Book Your Orsay Museum Tickets & Tours
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Dedicated Entry Tickets to Orsay Museum
- These dedicated access tickets to the Orsay Museum with extended validity allow you to admire permanent and temporary exhibits at your own pace.
- From the 19th-century and beyond, the Impressionist to the Post-Impressionist, take in the works of Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, Courbet, and more!
- Head to the open-air terrace of the Orsay Museum to catch stunning views of the Seine River and Paris, as far as Montmartre.
- Watch out for the exciting temporary exhibitions, including an upcoming collection on Manet / Degas from 28 March to 23 July, 2023.
- Did you know that Musée d’Orsay was once a railway station? Enter a unique architectural space filled with history.
Inclusions
- Orsay Museum tickets
- Access to permanent collections
- Access to temporary exhibitions (subject to availability)
Exclusions
- Official Audioguide
- Pro Tip: Just 1km from Musée d'Orsay lies the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Complete your artistic journey in this bustling district filled with classic cafes frequented by renowned artists and writers.
- Note: Entry is free on the first Sunday of every month, but only for access to permanent exhibitions.
- To avoid the crowds, it is recommended to plan your visit in the early hours of the day.
- Wheelchairs are available on rent.
- These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 4 October, 2023.
- These tickets are valid until 4 October, 2023.
Combo (Save 5%): Orsay Museum + Seine River Cruise Tickets
- For the ultimate Parisian experience, book this money-saving combo ticket and access Musée d’Orsay followed by a cruise on the River Seine.
- Musée d’Orsay is home to myriad Impressionist paintings by legendary artists like Van Gogh, - Cezanne, Manet, and Monet.
- Board a glass canopy boat and take in breathtaking panoramic views of the city; cruise past the Pantheon, Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and more!
- Get the inside scoop on these iconic Parisian landmarks with the help of dedicated audio headsets available in 14 languages.
Inclusions
- Tickets to the Musée d'Orsay
- 1-hour Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Cruise (flexible ticket)
- Complimentary audio guide on the cruise, available in 14 languages
Orsay Museum
- Tip: To experience all the available collections, it is recommended that you visit at least 3 hours before closing time.
- Access permanent exhibitions for free on the first Sunday of every month. However, also be prepared for large crowds.
Seine River Cruise
- Click here to see the route your boat will take along the River Seine, starting at the foot of the Eiffel Tower!
- Keep an eye out to your right and capture a unique perspective of Musée d'Orsay from the cruise.
- These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 4 October, 2023.
- These tickets are valid until 4 October, 2023.
Musée d'Orsay Highlights Semi-Private Guided Tour with Dedicated Entrance
- Meet your guide outside the entrance of the Musée d'Orsay, which is housed inside a spectacular 19th-century railway station.
- Your tour will almost feel like a trip back in time to Paris's golden age, which produced some of history's greatest artists in a few short decades.
- Listen as your guide offers a brief overview of the history, including the techniques in the 19th and early 20th centuries that changed what art means forever.
- The expert English-speaking guide will take you through the best path of the collection so you can observe the most famous works of art.
- They will also let you in on tidbits about the artists themselves: learn about how Van Gogh lived and died, and envision life in the Belle Époque ("beautiful era").
- With no more than 6 people at a time, your guide will be able to tailor the tour to something that suits your interests.
- By the end of the tour, you will have an enriched perspective on art and the grandeur of Paris.
Inclusions
- Expert, English-speaking tour guide
- Small groups of 6 people or fewer
- Dedicated entry and reservation fee for the Musée d'Orsay
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Infants aged 3 and under can go for free. Children aged 4-17 enjoy reduced ticket pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Combo: Eiffel Tower Summit Tour + Orsay Museum Ticket
- Tick 2 of the most famous landmarks off your list with this budget-friendly combo ticket. Summit the Eiffel Tower and discover Orsay Museum by yourself.
- From Sacré-Cœur Basilica in the north, to Les Invalides in the east, skip the lines and spot Parisian gems from breezy viewpoints on the Iron Lady.
- Your expert English or French-speaking guide will give you the scoop on urban legends. You can continue to explore the tower at your own pace after the tour.
- See intricate stone and bronze sculptures in a rare collection at Musée d’Orsay, as well as 19th century Impressionist masterpieces.
- This gallery was constructed in the former Orsay Station so be sure to fully explore the unique building that itself is a work of art.
Inclusions
Eiffel Tower Summit Tour
- Skip the line access to the Eiffel Tower
- Expert bilingual (English and French-speaking) tour guide
- 1.5-hr guided tour of the Eiffel Tower
- Access to the summit of the Tower
- Seine River Cruise (optional)
Orsay Museum
- Orsay Museum Tickets
Eiffel Tower
- Tip: Don’t forget to peek into Gustave Eiffel’s private little apartment on the top level of the tower.
