I had been planning to purchase the museum pass when we arrived. My understanding is that it would allow us to skip the queue at most places, including the Louvre. However, I’ve seen a couple things lately saying we need to purchase it in advance and have it mailed to us so that we can book a time in advance. The one blog said it’s been busier than usual and they won’t allow people with the pass to skip the line unless they have a time booked. If I have to pay for that, I won’t save any money and might as well just book a time directly through the Louvre and not get the pass. We will be there 10/26-30. Can anyone confirm if this is true now?
Posted by
Paris
10205 posts
There must be 10 or 12 threads on the Forum on this very subject right now. Just look on the France page and maybe back a page or two from the front page. Or search by Louvre.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2703 posts
My understanding is that it would allow us to skip the queue at most places,
You have been misled or misunderstood.
Anyone with either a pass or pre-purchased ticket skips the ticket lines. Everyone must go through the security lines which are typically the longer lines.
All Louvre visitors must have a reservation for guaranteed entry. The reservation is automatic when purchasing tickets. Passholders must separately reserve a time which can be done here.
Posted by
Chicago
8556 posts
And once again -- if you have a ticket you almost always use a different security line than those who don't -- so yes having the pass will often save you the long security line. This is true at the Orangerie, Orsay and the Louvre. (not at all true at Versailles or Ste. Chapelle.). The pass adds no value above an ordinary ticket though and since you are limited to one entry it is of less value than it used to be.
Posted by
OP
18 posts
I apologize, I looked through the threads briefly and didn’t see this asked. After I posted I looked further and saw others had discussed this. We were on the fence about the pass anyway. Given the new restrictions, we’ll just buy separate tickets for the things we want to do. Again, I apologize for the redundant question.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14741 posts
In your time frame the Louvre will have an exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's work for the 500th anniversary of his death. I would definitely go ahead and book timed entrance if this is of interest to you. It opens on Oct 24 so will likely be very busy when you are there. You can visit the rest of the museum after you view the special exhibition. You can book online and then print your tickets at home. At the current time the entrance for this special exhibit is at the Pyramide entrance.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/expositions/leonardo-da-vinci
BTW, as much as I enjoy this forum and respect the webmaster I think the SEARCH function is pretty poor. Don't worry about asking a question. This particular one has been hot because there have been so many changes lately and the way in which they were presented by the Louvre caught us all by surprise.
Posted by
San Francisco
115 posts
I was in Paris 2 weeks back. we bought Paris Museum Pass and am glad we did. we used the pass extensively. it did allow us to skip ticket buying lines and security lines everyone has to go thru.
For Louvre, we reserved the time slot online on the first day after we bought the pass. almost all time slots were available. we were able to walk right in the museum after we showed the pass and reserved time slot.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14741 posts
"For Louvre, we reserved the time slot online on the first day after we bought the pass. almost all time slots were available. we were able to walk right in the museum after we showed the pass and reserved time slot."
BG, that is excellent to know! Thanks!
Posted by
129 posts
Edited to add: The following assumes you do plan on buying a PMP, but do not plan on buying it (and having it shipped to you) ahead to be used to book a Louvre date. Also corrected Louvre ticket price from €15 to €17.
To state the obvious, if you order at least two PMPs, that is to say that at least two people are going on the trip, and have them delivered to your home, shipping will cost €24 total (as best I can tell they ship multiple passes for no additional charge). Two admissions to the Louvre will cost €34, so with just two people, you'll save €10 by buying the pass in advance and having it shipped to your home. Three passes and the savings go to €27, four saves €44...
Not as good as being able to buy the pass without shipping, but [Edit: assuming you would by the PMP on arrival in Paris] it's still a savings for all but a solo traveler AND you can pre-book your visit well in advance and be assured of access to the Louvre, which might not be true if you wait to book once you've arrived in Paris and purchased your PMP there.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14741 posts
After reading BG's comment I just went to the Louvre website as I'll be there next week. I'd been dithering about a Louvre visit. I've got the Leonardo exhibition booked for the end of the month but was thinking about next week as well. I looked on my days that I had planned on having a Museum Pass and they are basically wide open as far as time slots for Museum Pass holders.
I'll wait until I get the MP later this week and see what the status is. I'll come back with an update and hope I remain as lucky as BG was.
Posted by
Panguitch, Utah
2703 posts
Willy - I am not able to follow your PMP purchasing logic. It costs 24€ to ship PMPs to the USA. The cost of each pass is at least 48€ for the 2-day version. Even if two passes can be shipped for 24€, the minimum cost for two people using passes is 120€ (48€ + 48€ + 24€).
Tickets to le Louvre are 17€ and tickets can be printed on line. Two admissions are 34€. How is it possible to save 6€ by purchasing two PMPs and having them shipped to your home?