Museum Pass changes - does/would that change your approach?

My approach with the Paris Museum Pass has always been to determine what I really wanted to see, add up the admission cost total and compare to the price of the pass. Even if the pass was a few euro more than the total cost, I would purchase it so that I could skip lines as well as perhaps, on a whim, pop into lesser museums I might not of had I not had a "free" pass. (also good for popping in to use a bathroom)

I personally have never used the pass to revisit places in the same trip. But I could certainly see that being useful. Sad that they changed that.

Now, with the compulsory timed reservation ticket for the Louvre, you would have to buy the pass online, pay ridiculous shipping just so that you could have the serial number to use to reserve the Louvre ticket (without paying for a ticket). I am guessing that buying the pass when you arrive in Paris and going online to book that Louvre entry will not do you much good (likely sold out).

I am going to Paris again in October and after adding up what we really wanted to see, my friend and I decided against the pass as it did not make financial sense. We have purchased a couple tickets ahead online (the Arc de Triomphe and St. Chapelle) in order to avoid the line. We will be purchasing our D'Orsay ticket a couple days before departure as it also offers a discount on the Opera Garnier entry if your D'Orsay ticket is within 8 days of that visit. Most tickets bought online are good for a year and you do not have to choose a time slot or day.

BJL's analysis above is a good one -- that is, mine would be the same. ;-) For me, the one-visit-per-museum policy would be a serious reason not to buy the pass. The Louvre situation seems to be evolving, based on reading various recent threads here. It doesn't look like they've handled it very well as far as the pass is concerned.

If I were you I'd pre-purchase my timed Louvre ticket without consideration of the pass, then buy the pass after arriving in Paris IF my plans included enough other museums to make it worthwhile (and considering time saving at big sites like Orsay or Versailles). Basically, the Louvre's timed-entry policy has diminished the value of the pass. Maybe there will be high-level discussions next winter between those in charge of these two iconic Paris institutions!

Just a heads up, a quick look and it seems as long as you intend to be in Paris for at least a few days it is quite likely you can get your Louvre reservation after getting the Pass a day or two out.

Of course if you have your heart set on getting in.... maybe you're best to purchase ahead of time. For me, this is good enough.

The lack of convenient Louvre Access and the one visit per museum rule make the pass worthless to me.

The Pass is still wonderful- plans change and you have immediate access to “drop in” to an unplanned attraction/museum as the day goes by.

No one has reported (that I have seen) that every Museum has ungraded their software as to the 1 admission limitation. THAT will be a Museum by Museum decision.

Best bet for a week in Paris: 1 prepurchased advance ticket for the Louvre to insure NO issues then 3 - 2 Day Museum Passes. Even worst case you get 3 admissions to each site. Pick up a part time job at Walmart, work 4 -6 hours, quit, and you have earned the money to cover the extra costs.

Nothing amazes me more then people who spend thousands of dollars on air fare, hotels, food, cabs, but then lose it over paying an extra $50 to get into the historic sites, museums, art galleries (often the purpose of the trip) they want, when they want, as they want.

Travel safe,

One Fast Bob

Thank you all for your responses. It never occurred to me to purchase a few of 2 day passes (duh). I am interested in the convenience of skipping long lines and not the cost. The convenience far out ways what I end up paying for passes. It's been 26 years since my last visit so most everything will seem like a new experience :-)

I am interested in the convenience of skipping long lines

Generally, the long lines are for security and no one skips them. You do not need a museum pass to skip the ticket lines, anyone who purchases tickets in advance can skip the ticket lines and use the same entrances as do pass holders.

Generally, the long lines are for security and no one skips them. <

Granted, nobody skips the security line, however, the lines can be different.

For instance, at the D'Orsay, there are two different lines - one for ticket (or pass) holders and one for those needing to purchase tickets. The line for ticket/pass holders is usually much shorter than the line for purchasing tickets. Security is cleared AFTER one purchases or enters with a ticket.

However, for St. Chapelle, everyone waits in the same line to enter through security because St. Chapelle is located inside the police préfecture. Once security is cleared, there are then two lines - one for those needing to purchases a ticket and one (shorter) for those who already have a ticket/pass.