- Please note that you will only be allowed to enter at the time chosen during the booking, so we recommend arriving 30 minutes in advance in order to ensure a hassle-free entry.
- In rare instances, the Summit of the Eiffel Tower may be temporarily closed due to situations beyond our control, such as inclement weather or other circumstances. When this occurs, the group will be unable to access the Summit even if it reopens during your tour, but you will be provided a refund for the price of Summit access.
Orsay Museum
- Tip: If you have the time and want to tour the museum chronologically, start on the right after entering the mezzanine.
- However, if you’ve only budgeted a couple hours and are primarily interested in Impressionism, head right upstairs to the top floor to enjoy the classic works in this style.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Musée d'Orsay Entry & Mini Walking Tour
- A combo experience that includes a mini walking tour of the Seine bridges - Pont Neuf, Pont des Arts, Pont du Carrousel, and the Pont Royal. Get a self-exploration entry ticket to the Musée d'Orsay.
- Walk across some of Paris’ oldest standing bridges that have stood against time to witness important historical events.
- A glance into the history of the Île de la Cité situated amidst the Seine River.
- Capture the breathtaking view of the water reflecting the shades of sunlight from the Pont Des Arts.
- Get a view of the grand glass and metal structure- the Louvre Pyramid!
- Let the events of the Battle Of The Banks: The Rive Gauche Vs The Rive Droite unfold as you walk along the Pont du Carrousel and the Pont Royal.
Inclusions
- Entry ticket to the Musée d'Orsay
- Mini-guided Seine bridges walking tour
- English-speaking guide
Exclusions
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick-up & drop-off
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Your Orsay Museum Tickets Options
Standard Access Tickets
Duration: The visit can last as long as you would like.
- These Orsay Museum tickets provide dedicated entry into the museum.
- With this ticket, guests can choose their preferred time slot to visit the museum and get access to all the permanent and temporary exhibits.
- Guests can also go to the top floor with this ticket and get splendid panoramic views of Paris.
Guided Tours
Duration: 2 hours
- With these priority access tickets, you can skip past the long lines and walk right into the Musée d’Orsay.
- You can choose between 2 ticket options: an audio guide and an expert English-speaking tour guide.
- The audio guide is available in 4 languages and comes with a museum map and visitor guide.
Combo Tour
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours. You can stay explore Orsay on your own after the tour is completed.
- Visit two popular attractions in Paris with one ticket, which is an extremely pocket-friendly way to explore the city.
- Along with the Orsay Museum, depending on the ticket you choose, you can explore Musee de L'Orangerie, the Louvre, the Quai Branly, the Eiffel Tower or go on a Seine River Cruise.
- Not all options offer a guided tour; however, you can take advantage of the audio guides available to make your experience fulfilling.
Explore the Orsay Museum
Between 1810 and 1838, the site where Orsay stands today served as cavalry barracks and later a grand palace. The palace, Palais d’Orsay, housed the Court of Accounts and the State Council. By 1912, both institutions had moved to the Cambon Palace and Palais-Royal, respectively.
The site of the Palais d'Orsay was bought by the Compagnie Paris-Orléans, which erected a new station, the Gare d'Orsay here. The station was designed by French architect Victor Alexandre Frederic Laloux. It was constructed in a neoclassical style with a stone facade that could hide metal and glass frames and was equipped with modern amenities like lifts and escalators. In 1939, the railway station halted operation the platforms became unsuitable for modern trains. Eventually, in 1978 the station was put on the supplementary list of Historic Monuments and it was decided that the station would be turned into a museum. The Orsay museum officially opened in December 1986.
History of Orsay Museum
The giant clock that adorns the Orsay Museum building is one of the few remnants from the building's past as a railway station. One of the remnants of the old station is a beautiful giant clock that remains in the museum. It's located on the fifth floor of the building and is part of the great clock.
The clock does not stand simply as a reminder of the past; it offers stunning views of the Seine River, and famous Parisian landmarks nearby such as the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden, and Sacre Coeur.
Know More
Orsay is home to an impressive collection of French art dating from 1848 to 1914, with much of the focus on Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces. The Orsay collection includes over 6,000 works of art, which include paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. Of these, 3,000 works form part of the museum's permanent collection.
Notable works include Poppies by Monet, The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, The Age of Bronze by Auguste Rodin, and photographs by Gustave Le Gray.
