How to buy tickets to the Orsay Museum in Paris easily and without stress

The Orsay Museum in Paris awaits you with its extraordinary collection of 19th century works of art. With FullTravel.it, purchasing tickets will be simple and stress-free! Find out how to best enjoy your visit, admiring masterpieces by Monet and Renoir and enjoying the panoramic view from the panoramic terrace.

Musée D'Orsay along the Seine, Paris - Photo by Jean-Philippe Fourier P
Musée D'Orsay along the Seine, Paris - Photo by Jean-Philippe Fourier P

Paris it is a dream city for art lovers and Orsay Museum it is undoubtedly an unmissable stop. This majestic museum, housed in a renovated old train station, boasts an extraordinary collection of 19th-century works by the likes of Claude Monet, Renoir e Vincent Van Gogh. Not only are the artworks on display stunning, but the architecture of the building is also breathtaking. Furthermore, visitors will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the city from two observation points located behind the large clock and from a panoramic terrace above the Café des Hauteurs.

Il Orsay Museum it houses the largest collection of impressionist paintings in the world and is one of the city's main attractions. However, its popularity also leads to large influxes of visitors. For this reason, FullTravel.it has prepared this detailed guide on how to purchase tickets for the Orsay Museum, in order to guarantee you a peaceful and stress-free experience.

If you're in a hurry – How to buy tickets for the Musée d'Orsay: The best way to Buy tickets for the Orsay Museum online in advance here . These tickets allow you to skip the queue and are refundable up to 24 hours in advance. If you would like to combine a visit to the Musée d'Orsay with a cruise on the Seine, purchase instead a combined ticket.

Best ways to buy tickets to the Musée d'Orsay

There are several ways to purchase tickets Orsay Museum and the best choice depends on how you want to experience the museum and the city of Paris in general. There are also some options to save money or even get free entry.

Buy tickets directly at the entrance (not recommended)

You can purchase tickets directly at the entrance of the Orsay Museum at a reduced price of €14 instead of €16. However, this option is not recommended. Even in the low season, long queues form when the museum opens, as millions of tourists and residents visit it every year. To at least avoid queues, it is better not to buy tickets directly at the entrance.

Book online in advance (recommended option)

One of the best ways to get entrance tickets is to book them online in advance. In this way, you can avoid the queue outside and directly access the security checks. It will be like having a skip-the-line ticket for the Orsay Museum. You can choose to purchase tickets on the museum's official website or through a third-party reseller such as GetYourGuide. The latter option is recommended, as i tickets sold through GetYourGuide they are fully refundable up to 24 hours before the visit, unlike those sold on the official website. GetYourGuide also offers a convenient feature that allows you to book now and pay later, ideal for those who are not yet ready to finalize the purchase.

Helpful tip. On the first Monday of every month, you can get free tickets to the Orsay Museum. Free tickets are open to all visitors, but to take advantage of this offer you must book them online in advance. Tickets are released about a month early and sell out quickly, so check the official website to see when the next free tickets are released.

Book a guided tour

If you are interested in learning more about the works and artists, you can book one guided tour of the Orsay Museum. You can choose between a group visit, a small group visit or a group visit with lunch included. The visit lasts one hour and 45 minutes and will cover several famous Impressionist works, including works by Manet, Renoir and Monet. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the history and architecture of the industrial-style building! 90-minute guided tours through the museum are also available, but children under the age of 13 cannot participate.

Combine a cruise on the Seine River and the ticket to the Orsay Museum

If you plan to visit the Orsay Museum and take a cruise on the Seine River, you can consider purchasing this combined package. You will get a priority entry ticket for the Orsay Museum, plus a ticket for an open river cruise, which will allow you to board when it is most convenient for you.

