Is there a best way to enter the Louvre, to avoid long lines? I will have a Museum pass.

well, if you have the pass, then there shouldn't be any long lines to worry about. The pass itself gives you instructions on where to enter at the Louvre with a pass (use Passage Richelieu between pl du Palais-Royal and the Cour Napoleon).

We always have a pass and go down the escalator through the Pyramid and in that way-no lines at all. Or if you come in through the Metro, you can walk past the shops and straight into the museum, showing your pass as you pass the guards.<BR>Enjoy!

Where is the best place to buy the museum pass, and how much does it cost? Can it be purchased online? Also, is there a similar pass for the Uffizi in Florence? Thanks for any info.

We buy our Paris passes from a French man in Texas who owns a travel agency<BR>But I believe you can get them online or from any travel agent.

Museum pass costs: one-day, 15 euro; three-day, 30 euro; five-day, 45 euro.<BR>They can be purchased at anhy one of the facilities that accept it, as well as at major metro stations and tobacco shops. Your best best is to buy one at one of less crowded sites (i.e., Arc de Triomphe, Rodin Museum, etc.). Don't bother buying one in advance. It costs more than way, and it's really very simple to get one once you're in Paris. <BR>Keep in mind that you can buy one in advance of the day or days you plan to use, as it doesn't go into effect until you use it the first time.

PS: Don't be thrown off by the long lines if you have a museum pass. Just walk by them up to the entrance. However, keep in mind that you have to go through a security line as well.

I have a stupid question: I bought the tickets in advance through a link on the louvre web site ($8 a piece). I got tickets in the mail. Doesn't look like a pass that I got when I was there last time. So my stupid question is: are these tickets the same as what I keep reading is a 'pass'?

Mia, not a stupid ? at all! you bought tickets to the Louvre...the musuem pass gets you into numerous museums all over Paris. Cost is 15/30/45 Euro for a 1/3/5 day pass. They have to be used on consecutive days. Even if you won't save much on entrance fees, the best part is skipping the lines. You buy the pass at any museum on the list, or in most Metro stations.<BR><BR>A list of sites included in the pass can be found at the following site:<BR><BR>http://www.museums-of-paris.com/list-museum-pass.htm<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!<BR><BR>Anne

Mia, if the tickets cost $8, then you bought tickets just for the Louvre and not the pass (as I think Anne said).