Paris Museum Pass
 

Hello All,

I'm looking at the Museum and Monuments Pass that rail europe sells for $51 (3 days). It is supposed to include over 70 museums and monuments.

Has anybody used this pass?

Is it worth it?

Is it cheaper there?

Is it hard to get once you are there?

Is there another web site that I can pre-order it before I get there for cheaper than raileurope?

Thanks!

LOTS of people use the museum/monuments pass. However there is no longer a 3-day version. They are now 2, 4 or 6 days.

there is really no reason to buy it ahead of time - you can get it at any of the covered sites and other spots all over Paris.

If you try a search of the forum, you'll see that 'billions' use the pass.
It is 'worth it' if you want to see enough museums whose collective entrance fees is near or over the price of the pass.
It is 'cheaper' in Paris only because any other source has marked it up.
It is available at any museum covered by the pass, and the tourist office.
Don't pre-order it.

Two other important points about the museum pass:
1. It can save you waiting-in-line at the Louvre and Orsay.
2. Whether you buy a 2-day 4-day or 8-day pass, remember that it's for CONSECUTIVE days in all situations.

Even if you approach this with a bookkeeper's mind and come to the conclusion that you didn't exactly make out like a bandit, having the pass will pay off in two non-financial ways: You'll save time by skipping many lines, and you'll feel more adventurous entering a museum (because you don't have to pay) that you're not sure about, so you'll find out about some likes and dislikes without getting hurt.

WK

<i>Has anybody used this pass?</i>

Yes, I have.

<i>Is it worth it?</i>

One of the best things I have ever bought.

<i>Is it cheaper there?</i>

Yes.

<i>Is it hard to get once you are there?</i>

You can buy it at any major Metro station, I got mine at Bastille.

<i>Is there another web site that I can pre-order it before I get there for cheaper than raileurope?</i>

Everything is cheaper than raileurope. Don't but it in advance, it's just one more thing to forget/lose.

The pass includes a <b>lot</b> of attractions, I went to at least three that I hadn't originally planned on just because they were 'free'.

The real savings (especially with the new price scheme) is not financial, but in <b>time</b>. You will not need to wait on a ticket line at any of the covered attractions, and that is potentially the biggest time-killer of your whole trip.

Buy it. In France.

&quot;Everything is cheaper than raileurope.&quot; Many things are but quite a few things are not so a blanket statement like this is simply not based on facts.
To wit: Swiss Passes thru RailEurope currently, and have been for the past two years, cheaper thru RailEurope than at stations in Switzerland.
Eurostar fares of $90 return are often much cheaper than those in pounds or euros.
Last year German point-point tickets for single travelers were well under regular fare at German stations.
London TravelCards were cheaper for the last two years thru RailEurope than in London (no longer true)
Great British Heritage Passes and london Passes likewise were a tad bit cheaper thru RE.
Always check RE but they often are more expensive. Right now i saw a $25 Munich-Rome fare that was available on the RailEurope web site as they are moving to market pricing like in France in Italy.
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater is what i'm saying - no Raileurope does not act like a non-profit, or in the case of many European railways, a loss-making operation but much like a for profit company in the US even though it's owned by the French and Swiss railways for the most part. They sell a product - often at higher prices than in Europe, sometimes cheaper but they offer a service for folks who don't want to go through things that veteran travelers take for granted - thus many are happy to pay a premium for seamless travel. Personally i don't mind struggling thru web sites and standing in ticket lines, it's part of the adventure - others may not and RE does a service, at a price often that many are happy to pay. And some of the railpasses they sell here and are not on sale in Europe are downright bargains for many - the two-country passes, German pass where you can get unlimited travel for as low as $35 a day, etc. etc.

Just remember that many people pick their museums because of special exhibits. The pass only covers the admission to the museum and does not include the special exhibits. If you are going to museums for these exhibits you might not be saving .

Raileurope must have some old passes, so if you only wanted a 3-day pass you'd probably have to get it from them, as they have changed days, as noted above (I think howard meant 6 days). So in Paris you could only get 2,4,6 day passes. It's still too expensive, $51 for 3 days of museums? yikes, that is $17 a day in museum fare. Who spends that? (you could if you went to both Louvre and Orsay in one day, perhaps, as they are the most expensive ones, about 7-8 euro each). I wouldn't recommend you do that, though.

