Please sign in to post.

Carte Blanche at D'Orsay and timed entry

We'll be visiting Paris in May. I've read through all of the posts on the forum I could find about entry into the Musee D'Orsay. Given what I've read I think the Carte Blanche will work best for us despite the extra cost. I have one question however...with the Carte Blanche do I still need to reserve a timed entry for the temporary or permanent exhibits?

Posted by
8698 posts

Nope. There is a special line for Carte Blanche and you show your card at the head of that line (there is in my experience always someone there directing people to lines and checking on that one) and then if you are lucky you just walk right in. Same with special exhibits. There will be a long line of people with reservations for the special exhibit and a short line of those with Carte Blanche so the wait will be very short. This is obviously a golden moment as as more people buy these expensive passes, the lines will grow.

We had a similar experience with Friends of the Uffizi card in Florence. Many years ago when they were new you could walk to the head of the line at most Florence museums including Academia. Now it only grands entry to the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti and Boboli gardens and the process of using them is more complex requiring picking up a free ticket. So enjoy it while it is magic.

Posted by
3 posts

A carte Blanche means you need 4 visits ( 2 x 2 ) so cover the cost. I have this card and it doesn’t stop me having to line up.
If you are European you can get it and you need a photo and to do the paperwork in advance not on the day you book your first entry. They post the card to you.

Posted by
10752 posts

No reservations needed. You walk up to the sign that says Priorité and guard will let you through when he or she sees your card. I hope rose marielouise can do that in the future. Second, you don’t need to be European to get the card, but mailing it to you is more complicated. Third, if your card is not in hand, the receipt the Museum produces is enough to let you in. Although I live in France, I hadn’t received the physical card the first two times I went. The receipt gave me entry.

Posted by
6 posts

Thank you all for clarifying how to use the Carte Blanche. I'm even more convinced now that this card will work well for us. We won't be in Paris until May so there should be plenty of time to receive the card through the mail. And the museum is offering a holiday special through January 12 - a Carte Blanche duo for 65 instead of 79 euros!