I will be purchasing a Paris museum pass for myself but was wondering if it is necessary for my 17 year old granddaughter. I know she can get into museums free, but does that include all of the ones that the museum pass covers and Versailles? Also, will she be able to skip lines and enter with me or does she have to stand in the long lines to verify her age?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
She will be admitted to most museums ( Orsay, Rodin, Cluny, Louvre, etc etc.. ) for free.. with or without you. She will need to show proof of age in most places since she is so close to cut off age.
She will walk in with you in most places, the only places that I had to get a separate ( but still free) ticket for my son was at the Invalids Army Museum( but the line for tickets there was like 10 people long!) .. at busiest places like Orsay and Louvre she will walk in with you to "passholders line" . You will all still have to go through security lines however and there is no pass that allows you to skip that !
I also think at the Arc de Triomphe she will need a ticket, but to be honest I simply do not remember that one well enough to be sure.
She will walk in with you at Versailles. There are two lines at Versailles.. one for tickets.. then after, you have to get in line for security.
You can obviously skip the ticket line ( and your daughter goes with you) however.. the line for security can be VERY long also.. so do plan on arriving 1/2 hour before it opens. Last year we slept in and didn't arrive till 10.30 and waited more then 45 minutes in security line( in hot sun in stone courtyard,, blah) .. so try and arrive before 9 am. . Do make sure you get out to Marie Antionettes Hamlet while there ( covered by pass) and walk behind the Grand Trianon into the flower garden for amazing view up the canal of the Palace!
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
Yes, the Army Museum and Arc de Triumph are the same two exceptions mentioned in Rick's guidebooks.