Get top tips from leisure and sightseeing companions

If you’re a die-hard art enthusiast who simply cannot visit a city without going to see a film, visiting a museum or seeing all the sights, you may quickly find yourself short of time or short of money! Unless you use these tips and tricks to help you save on both! When it comes to culture in Paris Region, fast-track tickets, invitations and discounts are all possible with our passes.

If you thought the Navigo Pass was just for public transport, think again! As a lucky holder of this season ticket, you also benefit from a number of cultural advantages. Discounts on cinema tickets, free or reduced admission to exhibitions, and invitations to go behind the scenes of festivals are among the more than 300 advantages you’re entitled to. You’ll be spoilt for choice and, in some cases, can even take a friend. But take note, such advantages are reserved only for holders of certain passes…

Are you hoping to visit every museum in Paris Region? There are culture passes to meet every need, for residents and visitors alike. With more than 130 museums and 450 historical monuments in Paris alone, seeing the sights can be expensive business. Luckily, you can visit the iconic sites at reduced prices with various passes, and children even get free admission in some cases. The Paris Museum Pass covers 50 top museums, including the Louvre, while the Carte Paris Musées offers unlimited access to temporary exhibitions at 14 Parisian museums.

There’s a specific pass that allows history buffs to visit sites from the Middle Ages or the days of kings and queens, such as the Palace of Versailles and the medieval town of Provins. And to enjoy cultural activities to the full in Île-de-France, the departments of Seine-Saint-Denis and Yvelines provide free passes that entitle you to discounts on admission to many cultural sites.

Travelling is great in Paris Region, but it’s even better when you know where to go. If you can’t be bothered with reading traditional maps, you can unveil the secrets of Île-de-France with the help of the many smartphone apps. Walks, bike rides, cultural tours, waiting times and everything else you need for a hassle-free experience. If you’re in the mood for a few fun facts or want to explore off the beaten track, head off on an unguided adventure, in the company of a mobile app.

There’s no shortage of apps to help you explore Paris Region. Whether you want to go on a nature walk, learn about a painting in the tiniest detail or just avoid those never-ending queues, you’ll find just the app you need. Fans of the great outdoors can take to the footpaths and trails with the help of Balades Parcs Naturels IDF or Balade Branchée, two apps that provide cultural information as you walk. For the sporty, Bougeott combines physical exercise and information about the local heritage.

Each department of Paris Region has its own specific apps featuring a variety of routes, such as Balad’Nature in Seine-et-Marne or Val-d’Oise my balade. As for culture, the Whatizis app helps you identify artworks and monuments just from a photo, while Affluences gives you real-time information on how busy a tourist attraction is at a given moment.

Fancy playing at adventurers? Exploring Île-de-France from an amusing angle? That’s what the Paris Region Aventures app is all about. Intended for families, this free app features 50 routes spread across different towns of the Paris Region. To rise to the challenges and meet the historical characters, children slip into the shoes of a detective to discover local heritage features, solving riddles as they go.