Orsay Museum tours and tickets
Light pours through this old railway station, where great clocks watch over Impressionist masterpieces.
Hours of operation
9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, open to 9:45 PM on Thursdays. Closed Mondays.
Ticket required
Free for select groups. Advance booking recommended.
Best time to visit
At opening or on Thursday evenings.
Orsay Museum tours for families
Explore family-friendly options to visit Musée d’Orsay.
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Orsay Museum tours under $75
Explore budget-friendly options to visit Musée d’Orsay.
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About the Orsay Museum
The Orsay Museum was built as a Beaux-Arts railway station for the 1900 Universal Exposition. Today it holds the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art. The collection includes works from 1848 to 1914, when painters like Monet, Van Gogh, and Cezanne were redefining how we see the color, light, and texture of everyday life.
Top highlights for your visit
The Impressionist galleries
On the 5th floor of the Orsay Museum, you’ll find the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces, including Renoir’s Bal du moulin de la Galette and Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhone.
The building itself
Before it housed a single painting, the Orsay Museum was a Beaux-Arts railway station. Its soaring glass nave and monumental architecture are the first works of art you’ll encounter on arrival.
The great clocks
Giant, translucent station clocks, preserved from the museum’s railway days, frame a striking view across the Seine toward the Sacré-Coeur.
The photography gallery
Beyond its paintings and sculptures, the museum houses a historical collection of over 45,000 images that trace the evolution of photography into the 20th century.
Musée d’Orsay FAQs
How much time should I spend at the Orsay Museum?
The collection at the Orsay Museum is wonderfully expansive, and trying to take it all in during a single visit can be overwhelming. A more enjoyable approach is to choose one or two areas to explore at your own pace. You’ll come away feeling more connected to what you saw rather than rushed through it.
What is the best time to visit to avoid the crowds?
Arriving right when the Orsay museum opens at 9:30 AM is one of the best ways to ease into the experience before things get busy. Thursday evenings are also a great option, with the galleries staying open until 9:45 PM for a quieter, more relaxed visit. Midday can be a peaceful window too, as many visitors step out for lunch.
Do I need to book my tickets in advance?
Yes, booking your Orsay Museum tickets and reserving a time slot before you arrive is strongly recommended. Doing so will help everything go smoothly, especially with an ongoing renovation project affecting how visitors move through the space.
How will renovations affect my visit?
From March 2026 through summer 2028, the Orsay Museum will be restoring its main hall and forecourt. The galleries will remain fully open during that time, but visitors will enter through a temporary entrance on the Seine side of the building rather than the usual front entrance.
Is the Orsay Museum accessible for wheelchair users?
Absolutely. The museum is thoughtfully set up with spacious elevators and ramps connecting all exhibition levels. Those with limited mobility can also borrow a wheelchair free of charge at the cloakroom.
Who is eligible for free admission to the museum?
Anyone under 18 and European Union residents under 26 can explore the Orsay Museum free of charge. People with disabilities can also receive free admission for themselves and one companion.
What is the best way to get to the museum?
Getting to the Orsay Museum in Paris is easy using public transit. You can take Metro Line 12 to Solférino station, or ride the RER C train directly to the Musée d’Orsay station, which brings you right to the entrance below the galleries.
Is the museum building itself historically significant?
Very much so. The Orsay Museum is housed in a former railway station built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris, France. Its soaring glass ceilings and grand Beaux-Arts design are considered works of art in their own right.
Things to know before visiting Musée d’Orsay
Entry
- Book your timed entry slot online in advance.
- Visitors under 18, EU residents under 26, and guests with disabilities enter free.
- Open Tuesday through Sunday until 6:00 PM, with late hours until 9:45 PM on Thursdays.
What to bring
- The collection is extensive, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Dress in layers to stay comfortable, as temperatures vary across the galleries.
- Bring a valid ID if you plan to borrow a wheelchair or exchange a stroller.
Additional information
- All galleries are wheelchair accessible via elevators and ramps.
- Coats and bags larger than 56x45x25 cm must be checked at the free cloakroom.
- Use the entrance on the Seine side until summer 2028 due to ongoing renovations.