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Everything you need to know about visiting the Orsay Museum

Visitor information at a glance

Tourists viewing paintings at Orsay Museum, Paris with fast-track tickets and temporary exhibition access.

Opening hours

The Orsay Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30am to 6pm. On Thursdays, the museum is open till 9:45pm.

View from Orsay Museum terrace overlooking Paris cityscape and Seine River.

Location

Orsay Museum is located at 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France. Get directions.

Orsay Museum entrance with visitors in Paris, France.

Entrances

There are four gates to enter Orsay Museum: Entrances A, B, C, and D.

Visitors exploring art at Orsay Museum, Paris, during a guided tour focused on Impressionist masterpieces.

Annual footfall

Orsay Museum hosts approximately 3.7 million annually.

Orsay Museum opening hours

Woman observing painting at Orsay Museum, Paris, France.
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30am to 6pm
    Last entry: 5pm
    Last access to exhibitions: 5:15pm
    Closing of rooms: From 5:30pm
  • On Thursday: 9:30am to 9:45pm
    Last entry: 9pm
    Closing of rooms: From 9:15pm
  • Closed: The Orsay Museum is closed every Monday. It is also closed on May 1 and December 25 every year.
More about best times to visit

What's the best time to visit Orsay Museum?

Orsay Museum features in the list of popular museums in the world and attracts millions of visitors each year; therefore, the museum is usually crowded. However, if you plan your visit and choose the best-suited hours, you will beat the crowd on your way to some of the greatest works of art.

  • The best time to visit the Orsay Museum is during early mornings from 9:30am - 12pm and on weekdays to explore at your own pace.
  • Visit during the low season (November to March) to experience the museum with lesser crowds.
  • Avoid peak summer months (June to August) when tourist crowds are at their highest. 
  • Consider visiting from April to May for lesser crowds than those in summer and pleasant weather to explore landmarks near the Orsay Museum.

Where is the Orsay Museum located?

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

​Find On Map

The Orsay Museum is located on the left bank of the Seine, in the 7th arrondissement. It is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. It's located a stone's throw away from many important landmarks, including the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe.

Closest Landmark: Louvre Museum(1.1 km)

Getting to Orsay Museum in Paris

Orsay Museum by Train

Metro: Board line 12 of the metro from the Notre-Dame-de-Lorette station. Alight at Solférino, which is about 250 meters (3-minute walk) away from Orsay.

RER: Line C starts at Pontoise. Alight at the Orsay Museum station, which is about 160 meters (a 2-minute walk) away from the Orsay Museum.

Orsay Museum by Bus

Bus 73 to Orsay Museum (1-minute walk), 63 to Solferino (3-minute walk), or 68 to Pont Royal - Quai Voltaire (4-minute walk). Lines 69, 83, 84, and 94 will take you to Solferino - Bellechasse (4-minute walk), while line 87 will take you to Henry de Montherlant (2-minute walk).

Orsay Museum by car

If you are driving to the Orsay Museum from Arc de Triomphe the fastest route is via Av. Marceau and Voie Georges Pompidou. If taking a taxi, you will find drop-off and pick-up at Quai Anatole-France.

Orsay Museum Parking

Carrousel du Louvre: This car park can be accessed via Avenue du Général Lemonnier 75001 Paris.
Bac Montalembert: The car park is located at 9 Rue de Montalembert 75007 Paris.

Reserved parking spaces for disabled visitors include two spots in front of1 Pl. Henry de Montherlant, one spot at5 Rue de Bellechasse, one spot at48 Rue de Lille, and one spot in front of77 Rue de Lille.

Entrances at the Orsay Museum

The Orsay Museum has 4 entrances, marked A, B, C, and D.

  • Entrance A:  Visitors buying tickets at the venue.

  • Entrance B:  Adult groups with tickets.

  • Entrance C:  Visitors with purchased tickets, AFMO members, pass holders, and visitors with disabilities.

  • Entrance D:  Student groups with tickets.

Skipping the lines to enter Orsay Museum

Visitors exploring art exhibits inside the Orsay Museum, Paris, during a guided tour.

Pre-book your entrance tickets

You can book your tickets to the Orsay Museum a few days, or even a few hours, in advance and you will receive your tickets via email. You can then display the tickets at the meeting point on your mobile device and enter the museum complex.

Orsay Museum

Opt for a guided tour of the museum

This is one of the popular Orsay Museum tours among visitors who prefer to skip the hassle of standing in a queue to redeem the tickets. A guided tour ensures priority access where you can jump the long queue along with your expert guide and head straight to the security check.

People in front of The Luncheon on the Grass painting by Édouard Manet

Get a Paris Museum Pass

If you hold a Paris Museum Pass, you can enter most of the important museums and monuments in and around Paris for free including Orsay Museum, and skip the line without hassles to enter the museum. However, security checks are mandatory.

Know before you visit the Orsay Museum

Visitors viewing Impressionist art at Musée d’Orsay, Paris, with gourmet lunch experience.
  • Restaurant: Located at the heart of the museum, the Restaurant serves seasonal, gourmet, and refined French dishes.
    Timings: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:45 am to 2:35pm; Thursday from 11:45am to 2:35pm and from 7pm to 9:30pm. Tea time: Tuesday to Sunday from 2:45pm to 5:30pm
  • Café Campana: Located at the exit of the Impressionist Gallery, the cafe serves quick summer dishes like salads, stews, and sundaes. View theirmenuonline.
    Timings: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 am to 4:45 pm; Thursday until 8:45 pm
Orsay Museum Hotel
Orsay Museum shop
  • Bookshop: Find books, and catalogs on works of art, history of arts, and even jewellery, inspired by the major artists of the period, and the temporary exhibitions. Located at the entrance to the museum, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 6:30pm, and on Thursdays until 9:15pm.
  • Souvenir counter: Located on the 5th floor, at the entrance to the Impressionist Gallery you will find souvenirs related to the iconic works of the museum.
Orsay Museum Accessibility
  • The museum has lifts and access ramps for guests with reduced mobility.
  • Guests with disability and the person accompanying them enjoy free entry without reservation and with proof. 
  • Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed inside the museum.
Orsay Museum Additional information
  • Baggage lockersare available at the museum, free of charge.
  • Bulky prams and baby carriers are not permitted, but strollers are available in the cloakroom. 
  • Wheelchairs can be borrowed from the cloakroom.

Frequently asked questions about planning your visit to Orsay Museum

What are the museum’s operating hours?

Orsay Museum opens at 9:30am and closes at 6pm. On Thursdays, it closes at 9:45pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.

When is the last entry to the museum?

On Thursdays, the Orsay Museum is open till 9:45pm, and the last entry is at 9pm.

How long does it take to see the Orsay Museum?

It depends on the visitor and their interest, but on average, visitors spend between 2 to 5 hours at the Orsay Museum.

Is it possible to see the entire Orsay Museum collection in a day?

Yes, it is possible to explore the Orsay Museum over a day. But if you plan and decide which highlights you want to catch, you can explore the museum in half a day.

Where are the best pieces of the Orsay Museum?

The top level is the most popular level in the Orsay Museum as it houses the most famous masterpieces.

Are pets allowed inside Orsay Museum?

No, only service dogs are allowed inside the Orsay Museum.