Paris, the city of lights, is also the city of art and history. With over 130 museums, choosing which ones to visit can be overwhelming. That’s where the Paris Museum Pass comes in—a prepaid card offering access to over 50 museums and monuments. But is it worth it? After a week of testing the pass across the French capital, the answer is a resounding yes, especially if you plan your itinerary strategically.

The pass comes in three durations: 2-day (€52), 4-day (€66), and 6-day (€78). At first glance, the price might seem steep, but when you consider that entry to the Louvre alone costs €17, the math quickly adds up in your favor. The key is targeting high-ticket attractions and grouping visits by location to maximize both time and savings. Over four days, I managed to visit €166 worth of sites while spending only €66—a net saving of €100.

The Louvre and Île de la Cité Circuit

Day one began at the Louvre, where pass holders skip the ticket line (though not the security queue—arrive early). After four hours with Mona Lisa and Venus, I walked 15 minutes to Sainte-Chapelle, whose stained glass is arguably Paris’ most breathtaking interior. The €11.50 entry here alone covers a sixth of the pass cost. A short bridge-crossing led to the Conciergerie, Marie Antoinette’s prison, adding another €11.50 value. By noon, I’d already "earned back" my pass with €40 worth of visits.

Les Invalides and Left Bank

The second morning focused on the 7th arrondissement. Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides (€14) took two hours to properly appreciate, followed by the adjacent Army Museum. Then came the Rodin Museum (€13), where The Thinker sits among rose gardens. This cluster delivered €27 in value before lunch. An afternoon stroll through Musée d’Orsay (€16) brought the day’s total to €43—more than half the pass’ cost recovered in a single day.

Palace of Versailles Day Trip

On day three, the pass truly shone. The RER train ride to Versailles costs extra, but the palace entry (€21.50) and Trianon estates (€12) are included. Between the Hall of Mirrors and Marie Antoinette’s Hamlet, this day accounted for €33.50 of the pass’ value. Pro tip: The pass grants timed entry but arrive by 9am to avoid three-hour summer queues.

Modern Art and Hidden Gems

The final day mixed iconic and lesser-known sites. Centre Pompidou (€15) offered modern masterpieces, while the nearby Gothic mansion Musée de Cluny (€12) fascinated with medieval tapestries. The Arc de Triomphe (€13) at sunset provided panoramic views. These brought another €40 in value, pushing total savings well over €100.

Beyond math, the pass changes how you experience museums. You’ll pop into smaller venues like the Picasso Museum (€14) for just 30 minutes without guilt. It removes the "is this worth the ticket?" dilemma, encouraging serendipitous discoveries. The only caveat? The pass is date-strict—once activated, the clock ticks even on days you don’t use it.

For culture-hungry travelers visiting three or more major museums, the Paris Museum Pass isn’t just convenient—it’s a financial no-brainer. Pair it with good walking shoes and a metro card, and you’ve got the keys to Paris’ artistic treasures.