- Enjoy dedicated access tickets to the Orsay Museum and admire some of the best works of art from the 19th century.
- Delve into the celebrated Impressionist and Post-Impressionist era and take in the works of Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Paul Cezanne, Frederic Bazille, and more.
- Head to the open-air terrace on the top floor of the Orsay Museum to catch stunning views of the Seine river and Paris, as far as Montmartre.
- Did you know that The Musée d’Orsay is one of the most-visited museums in Paris, typically receiving more than three million visitors annually?
- Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent van Gogh
- Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe by Édouard Manet
- Luncheon on the Grass by Édouard Manet
- Van Gogh self-portrait by Vincent van Gogh
- The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet
- Whistler's Mother by James Abbott McNeill Whistler
- L'Origine du Monde by Gustave Courbet
- The Artist’s Studio by Gustave Courbet
- Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Visitors can get free entry on presenting proof of any of the following:
- If you are less than 18 years old.
- EU citizens aged 25 and under.
- Students of art history, differently-abled people (the accompanying person gets free entry too), and job seekers.
- Holders of Pass Éducation cards, ICOM cards, Culture Passes, as well as members of the press, tour guides, and lecturers.
- Please note that entry is free on the first Sunday of every month.
- This ticket cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.
- Visit one of the most iconic museums in Paris, the Orangerie Museum.
- Peruse the extensive collection of 20th-century art, housing groundbreaking artwork of other artists, such as Picasso, Matisse, Cézanne, and many more.
- This museum houses the eight Water Lilies murals, one of Claude Monet's most famous works.
- Walk through "the room for peaceful meditation amidst the flowering aquarium" at your own pace.
- Venture to other parts of the museum to bask in the temporary exhibitions by other artists.
- Water Lilies by Claude Monet
- The Water Lilies — The Clouds by Claude Monet
- The Water Lilies - Setting Sun by Claude Monet
- Paul Guillaume by Amedeo Modigliani
- The Young Apprentice by Amedeo Modigliani
- The Clown by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Gabrielle and Jean by Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Portrait of Madame Cézanne by Paul Cézanne
- Until January 10, 2022: Chaïm Soutine / Willem de Kooning, painting embodied
- Until January 1, 2022: Paul Guillaume's violin by Ingres
- From October 13, 2021 to February 14, 2022: David Hockney. A Year in Normandy
- From March 2, 2022 to 11 July, 2022: At the source of the Water Lilies: the impressionists and decoration
- Children aged 0-18, as well as EU citizens aged 26 and under can enter for free. (carry valid ID).
- Guests who enter for free must obligatorily book a timeslot as a limited number of people are allowed into the museum at once.
- Please note that entry is free on the first Sunday of every month.
- This ticket cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled.
Orsay Museum Reopens Post-COVID-19
Following a closure due to the ongoing pandemic, the Orsay Museum reopened its doors to the public on May 19, 2021. This move comes with various health and hygiene measures that have been enforced for public safety.
Visiting Conditions at the Orsay Museum
Here’s everything you need to know before your visit:
- The Orsay Museum now accepts only time slots reserved online, to limit the visitor capacity each day. Please book your tickets online and in advance. No individual will be permitted in without a reserved time stamp.
- All individuals above the age of 11 are required to wear a mask that completely covers their nose and mouth.
- Hand sanitizer gels are available at the entrance for public use
- All visitors are required to maintain more than a minimum distance of 1 meter with others at the museum
- Lockers and cloakrooms will be available only to store objects that are not permitted inside the museum
- While guided and unguided tours are permitted, there are a couple of things to keep in mind: no groups will be allowed in without a prior reservation online or via post and bookings should be made at least a month in advance for larger numbers. Groups will also be allowed in between Tuesday to Saturday, from 09:15 AM to 03:45 PM.
Orsay Museum Tickets
The Orsay Museum -- also known as Musée d’Orsay -- hosts one of the finest collections of art in the world. Fun fact, the landmark was not constructed with the intention of being one; in fact, it was only in 1986 when it was restored, renovated and converted into an art museum.
As early as the year 1900, the Orsay Museum was initially designed and constructed as a train station to accommodate visitors attending the World’s Fair. After a short while with the advent of technology, the station could no longer accommodate new-age trains and it was shut down by 1940. After a brief period of use during the 2nd World War, it was only in the 70s when a movement began to restore the glorious structure. Finally, in 1986, it was restored with some modernization and the Orsay Museum was born.
The Musée d’Orsay is home to rare pieces of art from the 19th and 20th Centuries, particularly those from the age of Impressionism and Realism, in the form of not just paintings but sculptures, photography, graphics and more. Book your Orsay Museum tickets to discover a universe of creativity.
Your Orsay Museum Tickets Options
Standard Access
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 popular exhibits. Guests can also go to the top floor with this ticket and get splendid panoramic views of Paris.
Combo Tour
Visit two popular museums in Paris with one ticket: the Orsay Museum and Orangerie Museum. With this ticket, you not only get access to two museums, but you also get skip-the-line access, allowing you to bypass the long waiting lines and go straight ahead to the entrance.
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, Van Gogh
Perhaps one of the most well-known pieces of modern art is Van Gogh’s Starry Night. According to history, Van Gogh was inspired by a particularly star-filled sky one night in Arles. Featuring oils on canvas, the painting uses rich shades of blue in various swirl forms seemingly surrounding a glowing crescent moon and various stars. This sky is portrayed above a small village, depicted with a church, small homes and a few tall trees.
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 piece is one of the most renowned examples of Impressionist art. In this intricately-detailed piece, Renoir uses vivid colors and imagery to portray the growing cafe culture and bustling life of the Parisian Bourgeoisie -- showing the change Paris went through, from a cramped, small town to a city with open spaces and a lively population. The characters in this painting are dressed in fashion-forward outfits and depicted to be enjoying their day while drinking and dancing.
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 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.
Plan Your Visit
Orsay Museum is open from 09:30 AM to 06:00 PM from Tuesday to Sunday; on Thursdays, the museum is open till late night and closes at 09:45 PM. Know more about Musée d’Orsay hours.
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.
You can take the metro, RER or bus to get to the Orsay Museum. The most convenient option would be the metro or RER.
Yes. Get on Line 12 and alight at Solférino metro station. From here, Orsay Museum is at a less than 5-minute walking distance.
The Orsay Museum is located at 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France.
Google Map Directions.
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.
Orsay Museum Tickets FAQs
Q. Is it safe to visit the Orsay Museum post-COVID-19?
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.
Q. What are the safety measures and guidelines in place at the Orsay Museum?
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.
Q. Are Orsay Museum tickets available online now?
A. Yes. You can book your Orsay Museum tickets online as they now accept only digital reservations.
Q. What is the cancelation policy for Orsay Museum tickets?
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.
Q. Are guided tours of the Orsay Museum available post-COVID-19?
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.
Q. What are Orsay Museum opening hours post-COVID-19?
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.