Besides, you can get a 4 day pass in Paris for only 45 euro, which is almost the same price as they want for the 3-day pass (about $54). Raileurope marks them up a lot, the 3 day pass only cost 36 euro which would be around $44.

It's possible that the RailEurope has not updated its information; the current museum pass, as other people have noted, can be bought for 2, 4, or 6 days.

If you've never been to Paris, the 2 day pass at 30 euros seems to me to be a great deal. You can easily spend 30 euros if you want to go, for instance, to the Louvre, the Orsay, check out the Arc de Triomphe, the Rodin Museum, St. Chappelle, and the Cluny. There are places, like the Louvre and Orsay, where you may want to spend some time, but it's also nice to be able to walk in and out of places that you just want to get a feel for. And being able to bypass the lines is worth it! Just remember, that it's two consecutive days that you need to use it (or 4, or 6).

If you've been to Paris before, though, and you don't feel like spending as much time in the main museums, or you want to see some of the other museums, the pass may not cover them. For instance, the very popular Carnavalet is NOT covered by the pass. Nor is the Musee Jaquemart-Andree. So the pass may not be worth it if that is our plan.

Personally, I see no reason to buy the museum ahead of time. It's generally a bit more expensive to do it from a tourist website, and very easy to buy it at any of the museums that use the card.
Paule

bookmarking

Thanks everyone for the information! I wonder if raileurope still has the 3 day pass because they have some inventory left over?

We just returned from Paris today and did get the 4 day pass. We found it to be worthwhile especially the fact of not having to wait in line. Our daughter and boyfriend were there as well and had gone to one of the museums without the pass and said the line was so long so we gave them ours to use for the afternoon and they were able to get right in.

The busiest (and priciest) museums (included with the pass) are the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay.

In my observation (over many, many trips to Paris and re-visits to many museums), the two-day pass is the most economical.

A museum pass question: can one use this pass to enter the same museum mutiple times? For example, if I get a 4-day pass, can I go to the Louvre on all four days (apart from other museums), and more than once on the same day?

Ady,

Yes, you can go as often as you want to any museum throughout the duration of the pass - they don't stamp it or scan it, you just show it.

thanks,laughingd2.
As I'll be in Paris for 11 days (minus two days in the Loire valley), I guess a 4- or 6-day pass would be great for me. Guess I could start my day with Louvre every day :-)

I actually did go to the Louvre about 3 times on a pass one week. I would pop in each evening and spend a few hours before closing. It really helps to break that place down into small chunks. The only problem is that you need years of small chunks to see it all!

Are you still able to buy the passes at metro stations?

I thought I read on another thread here a little while ago that you couldn't.

According to the official site, they are no longer sold at Metro stations.
http://tinyurl.com/kmyc5

I am arriving in Paris via the airport and staying at Quai Voltaire. I want to buy the two day pass. Musee D'orsay is my first stop museum-wise. Is that where I should buy it, or is there another more convenient place before I hit the museum? Thanks!

How much is the two day pass? And it includes the military museum and Napolens tomb?

The Orsay would certainly be convenient in terms of location, but that's about the one museum where there are often long lines to enter -- so it may not be convenient to buy it there if you have to wait in line. When I've been there, there were no separate lines for people just to buy that pass, so it wasn't a good place to buy it as you had to wait in line, anyway. If no line, of course, it's fine.

Instead, try buying it at the small museum of the Legion of Honor and Chivalric Orders which is on the same square as the west side of the Orsay Museum (but few people go there). It's at 2 rue de Bellechasse or the parvis of the Orsay Museum. It is also included on the pass so you can buy it there.

I'm not sure, since I've never bought it at Musee d'Orsay - but wouldn't the Pass be purchased at the advance ticket window, and not on the general admissions queue? If not, then no the Orsay isn't the best place to buy it.

But Christina's suggestion is probably the best anyway.

