Hello, my question is how long is the life of a pass? For example, if a pass is purchased in April 2015, can it be activated at any point thru March 2016? One year. Or, is it only eligible for activation thru December 2015? End of year.

Please note I'm not asking about actual activation & use of the pass, just how long it potentially could be activated. Thank You. I couldn't find this info on website.

why would anyone buy a Paris Museum Pass before the actual day they want to use it? - I always buy mine at a lesser museum with no lines the day or perhaps a few days before I want to use it.

Why buy a pass if you are not sure you will use it? Absolutely no reason to buy in advance - what is your plan?

Curious as to what you are up to and why?

I often see useful items on eBay - Oyster cards, unused PMPs. People do return from trips and sell such items. Right now, two sellers are offering PMPs in original plastic, sales receipt, etc. One says pass is good into October 2015, the other says end of year. So, colour me curious.

How much can one save on the pass and also not be sure it is not what is advertised? do not passes have names on them so they cannot be shared? Not raining on your parade just curious as to possible savings and then not being sure they are as advertised - good luck!

I would not take the chance, seeing the little difference in price. The one ad I saw on eBay showed two, two day passes for $84. Since the single two day pass sells for €42 in Paris, there is not a big saving with the Euro at $1.08.

C'mon guys: I'm not buying those passes; I just used it to explain my original question re length of life, per Pal's request.

http://en.parismuseumpass.com/

check the official site I guess for validity length and see if names are put on passes, making them only good for that individual.

I'm repeating myself now, but I couldn't find this info on website. And trust me, I'd only be interested in an unused pass still in original packaging.

Why not ask the thing you saw on EBay about what the pass itself says about deadlines to use?

When you buy a pass in Paris, there is no name on it and no date. The date gets put on at your first use. Original packaging? Ours didn't come with any packaging when we bught them at FNAC on the Champs Elysees.

Ours did not come with any packaging either. I would be very careful about buying any type of pass from anyplace other than an official site unless it is such a good deal that you won't be disappointed to be out the money you spent if it is fraudulent. Of course, trying to use a fraudulent pass could get you in trouble with the local authorities.

I just found this in the Museum Pass site:

"The PARIS MUSEUM PASS regularly changes its appearance. Only the version on this site (on sale since April 2010) is currently accepted by museums and monuments. If you are a private individual and you still have copies of the 2006-2009 version, it can still be exchanged but conditions do apply. Write to us here, giving your details, the validity periods and numbers of the passes, and state where you bought them.

We will deal with your request as quickly as possible.

Note: If your application is accepted, you will need to return the old passes to us."

There is a contact number on the website -- you can send an email to the museum, I should think.