Paris Museum Pass Guide: What’s Included & How to Save Money
If your Paris itinerary includes more than a few museums, the Paris Museum Pass might just be your golden ticket. It promises unlimited access to dozens of cultural landmarks — from the Louvre to Versailles — without queuing for tickets at every entrance.
But between skip-the-line perks, new digital options, and time-slot requirements, is it really worth it?
Here’s everything you need to know — what’s included, how it works, and when this pass truly pays off.
What Is the Paris Museum Pass?
The Paris Museum Pass is a pre-paid card granting entry to over fifty museums and monuments in Paris and its surroundings. It’s available for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days, and covers most of the city’s must-see cultural landmarks.
There’s both a physical pass (sold at airports, FNAC stores, and certain metro stations) and a digital e-ticket launched in 2024 — which you can download instantly and scan from your phone.
Where to buy:
- Official Paris Museum Pass site
- Paris airports (CDG, Orly)
- Major museums like the Louvre or Orsay
- Tourist offices and select retailers
When using the physical pass, remember to write your name and start date on the back before your first visit; that’s when activation begins.
💡 New in 2025: The official site now offers an optional Seine River cruise add-on, ideal if you’d like to see Paris from the water after your museum days.
What’s Included (and What Isn’t)
The pass covers nearly every major museum or monument in Paris. Here are the highlights:
Included:
- Louvre Museum
- Musée d’Orsay
- Centre Pompidou (currently closed for renovation until 2030)
- Musée Rodin
- Musée de l’Orangerie
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Conciergerie
- Arc de Triomphe
- Panthéon
- Les Invalides & Napoleon’s Tomb
- Cluny Museum (Medieval Paris)
- Versailles Palace (see below)
Not included:
- Eiffel Tower
- Catacombs of Paris
- Opéra Garnier
- Fondation Louis Vuitton
- Versailles Gardens on fountain-show days (separate ticket required)
You can view the interactive map of all included sites directly on the official Paris Museum Pass site.
👉 To see how these stops fit into a well-paced trip, browse my 3–5 Day Paris Itinerary.
How It Works
Your pass activates the moment it’s scanned at the first museum. From that moment, the countdown runs by calendar days, not hours — so a “2-day” pass means any two consecutive days, regardless of when you start.
Skip-the-line access means you can enter directly through dedicated Museum Pass entrances (though security lines still apply).
For the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, advance reservations remain mandatory — even with the pass. Reserve your free time slot directly on each museum’s website.
💡 Pro tip: Organize your visits geographically — a Right Bank day (Louvre, Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe) and a Left Bank day (Orsay, Rodin, Orangerie, Sainte-Chapelle) will save precious time.
Versailles: A Day Trip Included in Your Pass
Yes — the Palace of Versailles is included in the Paris Museum Pass, which covers admission to the main palace, the Trianon Estate, and Marie-Antoinette’s Hamlet.
What’s not included are the Musical Fountains Shows and garden events that require a separate ticket on select days.
Getting there is easy: take the RER C train from central Paris (around 40 minutes). Allow nearly a full day to explore, and bring water and comfortable shoes — the grounds are vast.
If you’d like to turn it into a perfect cultural day out, plan your visit as part of my guide to 30 Easy Day Trips from Paris by Train (+ Map & Tips) — it includes Versailles, Giverny, Reims, and more destinations that pair beautifully with a longer Paris stay.
The Math: Does It Really Save Money?
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Museum / Monument | Individual Ticket | Included in Pass? |
|---|---|---|
| Louvre | €22 | ✅ |
| Orsay | €16 | ✅ |
| Sainte-Chapelle | €13 | ✅ |
| Arc de Triomphe | €13 | ✅ |
| Pompidou (currently closed for renovation until 2030) | €15 | ✅ |
| Cluny Museum | €12 | ✅ |
| Château de Chantilly | €17 | ✅ |
| Versailles | €21 | ✅ |
| Total | €129+ | vs. ≈ €70 (4-day Pass) |
If you visit two or more museums per day, the pass quickly pays for itself — and saves you from juggling multiple bookings.
Who Should Buy It (and Who Shouldn’t)
Worth it if you:
- Are visiting Paris for the first or second time.
- Enjoy art, history, and architecture.
- Plan 3–5 busy sightseeing days.
- Value skip-the-line convenience.
- Travel with teens or culture-curious kids.
Skip it if you:
- Prefer slow travel (one museum every few days).
- Travel with toddlers or strollers.
- Already qualify for free entry — under 18s, or EU citizens/residents under 26, enjoy free access to most national museums.
- Would rather spend your trip shopping or café-hopping than sightseeing.
If you fall into that last category, browse my Saint-Germain-des-Prés Itinerary PDF — perfect for a cultural yet slower day exploring boutiques, cafés, and galleries.
Sample Itineraries Using the Paris Museum Pass
To make the most of your time, plan your museum days geographically.
2-Day Pass
Day 1: Louvre → Sainte-Chapelle → Conciergerie → sunset from Pont Neuf
Day 2: Musée d’Orsay → Rodin Museum → Les Invalides → Arc de Triomphe
4-Day Pass
Day 1–2: As above
Day 3: Pompidou (closed for renovation until 2030) → Panthéon → Cluny Museum
Day 4: Versailles Palace Day Trip
For ideas on where to pause between museum visits — from elegant cafés to chic boutiques — take inspiration from my 3–5 Day Paris Itinerary.
Tips to Get the Most Out of It
- Reserve time slots for Louvre and Orsay in advance.
- Arrive early (right at opening) or visit in the late afternoon.
- Use dedicated Museum Pass entrances whenever available.
- Group museums by district to minimize transport.
- Keep your pass handy — you’ll need to scan it each time.
- If you’re using the digital pass, bring a portable charger.
💡 Pair sightseeing with a chic coffee break — Café Varenne near Rodin, or Carette at Place des Vosges.
For more Left Bank inspiration, explore my Saint-Germain-des-Prés Itinerary, which includes café and restaurant stops near the city’s best museums.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Activating the pass late in the day — it counts calendar days.
- Forgetting required reservations at major museums.
- Over-cramming your itinerary — fatigue ruins the fun.
- Expecting it to include the Eiffel Tower or Catacombs.
- Underestimating Versailles — it truly needs a full day.
Insider Add-Ons and Smart Pairings
If you’re interested in turning your museum days into well-rounded Paris experiences:
- Add a boutique stop from The Ultimate Paris Shopping Guide.
- Stock up on local favorites from The Best French Pharmacy Products (That Are Actually Worth It).
- Discover authentic souvenirs in What to Buy in Paris: Stylish Souvenirs and Gifts.
- Browse The Best French Perfume Brands for a sensory keepsake to bring home.
These add depth to a cultural trip — allowing you to experience Paris through its craftsmanship and everyday rituals, not just its art.
Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It?
For most visitors over 26 who plan to see several museums, the Paris Museum Pass is absolutely worth it.
You’ll save both time and money if you visit two or more attractions per day.
Even if the savings are modest, the skip-the-line access during peak months (May–September) can make the experience far smoother.
The only groups who may not benefit are under-26 EU citizens, under-18s, or those taking a slow, café-centric approach.
Verdict
For travelers who want to experience Paris’s artistic heart — not just admire it from the outside — the Paris Museum Pass is a smart, elegant investment.
It saves money, yes, but more importantly, it gives you freedom to wander without queuing or second-guessing.
If your dream trip involves long lunches and slow afternoons, individual tickets may suit you better.
But if museums are the heartbeat of your itinerary, this little card opens the city’s cultural doors — efficiently and effortlessly.