I agree that it's best to purchase the pass at one of the smaller museum's OR at a TI. My last trip I purchased mine at the main TI there on the Champs-Elysees No need to get it through Rail Europe and pay the extra unless you just absolutely have to have it ahead of time. I loved the look on people's faces as we walked by them at the Orsay and preceeded inside bypassing the long long line! Almost makes you feel like royalty!

We were there a couple years ago and bought passes on the internet before we left. I was very sorry. When we got there, all the museums were on strike.

You can buy the passes at the Paris Convention and Visitor's Bureau offices. See en.parisinfo.com/ for a listing of their locations.

I only looked for a place at Orsay to buy the pass once, so perhaps I missed it -- but I did not see any window anywhere at Orsay where you could bypass the regular line and just buy the pass. They also had signs up in the bookstore (for folks who thought that would be a shortcut) that you cannot just go in the bookstore and buy the pass, either. Perhaps that has changed, but that's all I know--my experience is from a couple years ago.

Perhaps now you can buy the pass at the advanced ticket window (they accept the pass there, as well as those with tickets or yearly memberships, but not sure if they sell it, that's the key thing). There is also the museum kiosque by the front which also sells the pass -- of course, there could be a line there, also.

I think if you go over there, it's certainly worth looking around and finding out if you can buy the pass there without waiting in line. The Legion d'Honneur museum sometimes runs out of the passes, though, because so many people do go over there if they can't get them at the Orsay, as it is the closest museum.

We found the pass invaluable for the time saved. We enjoyed the Musee d'Orsay so much that we needed more than one visit to appreciate it all. The pass allowed us to bypass huge lines and virtually walk right in -- this was last week. Can't even imagine the lines in summer. I even just wanted to pop back in to go to the gift shop and when I did the plaza outside was crammed with people, yet I just walked in. There was quite a line for Ste. Chapelle as well, and we were able to get right in.

A good way to purchase the pass is just to choose a &quot;lesser&quot; museum as your first visit and purchase your pass at that time. We bought ours at the Conciergerie. (incidentally, we didn't find this museum all that interesting, although some might) You wouldn't necessarily have to actually go into the museum if you're not interested, just buy your pass there. Although I agree having the pass does make you willing to try a museum that you might otherwise pass on visiting. No need to purchase the pass before you get to Paris -- you'll just pay more for it and run the risk of leaving it home or not receiving it in the mail, or buy it ahead and having your plans change in the interim and not be able to exchange or refund the passes. Best to buy it the day you plan to start using it.

Another bonus to having the pass is being able to pop into a museum just to use the bathroom.

I have friends who will be in Paris several days before me. Can I have them buy me my two day pass and then activate it when I get there, or is it activated the day you buy it? Thanks!

The clock starts the first time you use it. So buy it any time and then when you have 2 days of &quot;museum intensive&quot; sightseeing, start using the Pass.

No one's mentioning Versailles as being included in the pass. It was when I used it, and the line was like nothing I've ever seen before so being able to bypass it was worth the price of the pass alone!

My goal during my extended stay in Paris (Oct 9-Nov 27, 2005) was to visit every museum covered by on The Pass, in 7 weeks I made it to all but 3! Here's a review of all the museums covered on the Paris Museum Pass from my trip report.

Over the course of my stay I purchased several passes for myself and visiting guests. I found the best place to purchase the pass was the Conciergerie Museum (1e), near Ste Chapelle. Never a line, walked in, walked out. Credit cards accepted. I was going to Notre Dame since it was close to where I was staying but you have to wait outside on line for a while before you get close to the ticket window. During my stay I tried purchasing at various Metro Stations, they never had passes on hand.

From a pure cash management stand point the cards are the way to go, especially if you can use your credit card to make the purchase for a better exchange rate. For time management, bypass the ticket windows at most of the museums. A few museums do require you to wait in line in order to issue you one of their official entrance tickets. I did not use the pass at Versailles, since it did not cover all the various entrance points; instead I purchased a Versailles Day Pass upon arrival that covered everything.

