Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It? A Complete Review (2024)

Headed to Paris and wondering if the Paris Museum Pass is worth it? Read on for a complete, honest review to help you decide if this is right for you!

When I asked people for recommendations for my first trip to Paris, many told me that I purchase a Paris Museum Pass. I am usually one that is always skeptical of these city passes, so I was skeptical if the Paris Museum Pass would be worth it – in most cases, I find that they are valid at only a handful of attractions that I actually want to go to, with the rest being for super touristy, cheesy activities that I would never get caught doing.

Paris is a city that is full of world-class museums and iconic monuments. These institutions are the very reason why the city is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, attracting a record 40 million visitors in 2017. 

Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it? Short answer, yes; however, it may not be for everyone. Read on to find out if the Paris Museum Pass is worth it for you, what it is, where to get it, how to use it, and if it’s right for you.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

What is the Paris Museum Pass?

The Paris Museum Pass is a tourist pass that grants the holder unlimited admission into over 60 of Paris’s most iconic museums and monuments. It also allows one to skip the line at many of these attractions, which can make the Paris Museum Pass worth it if you are looking to save time and money.

How much does the Paris Museum Pass cost?

Adult prices of the Paris Museum Pass is below:

• 2 days: €55
• 4 days: €70
• 6 days: €85

Keep in mind that many of Paris’s museums are free for those under 18 years of age and for EU citizens under 26 years old, so the Paris Museum Pass is not worth it for them.

Where can I purchase the Paris Museum Pass?

For the most convenience and to really make the Paris Museum Pass worth it (especially if you have limited time available, like I did!), I would preorder the pass here.

Pre-ordered passes can be picked up at the Paris tourist office. You can also buy a pass at any of the museums and monuments that are included in the pass – however, there is no expedited line or separate line for the passes and you have to wait in the regular ticket line, which can be long.

We tried to buy our pass at the Notre Dame towers, but gave up and went elsewhere to get it because the line was so long (in the middle of February, no less – I don’t even want to know how long it would be during high season!). So, to maximize time, I would definitely pre-order to make the Paris Museum Pass worth it!

You can also have the pass shipped to you, or have it couriered to your hotel, but with the additional delivery costs (especially internationally), it does not make the Paris Museum Pass worth it.

See here for all possible buying options.

What attractions are included in the Paris Museum Pass?

Some of the most popular attractions included in the Paris Museum Pass is below:

• Arc de Triomphe
• Musée Picasso Paris
• Conciergerie
• Musée du Louvre
• Musée national de l’Orangerie
• Musée d’Orsay
• Panthéon
• Sainte-Chapelle
• Châteaux de Versailles

…and many more! You can see the complete list of what is included here.

As I mentioned earlier, being one of the main benefits that make the Paris Museum worth it is access to a special expedited line at many of these attractions. I found this to be especially beneficial at some of the more popular spots, such as the Louvre and Versailles.

This list is comprised of many of the most iconic tourist sights in Paris – if these are on your list, then the Paris Museum Pass could be worth it for you!

What is the difference between Paris Pass vs. Paris Museum Pass?

The Paris Pass includes admission to all of the above, plus these additions:

• One day hop-on-hop-off bus tour
• Admission to additional attractions and tours, including a guided climb of the Eiffel Tower, a walking tour of Montmarte, a guided tour of the covered passages of Paris, the Montparnasse Tower, and more
• A Seine River cruise
• Discount at various merchants and restaurants

It also comes in different increments, and costs a bit more:

• 2 days: €124
• 3 days: €149
• 4 days: €169
• 6 day passes currently not available

There is also a Paris Pass at a discounted rate for children and teens aged between 2-17:

• 2 day child: €42
• 3 day child: €55
• 4 day child: €65
• 6 day passes currently not available

You can see details about what is included in the Paris Pass and purchase one here.

So is the Paris Pass worth it?

It depends.

If all you want to do in Paris is go to museums, then perhaps the Paris Museum Pass is the best option for you.

If you want your Paris itinerary to include more activities and tours beyond just museums, then the Paris Pass might be worth it for you!

