Is the Paris Museum Pass Free for Children Under 18?

Children under 18 don’t need a Paris Museum Pass at all — they enter France’s national museums free. EU residents under 26 are free too. So you only buy passes for the paying adults (26+, or non-EU travellers). Free children still need a reservation at sites that require timed slots. Here’s exactly how it works for families.

Under-18s go free — no pass needed

At the national museums and monuments the pass covers — the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle and more — under-18s of any nationality are admitted free of charge. So there’s no such thing as a “child Paris Museum Pass,” and no reason to buy one; your children simply come along on the adults’ visits at no cost.

EU residents under 26 are free too

The free admission extends to residents of the EU aged under 26, which covers most older teenagers and university-age young adults living in Europe. If you have under-26 EU-resident family members, they won’t need a pass either — they enter the national museums free with proof of age and residency.

So who actually buys a pass?

Only the paying adults: those aged 26 and over, and non-EU visitors who don’t qualify for the under-26 rule. There’s no senior discount, so all paying adults — parents and grandparents alike — pay the same fixed price. For a typical family, that means buying passes just for the grown-ups.

Free children still need reservations

Even though they’re free, children and under-26s still need a (free) timed reservation at the sites that require them — the Louvre, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, the Orangerie and (from March 2026) the Orsay. When you book the adults’ slots, add the children to the same booking so the family enters together.

Bring proof of age

Free entry isn’t automatic at the door — staff may ask for proof. Carry a passport or ID for under-18s, and proof of age and EU residency for under-26s. Without it, a free visitor could be charged, so have documents ready for each free member of your group.

Family value: buy for adults only

This setup makes the pass excellent value for families. For two adults and two children visiting three or more major sites over consecutive days, you buy just two adult passes, each paying for itself, while the children come free. The youngest see everything the grown-ups do, at no extra cost.

Family-friendly sites the pass covers

• The Louvre — mummies, the Mona Lisa and grand halls.
• Versailles — palace grandeur and gardens to run in.
• The Army Museum — armour, cannons and Napoleon’s Tomb.
• The Arc de Triomphe — climbing to the rooftop view.
• The Panthéon — the dramatic dome and Foucault’s pendulum.

Is the pass still worth it for families?

Yes — because only the adults pay, a family’s cost is low while everyone enjoys the same sites. If the adults will visit three or more major attractions, the pass pays for itself and saves the ticket queues, with the children’s free entry making the overall trip even better value.

A note for larger families

For bigger families, the free entry for under-18s and EU under-26s makes a real difference: a family of two adults and three or four children pays only for the two adults, while everyone sees the same sites. That keeps a culture-packed trip affordable — and because the children are free, you can be relaxed about leaving a museum early if the little ones tire, without feeling you’ve wasted a ticket.

Buy your family Paris Museum Pass

For a family trip, buy Paris Museum Passes for the adults online in advance — under-18s and EU under-26s come free — then book free timed slots for everyone, including the children. Secure your passes and enjoy Paris’s museums together.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Paris Museum Pass free for children under 18?

Children don’t need a pass — under-18s enter national museums free.

Are under-26s free too?

Yes — EU residents under 26 enter the national museums free.

Who needs to buy a pass?

Only paying adults — 26+ or non-EU travellers.

Do free children need reservations?

Yes — add them to the booking at sites that require timed slots.

What proof should I bring?

ID for under-18s, and proof of age and EU residency for under-26s.

Is the pass good value for families?

Yes — only the adults pay, while the children come free.