Entrance to Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay welcomes visitors through four main entrances, marked A, B, C and D.

There are two riverside Musee d’Orsay entrances and two on the side of Rue de Lille.

Knowing which entrance to Musee d’Orsay to take before your visit is essential or you will waste time waiting in the wrong queue.

If you are confused about which Musee d’Orsay entrance to take, this article has got you covered.

Here is a quick video explaining all the entrances of the museum:

Seine Riverside entrances

Entrance A

The first entrance to Musee d’Orsay is open for visitors with or without tickets.

This entrance has ticket counters for visitors to buy their Musée d’Orsay entry tickets.

If you plan to visit without purchasing your ticket prior, note that the waiting time could go up to 2.5 hours during peak season.

To skip the waiting lines and enjoy easy access, purchase your Musée d’Orsay entry tickets online.

The Q1 in this entrance is dedicated for:

Pregnant women
Disabled persons with a disability card or a “priority” card for disabled persons, with an accompanying person
Carte blanche from the Orsay and Orangerie museums
Member of the Society of Friends of the Orsay and Orangery Museums
Member of the American Friends Musée d’Orsay
Annual pass, VIP
Musée d’Orsay pass
ICOM and ICOMOS cards
Press card
Culture Card (with a companion)
Sotheby’s card
Louvre Abu Dhabi card
Barnes Foundation card
Ecole du Louvre card
Guide-lecturer (see group access conditions)
Professional artists
Scientific staff of French and foreign public museums (curators and museum inspectors)
Staff of the National Institute of Art History
Members of Parliament, senators and members of the European Parliament
Personalities on official visits
Auditorium ticket
Ticket for an activity

The Q2 at entrance A is allotted for visitors with reserved time slots for the permanent or temporary collection.

Entrance B

The second option for Musee d’Orsay entrance allows large groups with a prior reservation.

Entrance B is the entrance for you if you are part of a large group with prior bookings.

If you have booked a group tour, this is your entrance.

Entrances on Rue de Lille side

Entrance C

This is the main entrance of Musée d’Orsay.

If you have bought your Musée d’Orsay tickets online, then this is your entrance.

The Musée d’Orsay Entrance C is open for

AFMO members
Visitors with tickets
Pass holders
Visitors with special needs
Disabled visitors

Queues at this entrance move the fastest as visitors have already purchased their Musée d’Orsay tickets.

If you are a Paris Museum Pass holder, this is your entrance.

Queue C1: visitors with tickets without time slots and without the need to make a reservation. You can join this queue if you have:

Paris Museum Pass
Combined Orsay/Orangery tickets
Twin tickets Orsay/Rodin
Paris Pass’Lib
Admission tickets without time slots

Queue C2: visitors buying their ticket on the spot or beneficiaries of free admission like:

Under 18 years old
18-25 year olds who are nationals of the European Union or the European Economic Area.
18-25 year olds who are not citizens of the European Union but are long-term residents of France or another EU country (holders of a visa of more than three months)
Students in art programs at public universities and art schools (up to age 30)
Teachers of art courses in public universities and art schools
Job seekers
Beneficiaries of minimum social benefits, asylum seekers and refugees
Holders of the minimum old age pension
Disabled persons holding a disability card or a “priority” card for disabled persons, with an accompanying person
Holders of the Education Pass
Students in ESPE (formerly IUFM, 1st and 2nd year)

Entrance D:

The Musée D’Orance Entrance D is open only for school groups who have made their reservations before visiting.

Planning to visit Musee d’Orsay? Here are some more relevant information to help you plan your visit.

FAQs

1. How many Orsay Museum entrances are there?

Entrance to Musee d’Orsay has four possible options to choose from.

Entrance A is for those who are yet to purchase an entry ticket and has ticket counters.

Entrance B is for large groups with prior bookings.

Entrance C is the main entrance of the museum.

Entrance D is the entrance for school groups who have made prior reservations.

2.Is entry to Musee d’Orsay free?

You must purchase a Musee d’Orsay entry ticket to access the museum and its exhibit.

3. Where is the Orsay Museum entrance?

The Musee d’Orsay entrances are located on two different sides:

There are two riverside Musee d’Orsay entrances and two on the side of Rue de Lille.

You can find Entrances A and B on Riverside and C and D on the Rue De Lille side.

4. Which is the best Orsay Museum entrance for ticket holders?

Entrance C is the only entrance for visitors with a ticket.

If you have a Paris Museum Pass or City pass, take the same entrance C.

5. Which Orsay Museum entrance is suitable for groups?

Entrance B is suitable for large groups with reservations.

If you are visiting in groups, make sure to reserve your entry prior to your visit.

6. Which Orsay Museum entrance is suitable for members?

Visitors with Musee d’Orsay membership must take the Entrance A.

All AFMO members must take Entrance C.

For all visitors planning to visit Musee d’Orsay, here is a list of tickets you can choose from.

Dedicated entry ticket: This ticket offers dedicated entry to the museum with access to permanent and temporary collections.
Buy This Ticket | Learn More

Guided tour ticket: Enjoy a 1 hour 45 minutes guided tour and skip the line access to Musee d’Orsay.
Buy This Ticket | Learn More

Musee d’Orsay and Seine River Cruise: Visitors can tour the Musee d’Orsay and then experience a cruise over the Seine.
Buy This Ticket | Learn More

Musee d’Orsay and Louvre Museum: This combination ticket offers entry to both Musee d’Orsay and Louvre Museum.
Buy This Ticket | Learn More

Paris City Museum Pass: Visit the best museums in Paris with just one pass.
Buy This Ticket | Learn More

Featured Image: Musee-orsay.fr