I recommend the getting the Paris Pass only if you plan to be in town for more than 2 days, as only having 2 days is not enough time to take advantage of the additional attractions including the pass. However, if you are spending at least 3-4 days, you definitely have more time to take advantage of all that is included!

I go over the features of the Paris Pass, its advantages and disadvantages, and everything you need to know in this detailed review.

What did you see in your 2 days in Paris? Was the Paris Museum Pass worth it for 2 days?

Here is where we used our Paris Museum Pass in 2 days in Paris, and the comparative cost if we had purchased admission individually:

The Louvre: €17

The iconic Louvre, one of the most famous and acclaimed art museums in the world, is definitely a must-see on your Paris itinerary! The Louvre houses some of the most famous works in the world, including Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, which almost everyone makes a beeline for.

You can literally spend all day here, but even if you’re limited on time (like we were on our 2 days in Paris), definitely spend at least a few hours here. I would plan out the things you want to see ahead of time to maximize your visit!

Musee d’Orsay: €16

Another one of Paris’s most iconic museums, the Musee d’Orsay is also a must on any Paris itinerary. The highlight here is definitely the Impressionist collection, which feature and impressive array of works from masters such as Monet, Cezanne, van Gogh, Manet, Renoir, and more.

The museum is also housed in an old train station, and the building itself is a beauty to take in as well – be sure to not miss the giant clock tower on the top floor.

Musee l’Orangerie: €12.50

The most famous work at the Musee l’Orangerie is definitely Monet’s massive water lily paintings, which is also definitely the highlight. You should definitely sit and soak in the giant paintings, which depict scenes his garden in Giverny as it turns from light to dark.

While most people go to the Musee l’Orangerie to see the water lilies, the museum also has a small but well-curated collection of other works that are definitely worth checking out. It won’t take much time to make your way through the entire museum, so it is definitely worth tacking on to your itinerary to make the Paris Museum Pass worth it.

Arc de Triomphe: €13

As it is one of Paris’s most iconic sights, you can’t the Arc de Triomphe on your Paris itinerary – and, as a plus, it is one of the attractions included in your Paris Museum Pass! Definitely spend some time admiring the giant arch and taking in all of the ornate details carved on to it.

Then climb up the many stairs to get to the top, where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Paris skyline, and of the Champs d’Elysee. I thought this view had a perfect view of the Eiffel Tower, so definitely take a bunch of photos!

Sainte Chapelle: €11.50

The small but gorgeous Sainte Chapelle ended up being one of my favorite sights during my 2 days in Paris. As it is still somewhat of a hidden gem (although it has definitely gained in popularity recently), it is also a great spot to buy your Paris Museum Pass in person, if you choose to do so.

It is also close to many other attractions included in the Paris Museum Pass, so it is definitely worth a stop! The church is covered in over 600 meters of breathtaking stained glass, which is definitely super impressive!

Versailles: €19.50

Is it worth making a day trip out to Versailles on your 2 days in Paris? My answer is YES, absolutely! I have never seen anything like the grandeur and opulence of Versailles, and I definitely think that it is something worth seeing once. You can make it a half-day trip on a short trip to Paris, and still have plenty of time to explore the city.

My advice is to go as early as you can – at opening if possible! This ends up working out well for two reasons: one, because you get to beat the crowds; and two, because you will have plenty of time to explore the city to make your Paris Museum Pass worth it.

Musee Picasso Paris: €14

The Musee Picasso features over 5000 of the artist’s works, and gives you a unique insight into his life, his work, and the inner workings of his creative mind. It is one of the most extensive Picasso collections in the world. You can either choose to see the Musee Picasso, or switch it out for another attraction on the list – we just happened to stop in because we were nearby.

Total when purchased individually: €89.50
Savings with 2-day Paris Museum Pass (which costs €55): €34.50, so yes, I would say that the Paris museum pass was definitely worth it for us!