Purchase a Museum Pass

Paris is full of incredible museums and you probably plan to visit more than one in addition to Orsay Museum. Well, you can get priority access to over 60 museums and attractions in the city at a great price with the Paris Museum Pass. Not only will you have priority access to some of the city's most popular museums such as the Louvre and the Orsay Museum, but you will also have access to other attractions such as Versailles, the Arc de Triomphe and the Château de Pierrefonds, all for one price. The Paris Museum Pass It's valid for a set period, so you can choose how long you want it to be active, from two to six days, with the option to also include a Seine River cruise.

Useful information for visiting the Orsay Museum

When is the best time to visit the Musée d'Orsay?

The best time to visit Orsay Museum It depends on how you prefer to experience the museum. For example, if you're looking to save a few euros, the best time to go would be during the free entry days, which are the first Monday of every month. While this is a great option for budget-conscious travelers, those who want to avoid the crowds will find the low season (November to March) much less crowded. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are usually less busy, with Thursday offering extended opening hours until 21pm, allowing you to enjoy the museum's works in a more relaxed atmosphere.

What are the opening hours of the Orsay Museum?

Il Orsay Museum it is open every day except Mondays (except for the first Monday of each month, when entry is free). On Thursdays, the museum offers extended hours from 9:30 a.m. to 21:45 p.m. On all other days, the museum is open from 9am to 30pm. The only other days the museum is closed are Christmas (December 18) and Labor Day in France (May 00).

How to reach the Orsay Museum?

Il Orsay Museum it is located on the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre. Therefore, this museum is located in a very central position! Getting to the museum is quite simple using public transport or your own feet, but due to its central location, it is not recommended to get there by car, as it will be difficult to find parking nearby.

The museum has several public transport stops nearby. You can use the metro line 12 to Solférino station, the RER C line to Musée d'Orsay station, or take a taxi or rental service. Nearby bus stops serve lines 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87 and 94. Since Paris is famous for its heavy traffic, the fastest way to reach the museum is to use the metro or train !

How do Orsay Museum tickets work?

There are five different types of tickets Orsay Museum available. The first is a standard timed entry ticket, which must be booked in advance. This standard ticket is also available at the gate, but you may have to wait a long time to be admitted, as those who have booked online have priority. Standard tickets will give access to both the museum's permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The second type of ticket is called Enfant & Cie, and is a discounted ticket for an adult accompanying a child under the age of 18. With a standard ticket or Enfant & Cie booked in advance, you will have direct access to the security check line.

Discounted entry tickets are also available for Thursday evenings, from 18pm to 00pm, which work just like a standard ticket, as well as free entry tickets for the first Monday of the month.

Visitors with tickets for a guided tour of the Orsay Museum they will be able to skip the regular security queue and access a priority lane, allowing faster entry. Once inside, they will be able to enjoy a guided tour of the works and the building, and after the tour they will be able to visit the Orsay Museum to their liking. If you book the guided tour directly with the museum, you will not have the privilege of skipping the security line. There are two options for official guided tours of the museum: one that gives access only to the museum during the tour and one that gives access to the museum with the tour and a ticket to visit it independently afterward.

It is important to note that, regardless of the type of ticket, you will only have access to the museum once. Re-entry is not permitted.

How much do tickets to the Orsay Museum cost?

Tickets for the Orsay Museum they are free for children under the age of 18, EU citizens aged between 18 and 25 and people with disabilities (including their companion). For a standard adult ticket, the price is €14 at the door or €16 if booked online in advance. If you want to combine a Seine river cruise and a ticket to the Orsay Museum, the combo ticket will cost €39,90 for an adult and €17,90 for children or EU citizens aged between 18 and 25. Children aged 3 years and under enter free.

Prices for a guided tour of the Orsay Museum they vary depending on whether you choose a standard group or small group visit and whether you book through the museum or not. The starting price for a guided group tour ticket from a third-party tour agency is €62,90 for adults, €49,90 for children aged 11-17 and €34,90, 4 for children aged between 10 and 10 years. For an official guided tour of the museum without an entrance ticket (which means you will only be able to see the part of the museum included in the tour), the price is €26 per person, regardless of age. An official guided tour of the museum with entrance ticket has a fixed price for all age groups, equal to €XNUMX.

