Which Paris Museum Pass Sites Need a Reservation?
Even with the pass, several top sites require a free timed reservation: the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, the Orangerie, Notre-Dame’s towers, and — from March 2026 — the Musée d’Orsay. Most other sites need no booking. Reserving early is the key to a smooth trip. Here’s the full rundown.
Why reservations exist
Popular sites use free timed entry to manage crowds and safety, so the pass covers your admission but not the slot. You book that slot separately, for free, on each site’s official website — choosing the Paris Museum Pass option. Without it, you can be turned away at a site that requires one, even with a valid pass.
Sites that require a reservation
- The Louvre — always; book at ticket.louvre.fr.
- The Palace of Versailles — for the Palace itself.
- Sainte-Chapelle — a free timed slot.
- The Conciergerie — a free timed slot.
- The Musée de l’Orangerie — a free timed slot.
- Notre-Dame’s Bell Towers — a timed reservation via the CMN.
- The Musée d’Orsay — from March 2026.
Sites that usually need no reservation
Many included sites let you simply turn up and scan your pass — among them the Arc de Triomphe, the Musée Rodin, the Musée Picasso, Les Invalides, the Musée de Cluny and the Trianon estate at Versailles. These give your itinerary flexibility around the fixed times of the reserved sites.
How to book your free slots
- Buy your Paris Museum Pass first.
- Visit each required site’s official website.
- Choose the Paris Museum Pass ticket type, not a paid one.
- Pick a date and time slot.
- Save every confirmation with your pass on your phone.
Book the Louvre first
The Louvre is the hardest slot to get, so book it the moment you have your pass — ideally weeks ahead in peak season. Versailles is next in priority. Securing these two early lets you build the rest of your itinerary, with the no-reservation sites filling the gaps around them.
How reservations shape your itinerary
Because reserved sites lock you to a time, plan each day around them: anchor the day with your Louvre or Versailles slot, then add nearby no-reservation sites before and after. Grouping by neighbourhood keeps travel down and ensures you make each fixed slot comfortably.
Free visitors need reservations too
Remember that under-18s and EU under-26s, though free, still need a (free) reservation at the sites that require timed slots. Add them to your booking so the whole group enters together, and bring proof of age, which may be checked at the door.
Reservations don’t skip security
A reservation and the pass get you past the ticket-buying queue, but everyone still passes through security screening. Arrive a little before your slot, travel light and avoid large bags, so you clear security in time and don’t miss your reserved entry.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass and book your slots
To avoid being turned away, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance, then immediately book the free timed slots for the Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, the Orangerie, Notre-Dame’s towers and the Orsay. Secure your pass and reserve early for a seamless trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which sites need a reservation with the pass?
The Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie, the Orangerie, Notre-Dame’s towers and (from March 2026) the Orsay.
Are reservations free?
Yes — you book a free timed slot on each official site.
What happens without one?
You can be turned away at a site that requires a reservation.
Which sites need no booking?
The Arc de Triomphe, Rodin, Picasso, Les Invalides, Cluny and the Trianon, among others.
Which should I book first?
The Louvre, then Versailles — they’re the hardest to get.
Do free visitors need reservations?
Yes — add under-18s and under-26s to the booking at required sites.