Explore the Collection at Orsay
Paintings make a significant portion of the Orsay Museum collection. You will find an impressive repertoire of 3,000 Realist, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and other 19th-century art. The vast collection includes works by artists some of the greatests such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Cezanne, and more.
Some of the most famous artworks include A Burial at Ornans by Gustave Courbet, Blue Water Lilies by Claude Monet, Frédéric Bazille's The Family Reunion, and Paul Cézanne's Apples and Oranges. Orsay is also home to 24 of Vincent van Gogh's paintings including L'Arlésienne, Bedroom in Arles, Self Portrait, The Siesta, The Church at Auvers, View from the Chevet, The Italian Woman, Starry Night, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Doctor Gachet's Garden in Auvers, and Saint-Rémy.
Detailed Overview of Paintings as Orsay
- A total of 12,000 tons of metal was used in its construction, which is more than the amount used to build the Eiffel Tower.
- After Gare d’Orsay stopped functioning as a railway station, the building took up many roles before being turned into a museum. During the Second World War, the Orsay station was converted into a dispatch centre to sending parcels to prisoners, and a reception centre for prisoners during the Liberation.
- Orsay had a little help from other museums in the city in building up its collection. The National Museum of Modern Art, Jeu de Paume museum, and the Louvre moved a portion of their artworks to the Orsay Museum when they started running out of space.
- It took the museum curators 6 months to its collection of more than 2,000 art pieces, 600 sculptures and historic artefacts on display.
What to See at the Orsay Museum?
Musée d’Orsay has on display an extensive, impressive collection of 19th and 20th Century works comprising perhaps one of the best collections of Impressionist art in all of Europe. Here are the top pieces you should keep your eyes peeled for.
Starry Night Over the Rhône, Van Gogh
Perhaps one of the most well-known pieces of modern art is Van Gogh’s Starry Night. It was painted on the bank of Rhone, depicting Arles at night. Featuring oils on canvas, the painting uses rich shades of blue, bright yellow stars offering light and showing two lovers in the foreground.
Small Dancer Aged 14, Edgar Degas
Degas, a prominent artist from the era of Realism, drew inspiration from Marie, a Paris Opera dancer, to create the Small Dancer Aged 14 sculpture. While the Orsay Museum work is made of bronze, Degas’ original was made of skin-colored wax and was complete with real hair and a tutu. Despite receiving much criticism when it was first displayed to the public, the sculpture is now beloved around the world.
Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Renoir
This 1876 painting by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir is one of the most renowned examples of Impressionist art. Renoir uses vivid colors and imagery to portray the growing cafe culture and bustling life of the Parisian Bourgeoisie, depicting the change Paris went through, from a cramped, small town to a city with open spaces and a lively population.
Poppy Field, Monet
Monet is considered to be one of the most admired artists in art history. Poppy Field is one of his most iconic works and for good reason. The rich colors, predominantly hues of red, green, and yellow, and elaborate depiction of flowers stay in your mind well after you’ve moved on to the next painting. It depicts four characters — art critics believe them to be Monet’s family — strolling through a fully-bloomed poppy field.
Bazille’s Studio, Bazille
Monet and Renoir’s contemporary, Frederick Bazille, was a gifted painter whose legacy was cut short when he died young at only 29. One of his most famed artwork, Bazille’s Studio depicts the interiors of his studio, where one can see the painter himself, along with Zola, Monet, Renoir, and Manet. Bazille’s usage of rich details lends the painting an almost life-like quality and gives the observer a rich insight into his impression of art.
La Liberté, Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most magnificent, world-renowned sculptures in the world. Bartholdi, as the principal artist, sculpted a scale model, almost 3-meters tall, for the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1900. It follows the same simple, yet regal design of the original statue, a challenging feat considering the size limitations Bartholdi had to work with. The result? A fine blend of values shared by the western world.
Other Prominent Artworks at Orsay Museum
Plan Your Visit to Orsay Museum
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM - 6 PM. Last admission at 5 PM.
- On Thursday: 9:30 AM to 9:45 PM. Last admission at 9 PM.
The Orsay Museum is closed on Mondays, 1 May and 25 December.
The best time to visit the Orsay Museum is during low season, between September to November, and between February to April. The best time to visit in a day would be early morning to experience smaller crowds.
The Orsay Museum is located at 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France.
You can take the metro, RER or bus to get to the Orsay Museum.
By Metro: Take line 12 to Solférino station
By RER: Take line C to Musée d'Orsay station
By Bus: Take lines 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87, or 94.
The Orsay Museum has four dedicated entrances for visitors: A, B, C, D. Depending on your ticket type you can access the entrance accordingly.
Primarily, entrances A and C are for individual visitors with pre-booked or priority access tickets.