The cost of the Paris Museum Pass depends on how many days you want it to be valid. The starting price for a two-day Paris Museum Pass is €70 for adults. For a two-day Paris Museum Pass with Seine River cruise, the cost starts from €85. Since children under the age of 18 can enter public museums for free, they will not need a Museum Pass. However, you will still need to book a timed entry ticket for them online to ensure access.

What are the best hotels near the Orsay Museum?

As we stated earlier, the Orsay Museum it is located in a very central location, within walking distance of other important attractions such as the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens and the Petit Palais. So, if you want to stay close to some of Paris' main attractions, you should book a hotel nearby Orsay Museum. If you want an elegant and luxurious experience in Paris, you can't go wrong with Le Meurice. This five-star hotel boasts soundproofed rooms, a two-Michelin-star restaurant, a spa and a panoramic rooftop bar. The hotel also accepts pets.

Another great hotel to stay in is the Le Petit Chomel, located just 15 minutes walk from Orsay Museum. This three-star hotel offers on-site parking, airport shuttle service and room service. All rooms are accessible by lift, making it the ideal accommodation for those with mobility difficulties.

For a more modern hotel in the heart of Paris, check out the Millésime Hôtel. You can enjoy breakfast in the courtyard or in the main breakfast room. The hotel also has an internal bar and is pet friendly.

How does security work at the Musée d'Orsay?

All visitors to the museum must pass through security checks before entering. To avoid being stopped or having items confiscated, make sure you do not carry any of the prohibited items listed below:

  • Large bags larger than 56x45x25 cm.
  • Scooters, folding bicycles, bicycles, roller skates or skateboards.
  • Tools, such as screwdrivers or hammers.
  • Weapons, including knives.


Accessibility for visitors with disabilities

Il Orsay Museum it is a very accessible attraction and even offers free entry for people with disabilities and their companions. Those with mobility issues will be able to access all parts of the museum using ramps and lifts, and wheelchairs, folding chairs and canes are also available free of charge. For visitors with visual impairments, guide dogs are welcome and audio guides are also available. The museum has also partnered with Souffleurs de Sens and can provide a volunteer guide for your visit. The entrance reserved for people with disabilities is located at entrance C.

FAQ: curiosities about the Orsay Museum

How old is the Orsay Museum?

Il Orsay Museum it first opened its doors to the public in 1986. However, the building itself opened as a train station in 1900, to welcome visitors to the city for the World's Fair.

How much time should I dedicate to visiting the Musée d'Orsay?

Visitors tend to spend two to four hours inside the museum.

What happens if I arrive late for my entry time?

If you arrive later than your scheduled entry time, don't worry! Your ticket remains valid for the whole day, but you will lose your time slot and will have to queue with other holders of standard tickets purchased in person.

Is there a cloakroom for luggage?

Yes, there is a free cloakroom available for guests to leave jackets and bags.

Who designed the Musée d'Orsay?

Il Orsay Museum it was designed by architect Victor Laloux in Beaux-Arts style. In fact, more metal was used in the construction of the Orsay Museum than in the Eiffel Tower!

What makes the Musée d'Orsay special?

Il Orsay Museum it is one of the largest museums in Europe and houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

Here's everything you need to know to have a relaxing and enjoyable visit to Orsay Museum. If you want to take a walk in the sun after your visit to the museum, take a look at our guide to the best parks in Paris. We wish you a good trip to the City of Light!

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Information about Anna Bruno 123 Articles
Professional journalist, former reporter for "La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno", she specializes in travel, food, music and technologies. She is co-founder of the communication and digital PR agency FullPress Agency, she is the managing director of FullTravel.it, a travel magazine and of "VerdeGusto", as well as two other magazines. She is the author of “Digital Travel” and “Digital Food”, the fourth and fifth books respectively, for Flaccovio Editore. Digital Travel & Food Specialist, she is a consultant and teacher in training courses and is the delegate for the SOUTH and Islands of the Italian Travel Press (ITP).

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