Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through one of these links, I receive a commission from the sale at no additional cost to you.
When I was researching my trip to Paris I knew I would need some sort of pass to keep my trip under budget. I ultimately ended up choosing to purchase the Paris Pass from Go City, and chose the 4-Day All-Inclusive Pass for €169, which included a 4-Day Paris Museum Pass.
…Then I redeemed a whopping €446.50!
My first stop on Day 1 was an Eiffel Tower guided climb, valued at €34. The check-in process was fast and easy – all I had to do was give them my name and let them scan my Paris Pass. It paid to get there early, as they split us into groups and we departed as the groups filled up. We got to skip the entry line (as does everyone with a ticket) and go straight to security. After that, we waited in the ticket line for about an hour – I was very grateful to have a guide to entertain us during that time! I also purchased the summit upgrade, though the summit was unfortunately closed that day. Luckily, it was easy to email the company and get a refund.
Next I got on the hop-on-hop-off bus, valued at €42. I actually really enjoyed the bus tour. The recorded commentary was interesting and (mostly) played at the right time. I recommend a bus tour if you have trouble walking and/or have limited time.
My next stop was the Arc de Triomphe, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €13. The downside to using the Paris Museum Pass was that there is no timed entry option… and thus I had to wait in line for about an hour to go up. I seem to have gotten there at a bad time though, since when I came down the line was very short.
From there I took the hop-on-hop-off bus to Trocadero (finishing the loop) and the City of Architecture and Heritage Museum, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €8. It was a lovely, quiet museum. I spent about an hour there before heading out, since the labels were largely only in French.
My last stop of the day was the Musée National d’Art Moderne at the Centre Pompidou, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €14. It’s a fascinating building architecturally, though a bit confusing to navigate. While I don’t really appreciate modern art, I did enjoy the building itself.
Day 1: 5 Activities – €111
I started the day off right with breakfast from Café Louise, valued at €18. It included orange juice, a cup of fruit, a hot drink, and a pastry. I chose cocoa and a croissant. The croissant was the best one I’ve had! It was so good. The ambience here is good too. Using the Paris Pass was easy too, the waitress simply scanned it and brought that specific menu to choose from.
Les Invalides was my next stop, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €14. I was behind schedule, and thus only had time to visit the tomb of Napoleon I. The complex is massive, and I would have loved to spend more time there.
Right across the street is the Rodin Museum, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €13. The main attraction for me was visiting The Thinker, since we have one at the Cleveland Museum of Art as well.
After that I headed back to Café Louise for apero, valued at €18. The Paris Pass menu included a drink and some appetizers. I chose a fruity virgin drink, and was served a small savory muffin, fried cheese-potato (that one was my favorite) and a seafood concoction.
Then I went to the Pantheon, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €9. It was pretty cool to see the tombs of such important people as Marie Curie and Victor Hugo.
I ended the day at Montparnasse Tower, valued at €18. I arrived shortly before sunset, and was excited to see the Eiffel Tower light up for the first time. Level 56 (where the elevator lets off) has a café and a viewing area. To get to the roof, you need to walk up the stairs to Level 59. I watched the tower light up from the top floor, then headed down. Beware: once the light show ends the line to get back down the elevator gets very long! I would recommend arriving longer after dusk for a better view of the tower, if that is your priority.
Day 2: 6 Activities – €90
My day began with a visit to L’Orangerie, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €9. This museum was so peaceful (at least it was when I arrived shortly after opening at 9 AM), and was truly a wonderful experience. The top floor is devoted to Monet’s Waterlilies, and the lower to other works and artists.
After that relaxing start I attended a perfume making workshop at the Fragonard Museum, valued at €29. I never thought I would be interested in perfume, but it was actually really fun to mix my own eau de toilette (and learn what that means!). There was also a tour after the workshop, where I learned all about the history of perfume, and what it takes to be a perfumer.
Up next was Musée du Chocolat (aka Choco-Story Paris), valued at €12. While it was clearly aimed at kids, I enjoyed the surplus of free chocolate available. The ‘demonstration’ was a recording, but this meant that there were English subtitles.
After that I headed up to Montmartre for the rest of my day, starting off with a ride on Le Petit Train, valued at €7. It has two stops, one in front of Le Moulin Rouge, and the other at the top of the hill in front of Sacré Coeur. The ticket gets you one full round trip, which is approximately 45 minutes long.
Once I got back down the hill, I went on a walking tour of Montmartre, valued at €34. The guide was absolutely fantastic and made the walk very interesting. I even learned that Paris has public water fountains… I just wish I had known this the day before as I was lamenting the lack of nasoni! We began at Le Moulin Rouge and ended at Sacré Coeur, and the tour lasted approximately 2 hours.
After the tour I stopped for the ‘Champagne Gourmand’ at Au Cadet au Gascogne, valued at €18. The Paris Pass menu included a glass of champagne, a little pistachio cake, pineapple, ice cream, and a tiny crème brûlée, which was exciting since I hadn’t had one yet!
I then headed to the Dalí Paris Museum, valued at €13. There was hardly anyone there, which I appreciated. It was a very small museum, but interesting if you are a fan of Dalí’s work.
Day 3: 7 Activities – €122
I began my last day of the pass at the Louvre, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €17. If you go to the Louvre – make sure to get a timed ticket entry! I arrived at 8:15 for an entry at 9 AM, and was the second party in line at the pyramid entrance. About 20 more people entered at the same time I did (when they opened up the queue). As soon as I was in, I headed up to the Denon wing which houses, among many other things, the Mona Lisa. I was walking slowly, stopping along the way, when I heard what sounded like a stampede coming up behind me… People were really eager to see the Mona Lisa without crowds (or at least smaller crowds)! I spent about 4 and a half hours there before leaving earlier than planned since I was so overwhelmed.
All is quiet at 8:15… 
…but by 9 loads of people are ready to get in! 
I was one of the first people into the museum. 
I managed to get this great shot of the Victory of Samothrace! 
Victory of Samothrace 
On the way to the Mona Lisa… 
…it was already crowded, but I managed to get this shot. 
Venus de Milo at 10:30. 
The Code of Hammurabi. 
The Assyrian section at 11. 
What a wonderful place to get to paint! 
Under the pyramid at 12:30.
I walked from the Louvre to Notre Dame to take a walking tour of the area, valued at €34. The guide took us around the exterior of the cathedral and told us about other sites along the way, before dropping us off at the crypt. Unfortunately I had to rush through the crypt, but it was really interesting – they even have Roman subject matter!
Next I headed to Caves du Louvre for a wine tasting, valued at €35. Now, I don’t actually like wine, so I’m sure someone who does would have loved it. Even so, learning about wine production was pretty cool, especially in the wine cellars once used by the residents of the Louvre Palace.
From there I went to the Concierge, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €11.50. This building once held Marie Antoinette before she was executed.
Next door lies Sainte Chapelle, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €10. Sainte Chapelle is the most beautiful building I have had the pleasure to step foot in – do not miss it! It is a marvel of Gothic architecture, and the stained glass windows are breathtaking.
Lastly, I visited the Musée d’Orsay, included on the Paris Museum Pass, valued at €16. I was very tired at that point, and barely wanted to see anything. But, I made sure to see the Van Goghs and the Gaudi exhibition.
Day 4: 6 Activities – €123.50
Wow, I’m tired again just from writing about it! I went out of my way to make the most of my Paris Pass, and I think I succeeded. What activities would you choose?
Grand Total: 24 (!!!) Activities – €446.50
