Travel Advisory: The Paris Museum Pass

The possibilities are endless during your visit in Paris. I vacationed here no fewer than 8 times before I made the leap, and after four years living here I still haven't seen it all. In fact, I feel as if I could live here another 25 and still find her new and exciting! I have learned some valuable lessons however, and I would like to share them with you in an attempt to maximize your Parisian experience. The Paris Museum Pass is a highly touted product promoted by the government as well as professionals in the tourism industry. Available for sale at Paris museums, travel agents, and often travel websites, (sometimes including a markup) it is a seductive option; entry to all museums in Paris! The Paris museum pass is available for 2 days, 4 days, and 6 days, at 35, 50, and 65 euros respectively, and must be used consecutively. It's true, I love me a museum! I rarely miss "free museum day" (the first Sunday of every month), and I attend exhibitions regularly. I would say I visit a museum an average of once a week. But even I can't do 6 consecutive days! I wondered if the museum pass was practical. I decided to crunch some numbers and think like a tourist who has one week in Paris. Let's begin with the 2 day pass @ 35 euros. Of course when you are in Paris you must visit Le Louvre! This is an all day project - after experiencing La Jaconde (the Mona Lisa), Venus de Milo, Napoleon's Apartments, and the ancient Trésors du Egypte, one's senses are sated. Another museum that day would just be overkill. Tariff à Le Louvre: 10 euros. Another popular destination (and highly recommended) is the Musée d'Orsay. Chock full of the masters of Impressionism such as Renoir, Monet, and Degas, it should be savored slowly like a fine wine, and afterward a walk along the Seine is in order. Tariff à Musée d'Orsay: 8 euro. Purchased individually, the total: 18 euros. Savings: 17 euros! Across the river near is L'Orangerie, a lovely little museum at the front end of Le Tuileries. A special "combo" tariff for the d'Orsay and L'Orangerie: 13 euros. (You have 4 days to visit both) The total for the three museums would be 23 euros. Savings: 12 euros! Perhaps Versailles is on your agenda. To enjoy this magnificent Chateau, the gardens, Marie Antoinette's quaint and peaceful farm, and the Trianon is yet another full day. Tariff à Chateau de Versailles: 18 euros. If you went to the Louvre one day and Versailles the next, tickets purchased individually would cost 28 euros. Savings: 7 euro! I did arrive at one combination where the traveler breaks even with the museum pass. A 4 day pass is available at 50 euros. If one visits the Louvre, the d'Orsay and L'Orangerie, Versailles, and Les Invalides (Napoleon's tomb and war museum) consecutively, it would cost the same 50 euros as if you purchased the tickets individually. Squeeze in the Rodin (across the street from Invalides) and go to the top of the Arch de Triomphe and you would be ahead of the game. I did not find any 6 day combinations that were cost effective for any traveler not high on crystal meth. Of course, travel agents will sell you on the luxury of advancing to the front of the queue with your pass; but beware! The longest queues at any museum is for security, which cannot be avoided. And tickets can be purchased in advance from the website of any Paris museum. The key is to assess your priorities during the planning stages of your trip. How many museums can you handle? What do you want to spend your precious time doing? Did you know there are approximately 20 museums free at all times such as Le Musée d'Art Moderne de le Ville de Paris, Le Petit Palais, and the Maison de Victor Hugo? It is possible to enjoy many great collections and fine museums without spending a dime. I was horrified to discover (as I researched this article) a website that not only up charged the price of the museum pass, but included in the list of possibilities museums that were always free to the public! So do your homework. Remember; all museums are free the first Sunday of every month, nearly all are closed on Mondays, and you can purchase tickets in advance online. If you have any questions regarding your visit in Paris feel free to contact me at: bonbondeparis@gmail.com