Like a number of cities around the world, Paris has recently adopted the system of a City Pass for tourists.  The City Pass gives you direct access to the local museums without having to queue to get in, as well as obtaining unlimited access to public transport. Two different passes are available – the Paris PassLib’ and the Paris Museum Pass. To help you decide which one to chose, France Hotel Guide gives you its advice in this article on the pros and cons of each pass.

The Paris Museum Pass

The Paris Museum Pass is essentially a queue ticket to visit Paris’ monuments and museums.

Available over 2, 4 or 6 days, it guarantees you quick access to 60 essential monuments in Paris and the Paris region.

You can visit the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre or Versailles or the Château de Chantilly.

The Museum Pass can be ordered online and can be picked up at the Paris Tourist Office. You can buy it in advance and activate it whenever you want.

Please note, however, that the days of use must be consecutive and cannot be spread over several visits.

Also pay attention to the opening days of the museums when preparing your visits (many museums are closed on Tuesdays, for example).

Moreover, do not forget that transport is not included and that you must add the price of subway tickets.

Gratuity: For young people under 26 years of age from the European Union, and all young people under 18 years of age, most museums within the Ile de France are free. If you fall into this category, it is not necessary for you to purchase a Museum Pass. Please also note that no refund is given in case of the loss or theft of your pass.

What we like: Visits to more than 60 museums in Paris and the Paris region, free for those under 26 and 18 years of age

What we like a little less: Non-refundable tickets, transport not included

Information:
Office de Tourisme de Paris :
25 Rue des Pyramides – 75001 Paris
Plus d’informations sur le Paris Museum Pass

Prices:
Without the Paris Museum Pass:
Arc de Triomphe – €12 (full rate)
Musée du Louvre – €18 (full rate)
Tour de Notre Dame – €10 (full rate)
Panthéon – €9 (full rate)
Château de Versailles – from €18 (full rate)

With the Paris Museum Pass:
2 days Pass: €48
4 days Pass: €62
6 days Pass: €74

Access via public transport:

SUBWAYS
Line 1, Saint-Paul le Marais and Hôtel de ville
Line 11, Hôtel de ville

RER
RER A, B and D, Châtelet les Halles

BUS
Bus 76 and 67, Hotel De Ville De Paris 4Ème Arrondissement
Bus 38, Châtelet

The Paris PassLib’

The Paris PassLib’ is, in a way, the top-of-the-range version of the Museum Pass.

Available in 2, 3 or 5-day options, it includes a Museum Pass that gives you access to most museums in Paris and the Paris region, but it also includes unlimited transport (bus, metro and RER), a cruise on the Seine, an Open-Tour day on Hop-On Hop-Off buses, discounts at Galeries Lafayette and a Paris guide.

Depending on the option selected, it is the combination of the Museum Pass and the Paris Visite, or simply the Paris PassLib’ Mini.

The Paris Pass Lib’ Mini only has the Pass Lib’ card (1 hour of boat cruise and 1 day by panoramic bus) and the visit of the Eiffel Tower with access to the 2nd floor for an additional 2€20 and is only valid for one day.

With the Paris Passlib’ card, you will have:

• A 70-minute cruise on the Seine with comments in 25 languages
• 3 Open Tour itineraries for one day
• Access to temporary exhibitions at the city’s 11 museums, except the Catacombs and the city’s archaeological crypt.

With the Paris Visite card, you will have unlimited access to transport (bus, metro, tramway and RER) from Paris for the duration of your stay.

With the Paris Museum Pass, you will have access to permanent exhibitions in 60 museums and monuments in Paris and the Paris region.

When you have placed your order, you will be entitled to a map of Paris and a free user guide.

Gratuity: Most museums in Ile de France are free for young people under 26 years of age from the European Union. If you are in this category, it may not be necessary for you to purchase a PassLib’. Also, don’t forget that some museums and monuments are free on the first Sunday of each month. For more information, visit the site here.  The Paris PassLib’ can be ordered on the website but must be picked up at the Paris Tourist Office.

More information about the Paris PassLib’

What we like: Visits to more than 60 museums in Paris and the Paris region, free for those under 26 and 18 years old, transport included.

What we like a little less: Non-refundable tickets.

Information :
Office de Tourisme de Paris:
25 Rue des Pyramides – 75001 Paris

Prices:
Mini Pass: €40 per adult, €26 per child
2 days Pass: €109 per adult, €35 per child
3 days Pass: €129 per adult, €39 per child
5 days Pass: €155 per adulte, €47 per child

Access via public transport:
 
Metro
Line 1, Saint-Paul le Marais and Hôtel de ville
Line 11, Hôtel de ville

RER
RER A, B and D, Station Châtelet les Halles

BUS
Bus 76 and 67, Hotel De Ville De Paris 4ème Arrondissement
Bus 38 Châtelet

Comparison of Paris PassLib’ and Paris Museum Pass