What Are the Best Paris Museum Pass Sites Near the Eiffel Tower?
Around the Trocadéro, facing the Eiffel Tower, the pass covers a superb cluster — the Musée Guimet (Asian art), the Cité de l’Architecture and the Musée National de la Marine — plus the free Musée d’Art Moderne nearby. The Eiffel Tower itself isn’t included. Here’s how to plan a pass day in this iconic corner of Paris.
The Trocadéro cluster
The Palais de Chaillot at the Trocadéro, directly across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, houses two pass-included museums — the Cité de l’Architecture and the Musée National de la Marine — with the Musée Guimet a short walk away. Together they make a rich, view-blessed day on the pass.
Musée Guimet — Asian art
The Guimet holds Europe’s finest collection of Asian art, spanning five millennia, and needs no reservation — just scan your pass. Usually peaceful, it’s a serene, eye-opening start to a day in the area, and a highlight of the pass for many visitors.
Cité de l’Architecture — buildings and views
In the Palais de Chaillot, the Cité de l’Architecture displays full-scale casts of French cathedral portals and modern-architecture galleries, with some of the best Eiffel Tower views in Paris from its setting. It’s a wonderful, under-visited use of the pass.
Musée de la Marine — maritime story
Also in the Palais de Chaillot, the freshly renovated Musée National de la Marine tells France’s maritime history through exquisite ship models and immersive displays — engaging for families and history lovers alike, and covered by your pass.
A free modern-art bonus
Just nearby, the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris has a free permanent collection — a great no-cost addition to your pass day. (Its neighbour, the Palais de Tokyo, shows contemporary art on a separate ticket.) So you can mix pass sites with a free gem in one area.
The Eiffel Tower isn’t included
Note that the Eiffel Tower itself isn’t on the pass — it’s a separate, commercial attraction. But the free Trocadéro terrace gives the classic head-on view and photo, and the Arc de Triomphe (on the pass) offers a rooftop panorama with the tower in it, so you needn’t pay for a tower climb to enjoy it.
A Trocadéro pass day
- Start at the Guimet — Asian art, no reservation.
- Cross to the Cité de l’Architecture — and the Eiffel views.
- Visit the Musée de la Marine in the same building.
- Add the free Musée d’Art Moderne nearby.
- Snap the Eiffel Tower from the free Trocadéro terrace.
When to go
Several of these museums close on Tuesdays, so check hours and aim for a clear day to enjoy the Eiffel Tower views. Mornings are quietest at the Guimet. Cluster the three pass museums and the free one for an efficient, view-filled day in the 16th arrondissement.
Time it for the Eiffel Tower views
The Trocadéro is all about the Eiffel Tower vista, so plan with the light in mind: clear mornings give crisp photos, while dusk brings the tower’s hourly sparkle. Slot the indoor pass museums — the Guimet, Architecture and Marine — around a couple of trips out to the free terrace, and you get world-class collections and the city’s most famous view in a single, well-timed day.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for the Trocadéro
To explore the museums around the Eiffel Tower without extra tickets, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance and book free slots where needed. Secure your pass and enjoy Asian art, architecture and maritime history with the tower as your backdrop.
Frequently asked questions
Which pass sites are near the Eiffel Tower?
The Guimet, the Cité de l’Architecture and the Musée de la Marine, around the Trocadéro.
Is the Eiffel Tower on the pass?
No — it’s a separate, commercial attraction.
Where are the best tower views?
The free Trocadéro terrace, and the pass-included Arc de Triomphe.
Is there a free museum nearby?
Yes — the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris’s permanent collection.
Does the Guimet need a reservation?
No — just scan your pass.
When are these museums closed?
Several close on Tuesdays — check current hours.