During my stay the following museums closed upon arrival, unfortunately not noted as closed in the Museum Pass handout that comes with the card at time of purchase. It’s difficult to tell when the handout was printed, these cards may have been sitting in the museum shop a while…

Musee national des Arts et Traditions popularies, 16e
Described as French ethnological heritage, everyday items, archives, audio visual presentations.
Closed! It wasn’t until I arrived at the museum that I discovered it was closed. In reading the sign it seems this museum is being converted into the museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations and relocated. I pulled up the website when I came home and found… reads: For the first time in France a national museum will move to the provinces, to Marseille. By decision of the Ministry for the Arts the Mus&eacute;e National des Arts et Traditions populaires (MNATP) will be transformed into a museum of European and Mediterranean civilizations.
http://www.musee-europemediterranee.org/

Musee Hebert, 6e
Closed for renovation, managed by d’Orsay
http://www.musee-orsay.fr/ORSAY/ORSA...x?OpenDocument
A good area for window shopping and wandering. Check out Pomme et Poire at 105 rue du Cherche-Midi (www.pommeetpoire.com), beautiful display of glassware, ceramics and jewelry made in France, several other interesting shops and cafes in the areas.

Musee Jean Jacques Henner, 17e
Described as… Paintings and drawings by Henner (1829-1905)
A quick walk from the Musee Camando and upon arrival there was a noticed on the door, “Closed for Renovation” with no re-opening date.

Additional closures:

Musee du Cinema
Scheduled to open in 2006

Musee d’Ennery
http://www.museums-of-paris.com/musee_en.php?code=499
No re-opening date
Remarkable collection of objects illustrating daily life, beliefs in China and Japan from the twelfth century to the nineteenth century. Presentation of the collections in a sumptuous second Empire setting.

Now Open – closed during my stay
Musee national de l’Orangerie des Tuileries
http://www.discoverfrance.net/France...rangerie.shtml

Review:
Arc de Triomphe, 8e
By pass the ticket counter and go to the stairwell entry, flash your card and starting walking up. Toilets on the first level, museum on the second level another set stairs and you’re on the terrace.

Musee de l’Armee at Invalides &amp; Tomb of Napoleon, 7e
http://www.invalides.org/
Closed first Monday of every Month
I went to Invalides over two days (Nov 24 &amp; 25), both days the museum closed at 4:45P instead of 6P. Not sure if it’s a seasonal or staffing issue.

WWII Exhibits
Commentary in French but the visual presentation of the exhibit and video clips make it easy to follow along, quite large, allow a good hour, perhaps 90 minutes.

Armour WWI Exhbits
Still closed for renovation

Louis XIV to Napoleon III Exhibits
The history of France from 1650 to 1871 as recounted through its army battles and Napoleonic souvenirs.
Commentary in French but I enjoyed the Cavalry exhibit and Napeleon’s horse &amp; dog (stuffed). Several floors and quite a bit to look at, just casually wandering, took me about an hour.

Centre Pompidou-Musee national d’Art Moderne, 4e
www.centrepompidour.fr
By pass entry, take the escalators to the top floor, (great views) flash your card, enter and work your way down.
I know very little about 20 century art, which is probably why I waited till the end of my stay to visit the Pompidou. I walked through the galleries on the 5th floor and purchased a few books. Incredible selection of books and postcards! I’ve decided to make 20th century art a homework assignment and will make a return visit to the Pompidou on the next trip. A Martin Scorsese cinema exhibit opened the night I went and will be on until March 6, 2006.

Musee National des Arts Asiatiques, 16e
http://www.museeguimet.fr/
Closed Tuesdays
Described as… Exceptional collection of sculptures, paintings and objects d’art illustrating the diverse cultures and civilizations of the continent of Asia, with a scope which is as vast in time (five thousand years) as it is in the area (from India to Japan). After 20th century art I know even less about Asian art but this museum was a joy to walk through. The rooms are very thoughtfully laid out. If short on time, pick a region and wander, I spent most of my time walking through the Tibet and Japan rooms. The museum is a good size but easy to navigate and access a specific region of interest. I purchased the Guimet Museum guide, provides a nice introduction. Along with Pompidou, the Guimet is on return visit list. Highly recommended, spend 30-60 minutes or more.

