Frequently Asked Questions About Musée d’Orsay

Yes, visitors need Musée d’Orsay entry tickets. 
Various types of admission tickets are available:

Dedicated entry ticket 
Guided tour ticket
Musée d’Orsay and Seine river cruise
Musée d’Orsay and Louvre Museum combination ticket

If you plan to visit multiple museums and famous attractions in the city, a Paris Museum pass is also available.

Musée d’Orsay tickets are prebooked and they sell out. 

With annual visitors increasing to 3 million, it is safe to say that Musée d’Orsay is one of the most visited museums in the city. 

So book your tickets online in advance to secure your entry.

The Musée d’Orsay entry ticket costs €13.

With this admission ticket, you enjoy dedicated entry to the museum and access to the permanent collection and temporary exhibition.

Yes, Musée d’Orsay offers guided tours with skip the line access. 

On a guided tour, visitors enjoy 105 minutes tour of Musée d’Orsay and learn about the largest collection of Impressionist paintings from expert guides. 

You can also stay in the museum for however long you wish after the guided tour.

Entry to Musée d’Orsay is free for

– Visitors under 18 years of age 
– EU citizens or long-term residents of an EU country aged 18 to 25
– ICOM, ICOMOS card holders
– Visitors with Paris Museum Pass
– Barnes Foundation members with a guest 
– Louvre Abu Dhabi members with one to five guests
– Students of Ecole du Louvre, Ecole Nationale du Patrimoine, the Ecole des Chartes, the IFROA and university restoration graduates. 
– Teachers in the arts in universities and public art schools 
– Job seekers with proof of less than 6 months period of validity 
– Disabled visitors with one accompanying person 

To know more about free entry to Musée d’Orsay refer to the official website.

You can skip the line at Musée d’Orsay by purchasing a priority or skip-the-line ticket in advance. 

These tickets allow you to bypass the regular entrance line and provide quicker access to the museum. 

It’s important to note that there may still be some wait time during peak tourist seasons, even with skip-the-line tickets, but it is typically shorter than the standard line.

There are combination tickets available that allow you to visit both the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. 

These combination tickets often provide cost savings compared to purchasing separate tickets for each museum. 

They offer a convenient way to explore two of Paris’s most renowned art institutions in one visit.

Once you exit Musée d’Orsay, you cannot re-enter on the same ticket.
 
Musée d’Orsay’s admission policy generally allows for a single entry per ticket. 

If you leave the museum for any reason, you must purchase a new ticket if you wish to return

It is not possible to reschedule a ticket. 

If you arrive late to Musée d’Orsay for your scheduled entry time, you may have to wait until there is an available slot to enter. 
The museum operates on timed-entry tickets, and your ticket is valid for a specific time window. 

Musée d’Orsay staff will try to accommodate late arrivals, but it ultimately depends on the museum’s capacity and the availability of time slots.

 It’s advisable to arrive on time to make the most of your visit.

Musée d’Orsay typically accepts digital tickets displayed on your smartphone or mobile device. 

Many visitors purchase their tickets online and receive an electronic ticket that can be scanned at the entrance.

Just make sure your smartphone has sufficient battery life and that the ticket’s QR code or barcode is easily accessible for scanning when you arrive at the museum.

Group visits are allowed and welcomed at Musée d’Orsay. 

The museum can accommodate various types of groups, including schools, tour groups, and other organized gatherings.

A private tour of the Musée d’Orsay costs €285 for adult visitors (18+ years) and €112 for children (up to 17 years). 

The tour is available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian.

You can get a refund if you cancel 24 hours before the booked time slot. 

Yes, it is advisable to pre-book tickets to the Musée d’Orsay, especially during peak tourist seasons. 

Pre-booking allows you to secure your preferred entry time and date, avoiding potentially long lines at the ticket counter.

Once booked, you can not change the time of your Musée d’Orsay ticket.

Visitors below 17 years get free entry to Musée d’Orsay tickets.

Adult visitors can get the ticket at a concession price when purchased online in advance.

You can also get discounted tickets to Musée d’Orsay when you buy combo tickets or the Paris Museum Pass.

Musée d’Orsay houses the largest collection of Impressionist paintings by artisits like Monet, Manet, Morisot, Van Gogh and Renoir.

Tour around the five levels of Musée d’Orsay to immerse yourself in the art world. 

