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Visiting the Louvre on Bastille Day

My wife and I will be visiting Paris July 13 - 15 (Sunday through Tuesday). I was planning on getting a 2 day museum pass and start using it Monday, the 14th - Bastille Day. But I've since learned that the Louvre will be free on Bastille Day. Does the Museum Pass give you any particular advantage with the Louvre on a day when it's open for free? I would guess not since it's, of course, free with no lines for tickets that the pass would help you avoid. Is that right? And, if so, would you recommend going to the Louvre on Sunday rather than Monday? Is it any less likely to be crazy crowded the day before Bastille Day because it's not free? My initial reasoning about going Monday rather than Sunday is that we'll be arriving at 7 a.m. in Paris Sunday morning and I thought it might be best to be outside walking as much of Sunday as possible to combat jet lag (assuming it's a nice day). And it just seemed convenient to start a two day museum pass for the remaining two days when we're, hopefully, a bit less jet lagged.

Your advice is much appreciated!

Posted by
8550 posts

The pass is of no value on days the museum is free. you will line up with everyone else. We did this about 10 years ago on Fete Nationale (what the French call what the Americans call 'Bastille Day') There were not big crowds. This may not be so this year but it was an easy entrance our year.

Posted by
16895 posts

I think you're well advised by Janet. Bon voyage!

Posted by
15 posts

Thanks for the replies! And that's good to hear. Sounds like we ought to stick with our original plan.