Musee des Arts et Meitiers, 3e
www.arts-et-metiers.net
No Museum Pass bypass line, wait in line, flash your card at the counter and to get an admission ticket. Take the elevator to the second floor to begin. Get the audio guide, the more prominent items have English descriptions but there’s a lot of intriguing items to look at. The Museum Pass booklet description reads as… From the abbey founded by the kinds to the republican conservatoire, from the holy relics to the voltaic pile, an exceptional experience, follow the footsteps of inventors and discover the secrets of the machines and instruments.

Anyone interested in engineering, science and the mechanics of how things would work would love this museum, however, that does not describe me, but this museum was the greatest escape from the abundance of art museums and I enjoyed it thoroughly. The museum is quite large, wide aisles, airy, and bright. Lots of mini videos screens that demonstrate how various machines worked. Take a seat on one of the many leather sofas and play with the touch screen monitors or read through the display books. Go into the abbey section of the museum, interesting display set up of antique automobiles. A very nice caf&eacute;, again with leather chairs, a small gift shop and a great courtyard outside. This is probably the most kid friendly venue I’ve seen yet. For first time visitors with 10-14 days I would add this museum or add to your 2nd visit to do list.

Musee de l’Assistance Publique-Hospitaux de Paris, 5e
www.aphp.fr
2 minute walk from the Notre Dame, Left Bank, back side of the cathedral.
Closed Mondays, holidays, and the month of August
Described as….Devoted to the history of the hospitals of Paris from the foundation of the H&ocirc;tel-Dieu in the 7th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the museum displays collections whose diversity shows the many aspects of hospital life: paintings, etchings and photographs, pharmacy items and treatment equipment, furniture, archives and textbooks. I think this museum is worth a visit for 2nd time visitors or anyone in the medical / health field. The museum houses a wide arrange of items, the pharmacy jars (ceramic) are gorgeous and the surgery paintings are truly fascinating. Allow 45 minutes.

Chapelle Expiatory, 8e
After Nov 1st open Thurs, Fri &amp; Sat from 1-5PM.
Described as… Built at Louis XVIII's request, the &quot;Chapelle Expiatoire&quot; is dedicated to the memory of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette. It is located at the former place of a graveyard where 3 000 victims of the Revolution were buried in mass graves. The expiatory chapel was designed by the architect Pierre-Fran&ccedil;ois-L&eacute;onard Fontaine in 1815. It was built on the site of the cemetery where Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette were buried after having been guillotined in the present place de la Concorde in 1793. This unknown masterpiece is the symbol of the Restoration. Contrary to the great civic monuments built in the 19th century, this funerary edifice is first a religious monument. For the architectural composition and the beauty of the sculpting, this rather small &quot;temple&quot; is a perfect example of the late Neoclassicism. In this expiatory monument, art and memory are perfectly combined.

An easy walk (5-10 minute) from the Madeline Church, up Blvd Malesherbes to Rue Anjou, the building is the middle of Square Louis XVI (small park). A very informative handout card in English is available at the ticket office. Odd opening times make it a challenge to visit, but well worth it, allow 30-45 minutes.

Another easy walk (15 minutes) up Blvd Malesherbes and you’re at Musee Camondo.

Cite des Sciences et de l’Industrie, 19e
Closed Mondays
www.cite-sciences.fr
Described as… The biggest museum in Europe on science and technology.
Big is not the world, its mammoth and probably the ultimate destination for kids in Paris outside of Euro Disney. It’s a 15 minute walk through the park from the Musee de la Musique or take the metro to Porte de la Villette.

As soon as you arrive in Paris you’ll see thousands of ads for the Star Wars L’Expo, this is where it’s at until August 27, 2006. The Star War exhibit is E10,50 or add the Effects Film and the price goes to E17,90, slightly less for children under 7.

