Is the Paris Museum Pass Worth It for Families with Children Under 18?

For families, the key fact is that children under 18 enter France’s national museums free and don’t need a pass at all — so you usually only buy passes for the adults. If the grown-ups plan to see three or more major sites over consecutive days, the pass is worth it for them; the kids come along free. Here’s how it works for families.

Children under 18 go free

At the national museums and monuments the pass covers — the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle and more — under-18s are admitted free of charge, regardless of nationality. That means there’s no point buying a pass for your children; you simply bring them along on the adults’ visits at no cost.

EU residents under 26 also free

The free admission extends further: residents of the EU aged under 26 also enter the national museums free. So if you have older teenagers or young adults in the family who are EU residents under 26, they won’t need a pass either — a useful saving for families with university-age children.

So the pass is for the adults

Because the children are free, the family decision is really just about the adults. For two parents planning to visit three or more paid attractions over consecutive days, buying two adult passes is typically worth it, paying for itself after about three big sites each — while the kids tag along free.

Family-friendly sites the pass covers

• The Louvre — kids love hunting for the Mona Lisa and the Egyptian galleries.
• Versailles — palace grandeur plus gardens to run around in.
• The Arc de Triomphe — climbing to the rooftop view.
• Les Invalides / Army Museum — armour, weapons and Napoleon’s Tomb.
• The Panthéon — the dramatic dome and Foucault’s pendulum.

Reservations still include the children

Even though children are free, the sites that require timed reservations — the Louvre, Versailles and others — still need a (free) reservation for each child as part of your booking. So when you reserve your adult slots, add the children too, and carry proof of age, as it may be checked at entry.

What’s not included for families

Remember the pass doesn’t cover some attractions children adore — the Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs and Seine river cruises among them — nor public transport. Budget those separately. The Centre Pompidou, with its kid-friendly modern art, is also closed for renovation until around 2030.

The time-saving matters with kids

For families, skipping the ticket-buying queue at each site is arguably as valuable as the money saved — less time waiting means happier children and more energy for the galleries. Combined with early reservation slots, the pass helps you move quickly through the busy entrances that try young patience the most.

Tips for families using the pass

• Buy passes for adults only — under-18s are free.
• Add free child reservations at the sites that require timed slots.
• Carry proof of age for the children.
• Plan shorter visits to several sites rather than one marathon.
• Budget separately for the Eiffel Tower, cruises and transport.

A sample family day with the pass

1. Morning: the Louvre on a pre-booked slot — head for the Mona Lisa and the Egyptian galleries the kids love.
2. Midday: a picnic or lunch in the Tuileries Garden next door.
3. Afternoon: the Arc de Triomphe, climbing to the rooftop view.
4. Late afternoon: a quieter site like the Orangerie with Monet’s Water Lilies.
5. Throughout: adults on passes, under-18s free, with free child reservations where required.

Buy your Paris Museum Pass

For a family trip, buy adult Paris Museum Passes online in advance — your under-18s come free — then book the free timed slots (including for the children) at the Louvre, Versailles and other required sites. Secure your passes and enjoy Paris’s museums together, the easy way.

Frequently asked questions

Do children need a Paris Museum Pass?

No — under-18s enter national museums free and don’t need a pass.

Are EU under-26s free too?

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

So who buys the pass?

Usually just the adults, if they’re visiting three or more paid sites.

Do free children still need reservations?

Yes — at sites requiring timed slots, add a free reservation for each child.

What family attractions aren’t included?

The Eiffel Tower, the Catacombs, Seine cruises and transport, among others.

Is the time-saving worth it with kids?

Yes — skipping ticket queues means less waiting and happier children.