If you decide to drive down, you can park your park at the Carrousel du Louvre or the Bac Montalembert car park
Parking Spaces for the Disabled
If you are a vistor with disability you will find reserved parking sports at n°1 place Montherlant, n°5 rue de Bellechasse, n°48 rue de Lille, n°77 rue de Lille, n°81 rue de Lille, n°8 rue de Solférino, n°7 rue de Poitiers, n°1 rue de Villersexel, n°13 rue du Bac and n°96 rue de l 'University.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Lockers and cloakrooms
- Wheelchairs for loan
- Strollers for loan
- Lifts and access ramps
- Washrooms
- Baby area
- Lost & Found Service Teams
- Audioguide
The Orsay Museum conducts exhibitions throughout the year. Currently, these are the exhibitions on display:
1. Yves Saint Laurent in Museums
Date: Until 15th May 2022
2. James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), Masterpieces from the Frick Collection, New York
Date: Until 8 May 2022
3. Sophie Calle The Ghosts of Orsay
Date: 15 March 2022 to 12 June 2022
Know More
- Boutique bookstore: The bookstore houses more than five thousand titles on painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, photography, the history of the arts of the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Youth space: Located at the nave of the museum. You will find a selection of books and games on art.
- Souvenir counter: Shop for stationery, jewelry, and textiles that celebrate some of the most iconic works of the museum.
- Enjoy a gourmet meal at the Restaurant du Musée d'Orsay while enjoying the frescoes by Gabriel Ferrier and Benjamin Constant that line its ceilings.
- Relish a summer menu while you are transported to the dreamy-aquatic universe of the Campana brothers at Café Campana.
Timings:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:30 AM to 5 PM
- Luxury: J.K. Place Paris, Le Meurice – Dorchester Collection
- Mid-range: Hotel d'Orsay - Esprit de France, Hôtel de La Tamise - Esprit de France, Hotel Da Vinci
- Budget: Hotel Harvey
Frequently Askes Questions About Orsay Museum Tickets
A. Orsay Museum tickets are available online. You can purchase them here.
A. Yes, Orsay Museum tickets are available online. In fact, you must book your Orsay tickets online as they now accept only digital reservations.
A. To ensure the safety of its visitors, the Orsay Museum now accepts only online reservations. Several safety measures and guidelines have also been enforced to ensure the safety of its visitors.
A. In light of COVID-19, multiple health and safety measures have been enforced. The Orsay Museum now accepts only online reservations. It is mandatory that visitors wear masks that cover their nose and face throughout their entire visit; hand sanitizing gels are available for visitors at the entrance. Group reservations for guided and unguided tours must be made at least a month in advance either online or via post.
A. Depending on the type of experience you would want, you can choose between a standard entry ticket, or a guided tour, which would allow you explore the museum along with and English-speaking expert guide. Or, you can opt for a combo tour, which would allow you to explore two important Paris attractions.
A. Yes, unguided and guided tours of the Orsay Museum are available. However, bookings should be made at least a month in advance either online or via post. Group tours are permitted from 09:15 AM to 03:45 PM between Tuesday to Saturday.
A. The best way to buy Orsay Museum tickets is to buy the online. This allows you to take advantage of discounts, book tickets in advance and even avoid crowds.
A. Yes, you can purchase Orsay Museum tickets online. However, it is recommended that you book your tickets in advance so that you can avoid long lines and enjoy priority access.
A. Those less than 18 years of age and EU citizens aged 25 and under, students of art history, differently-abled people and their accompanying person, holders of Pass Éducation cards, ICOM cards, Culture Passes, as well as members of the press, tour guides, and lecturers enjoy free entry to Orsay Museum. Entry to Orsay Museum is also free on the first Sunday of every month.
A. It depends on the Orsay Museum ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 48-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
A. If you are traveling on a budget it would best to opt for the standard entry tickets that allow you access to the Orsay Museum. You can explore the museum at your own pace. You can rent their audio guide for an even more fruitful experience.
A. Opt for a guided tour of the Orsay Museum ticket to get an more in-depth understanding of the museum and its collection. However, if you prefer to travel by yourself, you can choose the audio-guide variant of the ticket. Audio guides are available in 14 languages so you can explore Orsay at your own pace.
A. Opt for a combo tour as it allows you to explore one other iconic Paris attraction such as the Eiffel Tower or the Orangerie Museum for an extremely pocket-friendly rate.
A. Orsay Museum opening hours post-COVID-19 are 09:30 AM to 06:00 PM from Tuesday to Sunday (final entry at 05:15 PM). On Thursdays, visits are permitted until 09:45 PM. The museum is closed on Mondays, 1 May and 25 December.