My parents (age 69 & 60) are going to Paris next month for a few days. I have 2 questions and hope someone can help:

1. Transportation - I would suggest them buying the carnet. However, I wonder if RATP has senior discount. I went on RATP website and read the page on "senior" (with help from freetranslation.com). My understanding is that the senior discount (senior card) is only for local French people and not for tourists. Therefore my parents should get the carnet. Is this correct?

2. Museum card - I would suggest them getting the Musee Carte. But when I check a few museums' websites, they have "reduced fee" admission. Most of these "reduced fee" are for: children, disabled. But does anyone know if a senior would qualify for the reduced fee? If that's the case, my parents might be better off buying the "reduced fee" ticket at each place. (I don't think the lines would be too bad for early March).

Any insight/suggestions or personal experiences would be great!

You are right that you must be a local resident for senior discounts on RATP passes. YOu need to get some discount card for that and I think you need to get it from your mayor's or social services office.

I don't know how the tarif reduit works for age at museums, but I'm sure someone else will. I know seniors do qualify for reduced tarifs on tickets for some things.

When we were in Paris, we were told that only residents qualified for any of these discounts.

You don't state your nationality.

It's beyond debate that it's illegal for France, or the City of Paris, to discriminate between EU citizens. That, of course, doesn't mean that they don't discriminate illegally.

But my experience with Mrs F's mother is that a flash of her (British)passport gets her Old Age Pensioner discount at all Paris museums and art galleries. Doubtless the same would be true for any EU citizen (or at least any as redoubtable as Mrs F-in-law)

But it IS legal for an institution of the French state to impose different rules on EU citizens from those they impose on foreigners.

So if you're American or Australian, it's quite possible museums etc will enforce the letter of their rules.

I hope this helps. I think the lesson is to be firm and take no **** from the French. As always.

The carnet is a very good idea as is sounds like your parents will not be there long enough to get the use of a Carte Orange. I think they will "come out ahead" if they use the museum pass. With the pass they can skip a long line, make an unplanned stop in some of the smaller museums, etc. If they didn't have a pass and they try to ask for a senior discount at each stop, they may wait a while in a line only to be told "no" and have to pay full price. IMO having the pass would make things easier.

Thanks for all the replies so far. Flanner- my parents are from the US, so they won't be able to enjoy the EU discount.

Looks like they will just get the carnet & Musee Carte.

Thanks again!

The French are very parsimonious with their senior discounts. We [Americans] only managed to get one once, at the Victor Hugo Museum in Paris [and I speak French]!

Hi yk - took Mom (85) to Paris last year. I can't answer your questions about the deals available to seniors since we didn't avail ourselves, but I can tell you that my sister and I wished we'd had canes - Mom was treated like royalty like the Parisians. We did make sure that we stayed at a hotel with a concierge to assist with taxis and tours. All the stairs were difficult for Mom, so we just went slow - everyone was very supportive and helpful. Not at all like the "snobby Parisians" of repute. Don't worry so much about getting the best deal - Hey, it's Paris - the most beautiful city in the world! And a place where age is respected. I'd give anything to grow old there.

Shanna-

I think my parents will have a heart attack if I suggest them to bring a cane! They both exercise everyday and my dad walks faster than me (and I go to the gym everyday as well)!
Thanks for the suggestion though!

The cane... Well, yk, I think our father did use one when going to Huangshan (the Yellow Mountain) some years ago.

Hi Yk, I would think the same as you re a cane, but as we climbed many steps in St. Chappelle - for a concert - my mother, as she was escorted by two young French men, with soft, dark lashes laying against their cheeks, to her seat, fully appreciated what she had contributed to the world. And as the concierge at Angelique's provided her with a chair until our table was ready - HELLO: the Parisians are respectful of age. Recognize that and accept it. It's due, paying the dues, something we are not be aware of it in the United States. Don't let your parents be ashamed or embarrased by taking what is afforded to them. We value too little in the U.S. My parents paid for their place. I hope others will appreciate their contribution. In France, I know they will - in the U.S., I doubt it.

I don't believe you are considered an "official" senior citizen in France until you are 65, so you have one senior and one non-senior according to your post.

I think you can go to the proper French authorities and get a "senior" card, but having to deal with French bureaucracy for a few day stay would be silly. Many museums don't have a senior admission price anyway.

If you get the carnet and the Carte Musee, you'll be fine. BTW, we're in our 60s and haven't needed canes yet. From what I've read on this board, we can walk farther than many younger Fodorites. It all depends on what you do at home. Sounds like your father is just fine.

Hope they enjoy their trip.

Hi yk,

When I went with my mother (64/65 at the time)to Paris I asked for the senior museum admission for her and always was given it without a problem. No need to show passport as proof. My mother wasn't even standing next to me when I bought the tickets (1 regular for me and 1 senior). Tell your parents to ask for the senior (over 60) tickets. It would be good if they had exact change at the ticket window to show they are purchasing 2 senior tickets. That might facilitate the process and avoid explanations.