We also would have wanted to go up the towers at Notre Dame, but we tried to go there before we had purchased the pass and the line was long. If we had more time, we would also have gone to the Conciergerie, Musée Rodin, and Panthéon.

Here is my 2 days in Paris itinerary that shows you how to make the Paris Museum Pass worth it!

Do you need to make reservations?

While many of the attractions included in the Paris Museum Pass do not require reservations, some of the most popular sights do.

You will need a reservation to visit the following:

• Château de Malmaison
• La Conciergerie
• The Louvre
• Musee l’Orangerie
• Palace of Versailles
• Sainte Chappelle

Instructions on how to make a reservation listed here.

Other tips to keep in mind to make the Paris Museum Pass worth it:

• Pay attention to the opening hours of the museums to really maximize your time (especially if your trip is short) to really make the Paris Museum Pass worth it. For example, the Louvre is open late until 9:45pm on Wednesday and Friday nights, as well as the first Saturday of every month. (note: this is temporarily discontinued but hopefully will come back soon!)
• Most museums and monuments are closed one day of the week; most of them tend to be closed on Monday. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. Look these up before you go so you aren’t disappointed!
• Most of the attractions also have a free day once a month. If you happen to be in town during those times, then a Paris Museum Pass may not be worth getting since you’d get free admission anyway. As always, research ahead of time so you aren’t disappointed.

Ok, but is the Paris Museum Pass worth it for me?

As I said earlier, whether or not the Paris Museum Pass is worth it depends on your individual situation, and your tastes and preferences.

In our case – it was a resounding YES, the Paris Museum Pass was worth it, hands down!

Since this was my first trip to Paris, and part of the appeal of Paris to me was the world-class museums and the monuments. I knew that I would want to see as many of them as possible, and many of them were included, which made the Paris Museum Pass worth it for me. Some people may find these “too touristy” – to which I say,  aren’t these places touristy for a reason?

If you are like me and want to see as many museums and “touristy things” as possible, then I’d say that the Paris Museum Pass is worth it for you as well. Museum hopping was also the perfect activity for us since we visited Paris during the winter, which was another reason that the Paris Museum Pass was worth it in our case.

However, if you’re not a museum person, or you want to get away from doing all the “touristy things,” then I would reconsider if the Paris Museum Pass is worth it for you. If you see yourself wanting to spend more time outdoors, getting lost in all of Paris’s charming alleyways, or sitting in all of the city’s lovely parks and gardens, then I’m not sure that the Paris Museum Pass is worth it.

I definitely found the Paris Museum Pass worth it as a first-time visitor who wanted to see all the highlights, especially in a short period of time. Then again, I would think about what kind of traveler you are – are you the type who is on the go all day, every day, in order to see as much as possible in the limited time that you have? Or do you prefer a more relaxed pace? 

I always have limited time on my trips, but I am the type that wants to see and do as much possible. This  made the Paris Museum Pass worth it for me, especially since it allowed me to save time and skip the line at many of these attractions.. However, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, the Paris Museum Pass may not be worth it for you.

As a first time traveler, I thought found the Paris Museum Pass worth it because it gave me access to all the highlights of Paris, making it a good introduction to the city. However, some people may beg to differ that this does not let you feel the true vibe of the city. I am not sure that I would get it again on subsequent trips to the city – I am not sure that return visitors would find the Paris Museum Pass worth it.

TL: DR, is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?

The Paris Museum Pass may be worth it for you if:

• You are a first-time visitor who wants to see all the highlights of Paris
• You have limited time and want to make the most of it
• You love museums!
• You want the convenience of being able to skip the line
• You love fast-paced trips
• You want the flexibility to see a lot of attractions without having to worry about price

The Paris Museum Pass is probably not worth it for you if:

• You have more than a few days in Paris; the Paris Museum Pass is probably not worth it if you are going to have more than 4 days in the city
• You prefer a more relaxed pace of traveling
• You aren’t a museum person
• You are a budget traveler who probably wouldn’t pay for many of these attractions anyway

Have ever been to Paris? Did you think that the Paris Museum Pass was worth it?

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase or booking, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.