After going over several books and web pages, I figured out (I think) that the Museum Pass does not cover the Eiffel Tower and the Versailles, as well as the dome of the Sacre Coeur. Can any one confirm this? It would determine whether I need to buy the Museum Pass and, I do, how to plan my stay to maximise its use. I will have two full days and two half days around a weekend. <BR> <BR>Thanks for any help.

http://www.geocities.com/zpinaddict/parishtm/cmusee.htm this site will lay it out for you...

Thanks Alice for a great link.

that is incorrect so you should get some better resources; the Eiffel Tower is not covered (it is actually privately-owned, I believe, is the reason); Versailles is covered and is included on the official list. You might not notice it in French, it will probably be listed as "Musee National des Chateaux de Versailles" the main homepage for this pass (officially called La Carte Musees et Monuments) is www.intermusees.com; it is under construction, but you can find this list if you know how to go in the back door by this URL: www.intermusees.com/queries/index.idc?Lang=FR

Re: Versailles, unfortunately it is not a simple yes/no response. Yes the pamphlet that comes with the Museum Pass says Chateau and Trianons are covered. But that is not all there is at Versailles. <BR> <BR>What are not covered are special exhibits, the large portion of the garden with fountains on fountain days, the Son-et-Lumiere night shows, or the tram ride if you choose not to walk to Trianons or Hameau. <BR> <BR>You can look at the pass as way to save money, or even if you do not break even, you will save mega waiting time at Louvre and Versailles. If you see the waiting line at Versailles, you'll be glad you have the pass.

To my recollection, the Pass also covers the Musee d'Orsay, Rodin, Pompidou Center (I think) and only a portion of Versailles. I think you have about 2 to 3 days to use it. Can't remember what else it covers.

Oh yes, and of course the Louvre it doth cover, however the statues are covered not.

Having initiated this thread, I thought I would share what I ended up doing. <BR> <BR>I bought the 3-day Museum Pass for 170FF and it was well worth it. Using the pass , I was able to cover the Louvre (including a one hour repeat), Orsay, Pompidou, Rodin, Invalides, Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle, Pantheon, Monde Arab, Arc de Triomphe and Versailles. Without the pass, it would have cost more than 400F. I also had time left over for the Eiffel Tower, Sacre Coeur, Catacombs and the boat tour on the Seine, for which I had to pay separately. I had adequate time at all of them. Even though it was February and cold, there were line ups at Louvre, Notre Dame (for the tower) and the Arc de Triomphe, which made the museum pass all the more worthwhile.

Welcome back, KS!!! <BR>Now, how about sharing some of your experiences and insights! I am so desperate to get back to Paris, it has been three years since I've been. <BR>Do Tell!

I hope you are not kidding. I will be brief. <BR> <BR>- For me, the Louvre was the best museum by far. Most interesting, apart from the usual suspects, were: <BR>1) The large room with 24 paintings by Rubens on French History, commissioned by Marie de Medici. <BR>2) What I call "The Crying Game" sculpture in marble of a fully reclining nude. <BR>3) The amount of nudity on display in both paintings and sculptures. To think that, these were the same peoples who were running around the rest of the world telling the pagans to cover up. <BR> <BR>- The Pantheon is remarkable not only for its beauty, but also for its crypt, where some of France's heroes from all walks of life are buried. It is heartening to see how the French recognize their heroes, and not just the military ones. <BR> <BR>- The Saint Chapelle would get the third star (NHL terminology)for its huge stained glass windows. <BR> <BR>- The Versailles, of course is in a class of its own. It was underwhelming when approached from the front, but then grows on you, literally. Despite the long walk, I would recommend visiting the Trianons, if only to learn that there is more to Marie Antoinette than the phrase "Let them eat cake". <BR> <BR>- The "I can't miss it, even if I wish they never had it in the first place" award goes to the Catacombs. <BR> <BR>- A little French goes a long way, particularly in some McDonald's restaurants, where even the queue organiser may not speak English. <BR> <BR>- The versatility of the Paris Metro musicians was evident from the fact that I heard 7 different instruments in 3 days. <BR> <BR>- When you go any museum, take the trouble to read up the descriptive panels for the area you are visiting. These are available in many languages and you can either sit down and read them or take it along as you tour that part of the museum. <BR> <BR>KS