Many of the exhibits are presented in English such as Endangered Plants, Star Wars, Biometrics: The Body as Identity, Open Questions, Vitrum, the Art and Science of Glass in the Roman World and Water for All. Maybe it doesn’t sound exciting but the kids will love the play rooms. And the play rooms were packed today as it was a snowy and cold November Saturday. There are two science villages for kids ages 3-5 and 5-12, sessions must be reserved at the ticket disk, 4 or 5 sessions a day last 90 minutes and cost E5,50. There is also a Shadows Revealed exhibit for kids, until September 5, 2006, looks way cool. The museum has plays several shows and films, but the Planetarium will be closed from January 3 to July 4, 2006. Free aquarium but the Argonaute submarine costs E3. I would say this is a good half day if not all day visit.

Conciergerie, 1e
Flash your card at the ticket counter for entry and than more time upon entering the Great Hall.
Former royal palace turned prison, includes Marie-Antoinette’s cell. I only went to for the cell, a recreation on half of the former cell location. If you have an abundance of time, cruise in to the see the cell, otherwise you’re not missing much. There was a never a line here, great place to buy your museum pass even if you do not plan on touring the Conciegerie.

Musee national Eugene Delacroix, 6e
Closed Tuesdays
The museum is housed in part of the Delacroix’s apt and studio, it’s very a small museum but worth a visit, there’s a great courtyard outside to enjoy. Allow about 30 mins or so, very close to St Germain des Pres if you’re in the area, swing by, it’s a nice change of pass from the big museums. The museum is located in home decorating central, fabric and home accessory stores everywhere you look. If you have more than 5 days on your first visit worth considering, or put on the 2nd visit to do list, easy to get to.

Musee des Egouts de Paris, 7e
Paris Sewer System Tour: Yes, it does smell. The museum was interesting and the commentary in French and English was excellent. Provides an overview of how the city evolved and grew. At the end there a few TVs with video files that show what happens when Seine overflows from heavy rain, videos are short but well done.
If you have more than 5 days on your first visit worth considering, or put on the 2nd visit to do list, easy to get to. The entrance is small glass both along side the river.

Musee Galliera-Musse de al Mode de la Ville de Paris, 1e
http://www.v1.paris.fr/musees/musee_...ra/default.htm
History of Fashion. Not bad, not sure if I would add to your must see list except the building and grounds make it worth a gander. A small building set inside a fantastic little park, lots of places to sit, fountain and grassy areas. Ideal spot for a picnic and easy access to the toilets inside the museum!

Musee de l’Institut du monde arabe, 5e
Closed Mondays
www.imarabe.org
Described as… Arab and Islamic art and civilizations, works from Syrian and Tunisian museums. Start on the 7th floor and work your way down. At the end of Blvd St Germain across from the Ile St Louis and the Pont de Sully. The modern interior is a nice change of pace, well laid out, and overall a very nice collection. Allow 60-90 minutes and check out the calendar for special expositions (not covered by Museum Pass).

Musee du Louvre, 1e
www.louvre.fr
Closed Tuesdays, open late until 945P on Weds and Fri
After the security bag check, pick up a map, go to the wing entrance (of your choice) and get right in with the museum pass.

Musee national de la Marine, 16e
www.musee-marine.fr
Closed Mondays
Described as… History of the French navy from the 17th century to the present day. Thematic approach to shipbuilding, nautical instruments, paintings and sculptures.

The museum is across the river from the Eiffel Tower, a popular spot for tower photography. The ship models are incredible, all sizes. There’s a model ship building shop where you can watch the models being built / repaired. Loads of display cases containing nautical instruments and memorabilia. The paintings are absolutely amazing, a wide range of subjects from navy battles, sailing, air force carriers, container ships, row boats, fish and anything related to oceanography.

This museum is a must do for anyone interested in ships, sailing and or boating. If you’re not a sailor, just head downstairs and take a look at the painting exhibits, very worthwhile just for the range and quality of work. Beautiful exhibition of Japanese prints and watercolors. It’s not a hands on museum but the kids may enjoy abundance and variety of the model ships. Fantastic book store, most books in French but it was fun to browse the coffee table / photography books.

Musee de la Mode et du Textile, 1e
Musee des Arts decoratifs, 1e
www.ucad.fr
Closed Mondays

No bypass line, must get an admission ticket
Described as temporary exhibitions about contemporary fashion and accessories. The museum is just down the street for the Carousel de Louve entrance, the gift shop has an incredible book selection. The textile fashion displays are well down and the use of video makes it more interesting since all the commentary is in French. But the jewelry display needs no translation, Oh My! Absolutely beautiful, if anything skip the fashion and go right in to see the jewelry. If you have more than 5 days on your first visit worth considering, or put on the 2nd visit to do list, easy to get to.

