Frequently Asked Questions about the Musée d'Orsay in 2025

Frequently Asked Questions about the Musée d’Orsay

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Musée d’Orsay in Paris on this page, covering everything from general questions to tickets and practical tips.

Check out quick and comprehensive answers to ensure your visit to the Orsay Museum is seamless and memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions about Musée d’Orsay: Tickets & Tours

No, the entrance to Musée d’Orsay is for most visitors not free of charge. >> See Our Overview of Recommended Musée d’Orsay Tickets Here.

However, teenagers up to the age of 18 have free admission. This also applies to all EU citizens under the age of 26, as well as visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person. Additionally, admission is free on the first Sunday of every month.

Yes, you need to pre-book your tickets for a guided tour through Orsay Museum. By purchasing Orsay Museum tickets online, you gain priority access, allowing you to enter the museum within 30 minutes of your reserved time slot. This ensures a smoother and more efficient experience during your visit.

Daily, except Monday, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Thursday until 9:45 pm
Closed on May 1 and December 25.
Last entry is 1 hour before closing time.
You need to choose a time slot of 30 minutes for entry.

>> More Information: Musée d’Orsay Opening Hours

In Musée d’Orsay, you can primarily admire works of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, but also Academicism, Symbolism, and Primitivism. On display are masterpieces by artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Édouard Manet, Vincent van Gogh, Gustave Courbet, Eugène Delacroix, Claude Monet, and Paul Cézanne.

Paintings

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette
Edouard Manet, The Luncheon on the Grass
Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night over the Rhone
Vincent Van Gogh, Self-Portrait
Gustave Courbet, A Burial in Ornans
Eugéne Delacroix, Arab Horses Fighting in a Stable
Claude Monet, The Rue Montorgueil in Paris
Paul Cézanne, The Bridge at Maincy

Sculptures

Edgar Degas, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen
Auguste Rodin, The Age of Bronze
Auguste Rodin, John the Baptist
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, Ugolino and His Sons
Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, The Dancer
Paul Albert Bartholomé, Ophelia
Antoine Bourdelle, Harmony
Antoine-Louis Barye, Hercules Slaying the Stymphalian Bird

To fully appreciate the magnificent artworks without feeling rushed, you should allocate at least 2 hours for your visit to Musée d’Orsay. However, 3 or 4 hours would be even better, since enjoying art is a matter of savoring it.

If you follow our advice and purchase your tickets online in advance, you will save a lot of time that otherwise might be spent in long queues at the ticket counters, which can be crowded with visitors, especially during peak season.

Musée d’Orsay houses an unparalleled collection of paintings and sculptures that depict the evolution of modern art between 1848 and 1914. Its primary genre is Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, but there are also works from Academicism, Symbolism, and Primitivism. The collection picks up where the Louvre’s ends. Some art enthusiasts believe that the Musée d’Orsay is the true gem of Paris.

Musée d’Orsay was originally constructed as a railway station for the 1900 World Exhibition. With its splendid Beaux-Arts architecture and the large glass clock, the Gare d’Orsay provided a modern setting for travelers of the early 20th century. The station primarily served to transport travelers between Paris and the southwest of France before it was repurposed as a museum in 1986.

>> More information: History of the Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay is about 138 meters long and roughly 70 meters wide. The building is around 40 meters high. The total exhibition space within the museum is about 57.000 square meters.

The Musée d’Orsay showcases around 4,000 artworks.

Find Our Selection of the Best Tickets Below

Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket

4.7/5

17.4K + Reviews

From €13

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Entry Ticket
Priority Entrance
Valid 1 Day
Not Refundable

“The reserved access made entry to the museum much quicker. Visiting in January there were still queues for buying entry tickets…”

See Reviews

Check Availability

Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket and Digital Audio Guide App

4.5/5

1.6K + Reviews

From €15

GetYourGuide

Reserve Now & Pay Later
Orsay Museum Entry Ticket
Smartphone Ticket Accepted
Audio Guide Included
Free Cancellation

“Very impressive exhibition, informative, very well documented, a parade of wonderful pictures…”

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Check Availability

Paris: Musée d’Orsay Ticket and Guided Tour

4.6/5

300 + Reviews

From €59

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Smartphone Ticket
2-Hr Guided Tour
Skip the Line Ticket included
Free Cancellation

“My tour of Musée d’Orsay was a phenomenal experience, largely thanks to our outstanding guide…”

See Reviews

Check Availability

Combo (Save 11%): Orsay Museum + Seine River Cruise Tickets

4.7/5

5.4K + Reviews

From €41.99

Headout

Instant Confirmation
Combo Ticket
Orsay Museum Ticket
1-Hr Seine Cruise
No Cancellation

“Everything! From booking at Headout to the staff cooperation at the site…everything was just perfect..will definitely recommend….”

