day pass – €65
Sights Covered By the Museum Pass
Here are the major sights included in the Museum Pass. The prices below are what you would pay without the pass.
Notre Dame Tower (€8): Notre Dame is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. It is so awe inspiring that even atheists might pause to wonder if there is a God. The main part of Notre Dame Cathedral can be entered for free, but the tower, with those famous gargoyles and wonderful views, requires payment. For security reasons, everyone must stand in line to climb the tower.
Sainte Chapelle (€8): The “holy chapel” is not far from the Notre Dame Cathedral and is considered to be the gold standard for Gothic architecture. Rather than appearing dark and clunky like earlier churches, Sainte Chapelle is filled with light from its fantastical stained-glass windows. Other churches, such as the Sacré Cœur Basilica, are free.
Musée du Louvre (€9.50): With highlights like the Mona Lisa (small and always crowded) and Venus de Milo, the Louvre Museum is hard to resist. However, you will go into overload and your brain will explode if you try to see all of the old masters, the Greek, Roman, and Egyptian antiquities, and the gorgeous statues in one day. Plan ahead and visit a few of your favorites because it would take a lifetime to see it all.
Musée d’Orsay (€8): Some people only want to see impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Highlights of this fabulous museum include works by Degas, Monet, Cezanne, Renoir, Van Gogh, Gauguin, and the building itself, which is a renovated train station.
Musée National de l’Orangerie (€7.50): Imagine a room where you are surrounded by giant Monet paintings of nymphéas (waterlilies). Oh, the museum also has works by Cezanne, Picasso, Rousseau, and more.
Arc de Triomphe (€9): Follow the Avenue des Champs-Élysées (the grandest boulevard on earth) until you see the famous arch erected to honor the triumphs of Napoleon. If you have ever seen a documentary of WWII, you will recognize this monument. You can see the arch for free but you must pay to go up into it.
Musée de l’Armée - Tombeau de Napoléon (€9): This is the best military museum in Europe and possibly the world. The monument with Napoleon’s tomb is quite impressive.
Musée Rodin (€6): The Rodin Museum, housed in Rodin’s mansion, is a tribute to the most famous sculptor since Michelangelo. Learn about his techniques and stroll through the outdoor sculpture garden.
Musée Cluny - Musée National du Moyen Âge (€8.50): See the famous Lady and the Unicorn tapestries along with altarpieces, weapons, stained glass windows, carvings, and crowns from the middle ages in this underrated master museum. One of the rooms is an actual Roman Bath from 200 A.D.
Centre Pompidou - Musée National d’Art Moderne (€10-12): The outside of the Pompidou Museum is extraordinary and there is absolutely no chance you will miss it. Love it or hate it, you must see the exterior of this fun and fabulous building. Inside you will find the Musée National d'Art Moderne (modern art), which has a grand assortment from Fauvism through contemporary works.
Panthéon (€8): The Pantheon in Paris is quite different from that in Rome. This building started out as a church, but it is now a cool neoclassical mausoleum.
Musée National des Châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon (€25): Visit Versailles to see what an abundance of money and power can do to remake a hunting lodge into the most famous symbol of grandeur and status. The gardens are mind-blowing.
Not Covered by Museum Pass
These landmarks and museums are not covered by the Museum Pass.
The Eiffel Tower: No, the Museum Pass does not cover the Eiffel Tower. Some people enjoy just seeing this magnificent “temporary” structure as much as other people enjoy riding to the top of it. One of the best views is from a quick riverboat cruise on the Seine.
Marmottan Museum: Marmottan is the best museum for people obsessed with Monet.
Jaquemart-Andre Museum: Walk through a beautiful mansion and imagine what life must have been like for the lucky occupants.
Opera Garnier: As the inspiration for the Phantom of the Opera, this structure is a gleaming example of belle époque extravagance.
You will probably find that the Museum Pass is a worthwhile investment, saving you both time and money. The pass can be bought online, at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, at the attractions covered by the pass, at some tourist offices and tabacs, and at several FNAC stores.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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