Musee de la Monnaie, 6e
Closed Mondays
www.monnaiedeparis.fr
Described as… Development and coinage manufacturing techniques from ancient times to present day. The commentary is in French, unless you are a coin collector I would skip this museum. Although if you would like to buy a gift for a coin collection the boutique is gorgeous! Located on the Left Bank, very easy to get to from the Louvre, cross on Pont des Arts.

Musee Gustave Moreau, 9e
Closed Tuesdays and closed during lunch.
The museum was Moreau’s apt and studio he built in 1895. The apartment was lovely, a pleasant change from the big museums, having the opportunity to see where the artist lived and worked. The second and third floor studios are amazing. Along the windows there are cabinets containing small framed prints on hinges. Slide back the curtain and flip through the frames, similar to a poster rack. In the center of the rooms are large cabinets with hinged prints for viewing as well. Overall very nice, allow about an hour, If you have more than 5 days on your first visit worth considering, or put on the 2nd visit to do list, easy to get to, follow signs from Trinite Metro.

Musee national de Moyen Age, 5e
www.musee-moyenage.fr
Closed Tuesdays
Bag check required, by pass the ticket counter and flash your museum pass card, entry through the gift shop.
Home of the famous (and beautiful) Unicorn tapestries and Roman Baths, enjoyable, allow about 90 minutes.

Musee de la Musique, 19e
http://www.cite-musique.fr/
Described as… A rich collection of musical instruments from the 16th century up to modern times.
Open Noon to 6P, Tuesday – Friday and 10A-6P on Saturday

Absolutely amazing John Lennon special exhibit! Go! Go! Go! By far one of the best “special exhibits” I’ve seen in a long time. A fantastic mix of music, video, art and memorabilia, particularly the Peace Bed you can lay and watch the Peace Bed interview. Fun and lively! The kids enjoyed the many music filled red telephone booths with video monitors. The exhibit is on until June 2006. The museum is easy to reach, right outside the Porte de Pantin metro. Allow at least 90 minutes for the Lennon exhibit.

The permanent collection is worth a look if time allows. Audio guide included and recommended. The audio guide automatically turns on and tunes into the section of instruments you’re looking at. Talks about the instruments and plays musical examples. Several floors to wander, allow 60-90 minutes. The book store has a wide variety of books and CDs. The John Lennon exhibit book was nice, but at 30 Euros I passed.

Musee Nissim de Camondo, 8e
www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr
No bybass line, flash your museum pass at the counter, pick up an admission ticket and handout at the ticket counter.
Described as…. Visit this museum for a keen insight into the decorative arts of the 18th century. The pre-World War I town house was donated to the Mus&eacute;e des Arts D&eacute;coratifs by Comte Mo&iuml;se de Camondo in memory of his son, Nissim, a French aviator killed in combat during World War I. The museum is like the home of an aristocrat -- rich with needlepoint chairs, tapestries (many from Beauvais or Aubusson), antiques, paintings, bas-reliefs, silver, Chinese vases, crystal chandeliers, S&egrave;vres porcelain, Savonnerie carpets, and even a Houdon bust. The Blue Salon, overlooking Parc Monceau, is most impressive. The kitchen of the original mansion has been reopened in its original format, capable of serving hundreds of dinner guests at one time, with few alterations from its original Belle Epoque origins. Fittings and many of the cooking vessels are in brass or copper, and the walls are tiled.

For a visit time visitor with 7 or more days I would add this museum to your sightseeing list and a must do for those on return trips to Paris. The former residence provides an outstanding overview from the art collector stand point. You really come a way with a sense of how one wealthy family lived, collected and displayed art in that period. It’s a much different take than the traditional art museum environment, beautiful and very enjoyable. English handout dates the key pieces in each room. Allow 60-90 minutes, tours available in French only.