See Reviews

Check Availability

Louvre Museum + Musée d’Orsay

4.8/5

80 + Reviews

From €35.65

Tiqets

Instant Confirmation
Combo Ticket
Dedicated Entry to Musée d’Orsay
Fast-Track Access to Louvre
No Cancellation

“Convenient and fast, especially at the Louvre museum we avoided a very long queue, saving time…”

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Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket

17.4K + Reviews (4.7/5)

With this ticket, you’ll explore the Musée d’Orsay at your own pace. Benefit from priority entrance through a seperate entrance and skip the line. Head to entrance A, present your ticket, and gain access to the permanent collection as well as any temporary exhibitions available on the day of your visit. Secure your ticket now and immerse yourself in the world of Impressionism. Admire masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and other major artists of this era.

Priority Entrance To The Museum
Access to the permanent collection & temporary exhibition

Starting Time: Select your preferred time slot

GetYourGuide traveler – United Kingdom, February 2023 [Source: GetYourGuide]

The reserved access made entry to the museum much quicker. Visiting in January there were still queues for buying entry tickets. The address given could be slightly confusing. You just need to join the prepaid queue on the entrance side of the museum building.

From €13

Check Availability

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Entry Ticket
Priority Entrance
Valid 1 day
Not Refundable

Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket and Digital Audio Guide App

1.6K + Reviews (4.5/5)

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Impressionism at the Musée d’Orsay. This museum is home to unparalleled masterpieces from legendary artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Thanks to your included downloadable audio guide app available in 13 languages, you can listen to insightfull audio commentary and truly appreciate the world-class art collection of more than 300 pieces!

Orsay Museum entry ticket
Complimentary digital audio guide app (downloadable app)
Flexible entry time

Starting Time: Select your time slot for Eiffel Tower; admission to Orsay Museum at any time during operating hours.

Duration of Eiffel Tower guided tour: 1.5 hours

Hans Albert, Switzerland – June 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]

Very impressive exhibition, informative, very well documented, a parade of wonderful pictures. Also interesting is the comparison with the “official” painters of the time, who were selected by the jury – in contrast to the Impressionists. The “official” painters were technically good – very good, but conventional; today most of them are forgotten, in contrast to the Impressionists.

From €15

Check Availability

GetYourGuide

Reserve Now & Pay Later
Orsay Museum Entry Ticket
Smartphone Ticket
Audio Guide Included
Free Cancellation

Paris: Musée d’Orsay Ticket and Guided Tour

300 + Reviews (4.6/5)

With this ticket, you’ll delve deeper into the collections of the Orsay Museum and absorb even more valuable information about the grand era of Impressionism and its world-famous artists. Meet your guide in front of the museum, enjoy priority entrance, and marvel at the masterpieces of Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and others while listening to the stories and anecdotes of your knowledgeable companion, packed with valuable insights. Enhance your knowledge of this art era now!

Skip-the-line ticket for Musée d’Orsay
Licensed Guide
English-speaking Tour

Starting times: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10:00 AM

Maximum group size: 15 people

Meeting point: Next to the rhino statue outside the museum. Your guide will be holding a sign with the name “Walks”

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts and bring your ID or passport

5* GetYourGuide traveler – United States, December 14, 2023 – Verified booking

My tour of Musée d’Orsay was a phenomenal experience, largely thanks to our outstanding guide. Their passion and extensive knowledge about art history brought the museum’s collection to life. The guide expertly navigated us through the masterpieces, weaving fascinating stories and historical context that captivated our group. Their enthusiasm was infectious, making every moment engaging. This tour was not just educational, but a truly immersive journey through art, leaving me eager to return.

From €59

Check Availability

GetYourGuide

Instant Confirmation
Smartphone Ticket
2-Hr Guided Tour
Skip the Line Ticket included
Free Cancellation

Combo (Save 11%): Orsay Museum + Seine River Cruise Tickets

5.4K + Reviews (4.7/5)

With this combo ticket, you’ll explore the world of Impressionism at the Orsay Museum and take in the sights of Paris on a river cruise by Bateaux Parisiens. Admire striking masterpieces from world-renowned 19th-century artists like Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh, and discover the attractions of the City of Love and Lights such as Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral from a unique perspective from the waterside. Listen to insightful commentary about the distinctive landmarks as you gently glide them by.

1-hour Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Cruise (flexible ticket)
Audio Guide In 14 Languages On Board
Entrance To The Orsay Museum (Within The Chosen Time Slot)

Validity: Valid for the date selected during checkout.

Duration of seine cruise: 1 hour

5* Darshana – June 2024 [Source: Headout]

Everything! From booking at Headout to the staff cooperation at the site…everything was just perfect..will definitely recommend to all my friends and family. Also, planning to book again for family soon. Thank you and keep up the good work!

From €41.99

Check Availability

Headout

Instant Confirmation
Combo Ticket
Entry to Orsay Museum
1-Hr Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Cruise
No Cancellation

Louvre Museum + Musée d’Orsay

80 + Reviews (4.5/5)

This combo ticket is the ultimate experience for art enthusiasts. It offers access to the two most famous museums in Paris. Start at Louvre, whose exhibits cover the world of art from the 5th millennium BC to the 19th century. Then, move on to Musée d’Orsay, whose collection picking up where those of Louvre end and continue into the early 20th century. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to exchange into 7000 years of art history!

Musée Du Louvre