Buying Paris Attraction Tickets in Advance

To my mind, there's no reason to pre-buy the Paris Museum Pass -- just stop in at a less-crowded museum and buy it when you're ready. I have used Cluny (medieval) and des Invalides (military museum and Napoleon's tomb) as places with no lines.
Make sure, however, that you will visit enough museums in the time you have to make the pass cost effective. Will your kids have the attention span needed ?

It's really easy to buy the Paris Museum Pass once you arrive. There's lots of places to buy it - even it the airport. Last time I arrived, I exited the immigration line into the airport and there was a kiosk right in front of me selling them and so I just stopped there. No need to order in advance - my first time ordering I was nervous about getting them while in Paris and I did indeed order them and have them shipped to the US. I don't anymore - it's that easy to get them when you arrive. Notre Dame does often have long lines - I find we can avoid them by going at the end of the afternoon.

After picking up your luggage and leaving the secured area to the unsecured area you will see Visitor Booths that sell the Museum Passes as well. Remember not to Date them until you actually use them. Don't want to waste a day if you Date them on your arrival day, but don't actually use it until the next day.
Enjoy your trip.

On our first trip to Paris, I could not get the Eiffel Tower tickets either. I decided to get the "Behind the Scenes Eiffel Tower Tour". I was very happy I did. We were able to go underground to the bunker underneath the Champ de Mars. Then to the Engine Room to see the hydraulic controls in action that run the lifts up the Tower. Last but not least a "skip" the line for the elevator (lift) to the second level. There you could purchase a ticket to go up to the 3rd level if you wanted to. I bought tickets to the Louvre before we left and just brought the print outs and walked right in, using the entry to left of the actual ticket line. The line for Notre Dame was not bad. It moves fast, especially if you do not have bags that security has to look through. We did not get to climb the Notre Dame Tower - that line was long.

Another tip in the Eiffel Tower is to buy tickets to a lower level and then buy tickets for the top when up there. The line for this is long but moves quickly.

We also ate at 58 tour eiffel to get tickets to bypass the line. Again, tix were to 2nd floor and then after your dinner, you can buy tickets for the top.

Also with the museum pass, make sure that even if dollar for dollar your museum visits don't add up to the pass cost, the value of bypassing lines can be worth some of the cost. Late May will start to see some longer lines and so this can be a value. Note that there are a few places where the pass will not allow you to skip the line. And also note that the Louvre has multiple entrances so even the museum pass line can be long if entering from the pyramid.

Notre Dame line for the cathedral is usually long but moves quickly...but if you want to climb the towers (which the pass gets you) you should get there early as this line can be long due to the fact that they only allow a certain amount of people at a time.

Wait. You can buy the PMP at the airport, most museums which accept them (their selection will vary) and FNAC - music/book/electronics store. If you see a sign selling them and no line up, get them. It looks like a mini, folding map/brochure of all covered museums with a back cover where you write your name and first date of use. Folds to size of thick credit card or tiny wallet. Better to have before you go to an attraction as they sometimes run out of the different durations. Happened to me once. Didn't just buy what was available. Wasted time king somewhere else.

Eiffel Tower - take the stairs. There is virtually no line - ever. It's around 700 steps to level 2. You can buy tickets to the top when you buy you stair tickets, or at a booth or machine on level 2. The one time I got talked into booking a time slot, the lift to the top was under repair. Luckily, we had already been twice on the same trip. My daughter was 4 1/2 and friend was 6.

Arc de Triomphe - sometimes there are lines. I only recall 2 or 3 wickets. Oh, I believe you have to line up anyway to get a free ticket for the kids. Since you are lining up anyway, get your tickets there if not already in hand.

I don't recall where you would buy it at Notre Dame if not at the tower ticket office. The line up to get there is at least an hour. As someone said above, the line to see the main cathedral is long but it moves fast.

Louvre - you can't buy ticket without going through security. The line for pass holders is often shorter. Once it was insanely long but it was unexpectedly pouring with rain and everyone in the vicinity with a pass decided to go to the Louvre! Usually, shortest lines are underground mall entrance and Porte des Lions. Longest lines at pyramid - sometimes it's just an exit.

L'Orangerie - often long lines. I've never had to wait long with a pass - except again when it's raining.

D'Orsay - sometimes the line for pass holders (entrance C) is longer than those without.

While the PMP is invaluable for skipping lines and popping in to various museums, when it's raining, it seems like everyone decides to duck into a museum. Resist the urge. The only way to avoid the crowds is to do the opposite!

FNAC on Champs-Elysees did not have PMP. I would not rely on getting one there.

Thank you everyone. Wish me luck!

If you want to see the Vermeer exhibit which closes May 20 you really need to get tickets on line for a time slot. I don't think the PMP gives you access to this exhibit. Even with a timed ticket, the wait was over an hour to get in for us on Wednesday. Maybe not something the kids want to do, but if one of the adults does, get a timed ticket ahead.

For the Orsay we have never waited more than 10 minutes in the pre-ticketed/pass line C. We just buy tickets at the newsstand out front and the last few times have just walked in.

FWIW on Wednesday there was no line to get in at all at the Carrousel entrance. We just walked through the security process without waiting at all and if we had not had our tickets, there were no lines in the ticket room either. Last fall the security line at the Carrousel was maybe 5 minutes or so and we had no lines for tickets once inside.

And don't forget that when you date your museum pass to write it in as day, month, year!

Check Viator. They may still have Eiffel Tower tickets, although you will pay more, but tickets come with expedited entry and a guide. Also, some museums are closed on certain days. Be sure to check this.