New Travel Passes Make Paris a Snap

A new bus pass can make exploring Paris easier.

“Le Paris Bus” pass offers a sightseeing coach, equipped with English-language commentary, that makes a continuous loop of major attractions in central Paris. Travelers can get on and off the bus as often as desired within two consecutive days. Stops include the Palais de Chaillot, Arc de Tri- omphe, Cathedral of Notre Dame, Louvre, Grand Palais, Opera, Musee d’Orsay and Eiffel Tower. The bus runs 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.

The pass can be purchased for $22 in the United States from Marketing Challenges International (10 East 21st St., New York, tel. 212-529-8484 or fax 212-460-8287), or in Paris at major bus stations.

Marketing Challenges also sells two other passes that can be purchased in the United States or Paris.

“Le Paris Visite” pass is good for one, two, three or five consecutive days of unlimited travel on bus routes within city limits or on the Metro subway system. The one-day pass costs $9, two days $16, three days $22 and five days $33. In Paris, the pass is sold at Metro stations.

“La Carte” pass, valid for one, three or five days, covers admission to 65 Paris-area museums and monuments. Prices are $17 for a one-day pass, $29 for three days and $39 for five days.

In addition, Marketing Challenges’ “Le Menu Brasserie” offers vouchers for dining at some of Paris’ most famous and expensive brasseries. Priced at a fixed $72 apiece, each voucher is good for one three-course lunch or dinner, including aperitif, wine, coffee, tax and service charge. The vouchers do not represent a significant savings on meals but they do offer convenience.

With any pass bought in the United States, Marketing Challenges provides a discount card good for 10% off purchases at the Printemps department store in Paris, plus a free invitation to the store’s weekly fashion shows.

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The new Riviera Museum Pass provides entry to a number of museums in the Montreux region of Switzerland. The pass, good for two months, costs about $10. It can be used for entry to Chillon Castle, the Montreux Old Town Museum, the Swiss Games Museum, the Historical Museum of the Old Town of Vevey, the Swiss Camera Museum and the Jensch Museum of Fine Arts. The pass can be purchased at participating museums and regional tourist offices.