Paris museums
 

I am a new Fodorite and can see I am likely to become addicted quickly as my very first question got answered so quickly and competently. My question: most of the major juseums seem to be closed on Mondays. Are there some museums open on Mondays?

Hi - I think the Louvre is open on Monday but closed Tuesday. Here is a link to a reference page I've used before that lists all of the museums and information. Have fun, Paris is a great place to visit!

http://www.paris-tourisme.com/museums/

Here is another site I've used for planning. I'm not sure if one is more current than the other but I have found both to be helpful.

http://www.bonjourparis.com/

City museums are closed on Monday (Orsay, for example) and national museums are closed on Tuesday. Look in your guide book.

What is the best Museum Pass for one, two or three days? Where is the best place to purchase? Thanks

Do you mean how much. The pass is for one, three or five days and it begins its countdown on the first day of use. They can be purchased at metro stations. Unless you are going to really really go to museums, it may not be necessary. The Orsay is about the only museum where the line is very long and therefore the pass is good for bypassing it.
We usually buy a 3 day pass and wander into museums as we think about them.

You can get the pass at any of the museums also. I usually pick it up at a smaller museum (less waiting in line). The advantage to it is that you don't have to wait in line. As Gretchen mentioned, lines probably at the Orsay or Louvre only. The other advantage is that I don't feel like I have to see everything at once, I can go in for a few hours, leave and come back later without paying to re-enter. The pass is not good for all museums - but for most of them. I can't remember the "break even" amount for whether the pass is a savings or not; but for me, the benefit of the pass is the convenience of not standing in line and the flexibility to come and go as I want. Don't buy the pass until you get to Paris, it isn't worth the extra money as they are easy to buy there. Have a great trip!

According to my list of places I wrote down to see when I go to Paris next week -- The Louvre, Cluny, Picasso & Pompidou are closed on Tuesday, Versailles & Rodin closed on Monday.

We were debating whether to buy the museum pass for the whole week...I think we will mostly because so much of what we want to see is covered, PLUS, you don't have to wait in any lines to get into those places (time=money) AND if you're passing by the Pompidou and want to use a restroom, you can get in to use the facilities with or without stopping by to see some Andy Worhol.

Happy travels,

Jules

Another place with long lines which can be bypassed with the Carte Musee is Versailles.

When we were in Paris for two weeks, we bought a 5-day pay and regretted doing so. We should bought a 3-day and a 1-day or two 1-day passes.