Tours de Notre-Dame, 4e
No pass bypass line for the towers. Facing the cathedral, the tower entrance is on the left.

Crypte archeologique du Parvis de Notre Dame, 4e
Well… you’re already in the neighborhood, check it out. Allow 15-20 mins for a casual walk through.

Musee de l’Ordre de la Liberation, 7e
Closed first Monday of each month
Museum of France after the Liberation, the French Resistance and Deportation.
Unless I missed something, this museum consisted of a long hallway within the Hotel des Invalides with info banners and a few exhibit pieces. The door at the end of the hall was locked, hmm.

Musee d’Orsay, 7e
http://www.musee-orsay.fr
Closed Mondays, open late on Thursday night
With the Museum Pass enter around the corner in entrance C/D. The escalators to the top floors are on the opposite end of where you enter. Take the escalators to the top floor, good photo opp of Sacre Coeur through the clock window. Also up there is a small book counter is a great place to buy museum books and prints if the gift shop is packed with people.

Pantheon, 5e
Described as…The architectural masterpiece of Soufflot consecrated to Sainte Genevieve, was transformed during the Revolution into a Pantheon of Great Men. I like the Rick Steves’ guide books and he lists the Pantheon as a Paris disappointment but I enjoyed the museum. At 2:30P there’s a walk up to the Dome. The tour to the dome is lead but no commentary, but questions are allowed. We walked to three different levels, the first level within the building over looking the pendulum, the second two outside. The third level at the top of the dome offered amazing views. Great views of Notre Dame and Sacre Coure, a bit hazy but the view of the Eiffel Tower was decent and with a bit of effort you can find the very top of the Arc de Triomphe. . If you have more than 5 days on your first visit worth considering, or put on the 2nd visit to do list, try and time to go up to the Dome, fantastic photo opps. Note: Dome closed in winter, after Oct 31st.

Musee national Picasso, 3e
www.musee-picasso.fr
Closed Tuesdays
Go right to the museum entrance, straight ahead upon entering the cobblestone courtyard, flash your card to get in, the ticket counter is off the right. The museum is larger than I expected, very enjoyable. On display were several of his sketch books and on the computers you could flip through the sketch books to see the other pages, very well done. Close to the Victor Hugo mansion, great neighborhood to wander around. If you have more than 5 days on your first visit worth considering, or put on the 2nd visit to do list.

Musee des Plans-reliefs, 7e
Closed Tuesdays
Located on the 4th floor above the Louis XIV to Napoleon III Exhibits
Described as…A unique collection of models of French cities and their surrounding countryside commission by the state of from Louis XIV to Napoleon III. Relief maps are scale models of fortified sites, made from 1668 and onwards. These strategic tools provided an accurate representation of towns and the surrounding countryside within artillery range. First impression, was wow just on the number and size of the relief maps! The room is really dark and it’s a bit to adjust and realize how many maps are in the room. I think the most interesting is the Mont St Michel, and worth a visit. When you enter the room, turn left and Mont St Michel is the last map. Allow 15-20 minutes.

Musee Rodin, 7e
http://www.musee-rodin.fr/
Closed Mondays
Bypass the ticket booth and flash your museum pass card to get in. A first visit must do, around the corner from Napoleon’s Tomb, east to get to. Nice caf&eacute; and a great spot to eat your bag lunch.

Sainte-Chapelle, 1e
A first visit must do, close to Notre Dame. No museum pass bypass line, security lines can be slow.

I did not make to:

Aquarium Tropical, 12e
Closed Tuesdays

Musee de la Poste, 15e
Closed first Monday of every Month
On my free Printemps map it shows this museum on Rue Vaugirard near St Sulpice, but its on Blvd Vaugiard near the Montparnasse. I gave up after searching Rue V.

Musee de la Publicite, 1e
www.ucad.fr
Closed Mondays
Museum of advertising.

bookmarking

ttt

Seeksocean - If you are staying on the Quai Voltaire, you can walk across the bridge and buy your pass in the shopping mall beneath the Louvre at the Tourist Center.

Are you actually staying at the Hotel Quai Voltaire? This is a quirky 2 star, and my friends and I love it and the desk clerks who are just as quirky!!