Paris 2 day Museum Pass: best place to buy?

I bought mine at the Notre Dame and there was no one in line. It could be that it was early Sunday morning in May, or that I just lucked out.

You could buy it at Gare du Nord, but in the vicinity of Notre Dame, you can also buy the pass at the nearby Paris Archaeological Crypt. I doubt you'll find the line here more than a few people in length.

Notre Dame itself does not require an admission fee (although there is often a long entrance queue), except for climbing the bell tower. The Museum Pass also covers the tower, but its one of the few sites where you must wait in the same line with everyone else.

See this page for the location of the sales point at Gare du Nord.

See this page for the location of la Civette du Carrousel (tobacconist) at the Carrousel du Louvre.

Unless you're planning to visit the crypt and go up the towers at Notre Dame, a pass isn't worth the trouble or expense.....Notre Dame itself is free. Then all you'll need is tickets for the Louvre. For Louvre tickets (or, indeed, a Paris Museum Pass), go to the tobacconist that Tim mentions, La Civette du Carrousel. The Carrosel is the shopping mall underground at the Louvre, accessible from the Metro or street level entrances. Follow the signs to the Louvre, and ust before you get to the musuem's big underground foyer, look to the right and you'll see the tobacco shop. Never any lines there. Then you can head back above ground and walk along the Seine to ND.

Echoing others, the bell tower IS included on the pass (the cathedral itself is not on the pass because there is no admission charge), but you can not skip the entrance queue. The biggest advantage to the Museum Pass is that in most instances, it allows you to bypass the main ticket line, which is often the rate-limiting step of entering the various museums. I would not recommend buying the pass at the Rodin Museum, because you have to stand in the main ticket line, and although not as long as the Louvre, it isn't exactly short either.

Another good option is the Orsay Museum, because the pass is sold from a separate entrance from the main ticket line.

Thanks so much for you advice. I think I'll try the Station first, otherwise I'll get it the crypt since it is part of the Historic Walk and yes I will attempt to climb the 400 steps. Should be worthwile.
thanks

The Notre Dame Tower is not included on the museum pass. My husband climbed it in May and said it was worth it--long line though.

I'm confused. RS guide says NotreDame tower it is included in museum pass. RS Paris 2008 page 39

Towers are included. See http://tinyurl.com/645ky2 for a list of all the locations.

I bought my last two museum passes at the Invalides museum entrance behind Napoleon's Tomb. If you are in the rue Cler area that's a handy place. I think the Rodin museum would be a good place, also.

A year ago, the price of climbing the tower was included, but the pass did not allow you to skip the line (like it does at most covered places). We found the line long and very slow moving the second week of August 2007.

There's a special room at the Louvre. You cannot get the pass from the kiosk or the information desk.

When you go downstairs, ask for directions to the Starbucks (yes, there's on inside). The Museum Pass ticketroom is across from Starbucks.

We bought ours last month at la Civette du Carrousel (tobacconist) at the Carrousel du Louvre and there was a minimal line and only about a 5 minute wait. We got there early just before the museum opened and had no problems. The line was a lot longer later in the day though when we walked by on our way out.

On two separate trips, I have bought mine in the crypt in front of Notre Dame. No line, easy transaction. Plus, I find the crypt to be a really interesting quick visit.

Thank you all for your input. I'll make note and keep in mind all these places.