Highlights of Musée d’Orsay include Apples and Oranges, Starry Night, Olympia, Photography Gallery and Small Dancer Aged 14.
Visit Musée d’Orsay to experience the best of the artistic world.

Visitors need at least 3 to 4 hours to explore the museum and fully immerse in the world of Impressionism. 

If you are short on time or wish to see only the famous works, we suggest you take 2 hours to tour the Musée d’Orsay highlights. 
It is usual for guests to feel art fatigue set in after two hours.

Take breaks in between at the restaurant and cafes inside the museum before you resume your tour.

Musée d’Orsay is open from 9.30 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Sunday. 

On Thursdays, the opening hours extend to 9.45 pm. 

Know more about the opening hours of Musée d’Orsay before you visit.

Musée d’Orsay remains closed every Monday, May 1st and December 25th of every year.

The best time to visit Musée d’Orsay is at 9.30 am when the museum opens and during the extended opening hours on Thursdays from 6 pm to 9.30 pm. 

Try visiting the museum before the crowd flows in by 11 am. 

Musée d’Orsay witnesses more crowds on Tuesdays since the museum is closed on Mondays. 

You can expect crowds during weekends from 9.30 am to 1 pm, and the waiting time can go up from 1 hour to 2.5 hours during peak season (April to September).

On weekends it is suggested to visit after 2 pm to skip the crowds.

You can visit Musée d’Orsay in the evening on specific days. 

The museum typically extends its opening hours on Thursdays, allowing visitors to explore its collection until 9.45 pm. 

This evening opening lets you experience the museum in a quieter and more atmospheric setting, as crowds tend to be smaller during these extended hours. 

It’s a popular choice for those looking to enjoy art and culture in a more serene environment.

Musée d’Orsay is located in the heart of Paris, France, on the Left Bank of the River Seine. 
Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris. Get Directions. 

The museum is in the former Gare d’Orsay railway station, which was transformed into a museum in the late 20th century. 

Its central location makes it easily accessible and a prominent cultural attraction in the city.

The best way to reach Musée d’Orsay is by using public transportation. 

You can take the Paris Métro Line 12 and alight at the Solférino station, just a short walk from the museum. 
Alternatively, bus lines and RER C trains also serve the area. 

Many visitors explore the museum on foot, as it’s within walking distance of several other popular attractions, including the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

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

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

There is no specific dress code for Musée d’Orsay, but it’s advisable to dress comfortably and respectfully. 

Visitors are encouraged to wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees as a sign of respect for the museum’s cultural and artistic heritage. 

However, there are no strict dress code requirements, and casual attire is generally acceptable.

Prams (strollers) are allowed inside Musée d’Orsay. 

The museum is family-friendly and accommodates visitors with young children. 

While prams are permitted, it’s good to be mindful of other visitors and the artwork when navigating with a pram. 

Additionally, the museum offers baby-changing facilities and designated areas for stroller parking to enhance the convenience of family visits.

No, “Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh is not housed in Musée d’Orsay. 

It is part of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) collection in New York City.

Musée d’Orsay is considered highly worthwhile by many visitors. 

It houses an exceptional collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by artists like Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh.

In addition, you can also enjoy significant works from other art movements. 

The museum’s stunning Beaux-Arts architecture, convenient location, and comprehensive collection make it a must-visit for art enthusiasts and tourists in Paris.

Van Gogh’s paintings can be found at various museums in Paris, including the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie.

 The Musée d’Orsay holds several of his notable works, while the Musée de l’Orangerie is famous for housing a series of his Water Lilies paintings. 

Additionally, you can explore Van Gogh’s history in Paris by visiting places where he lived, such as Montmartre and Auvers-sur-Oise, a short train ride from the city.

Yes, you can bring water bottles into Musée d’Orsay. 

Staying hydrated is essential, especially during your visit, so carrying a water bottle with you is perfectly acceptable. 

However, it’s advisable to be considerate of the museum’s rules and other visitors by not consuming food or drinks in the galleries and exhibition areas.

Small backpacks are allowed inside Musée d’Orsay. 

Cloakroom facilities are available for visitors. 

However, only suitcases, travel bags and backpacks less than 56 x 45 x 25 cm can be stored in the cloakroom. 

Personal photography and videography are permitted within Musée d’Orsay

The use of flash photography is generally prohibited, as it can be damaging to the artworks and paintings.

Commercial photography and videography equipments are prohibited inside the museum.