Plan around the Musée d’Orsay’s opening hours, ticket type and entrance: timed-ticket visitors enter at Entrance 1 on the quay, while untimed-ticket and no-ticket visitors use Entrance 2 on the forecourt. Before you leave, check the museum’s current ticketing information, renovation notice and map, since admission details and which rooms are accessible can change.
1. Check the opening day and hours before you go
The Musée d’Orsay is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with a late opening until 9:45 p.m. on Thursday. It is closed every Monday, as well as May 1 and December 25. The museum’s official visit page lists last admission at 5:00 p.m. for the museum and 5:15 p.m. for exhibitions; galleries begin closing at 5:30 p.m. On Thursdays, last entry is 9:00 p.m. and galleries begin closing at 9:15 p.m. Check the page on your visit date for any changes.
2. Confirm which ticket you need
At the time the official English visit page was checked on October 7, 2026, full admission was listed at €16 online and €14 at the museum. These are displayed prices, not a guarantee of the price on your visit date. Reduced, free and evening rates have separate eligibility conditions. The museum’s official ticketing page recommends booking online and explains reservation requirements, including for free first-Sunday admission. Paris Museum Pass holders and holders of tickets from official resellers need a timed reservation. Check what proof of eligibility is required before travelling.
Ticket access to temporary exhibitions is subject to availability and the conditions shown during booking. The same ticketing page listed Mary Cassatt: Being independent (October 6, 2026–January 31, 2027) and Bartholdi: Liberty Enlightening the World (September 15, 2026–January 31, 2027) when checked on October 7, 2026; these are date-specific listings, not a standing exhibition schedule.
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3. Go to the entrance that matches your ticket
Check your ticket and follow the museum’s entrance guidance rather than joining the first line you see:
- Entrance 1 – Quay: visitors with timed tickets.
- Entrance 2 – Forecourt: visitors with untimed tickets or no ticket, and visitors who qualify for priority access.
Priority access is for specified categories, including pregnant visitors and visitors with qualifying disability or priority cards and their companion, as well as certain membership categories. Consult the official visit page to confirm whether you qualify and to check for current entrance or renovation notices.
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4. Check the renovation information and map
The museum says major renovation work is under way and that some works are not currently on display. Its downloadable guide map marks rooms closed for renovation. Check the visit page and current map shortly before you go so you can plan around closures instead of expecting to see every work or room.
5. Leave room for security checks
The museum applies government security measures under the Vigipirate plan and warns that entrance checks can cause delays. Allow time for screening, but do not plan around an assumed queue length: the museum does not publish a reliable average. Keep your belongings with you. The museum warns that an abandoned object may prompt an evacuation and police action. Inside, speak softly, respect the artworks and spaces, and follow staff directions in an incident, as set out in its visiting conditions.
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The museum lists Métro 12 (Solférino) and RER C (Musée d’Orsay) among nearby public-transport options. Buses 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87 and 94 also serve the area; the listed Vélib’ station is 7007. Check current routes and service on your travel date using the museum’s directions and your transport operator.
7. Use the map or audio guide to shape your visit
Download the guide map in a language you can comfortably use and check its room-closure markings before settling on a route. If you want more interpretation than the map provides, the museum’s ticketing page lists a permanent-collection audio guide with commentary on more than 300 works and a selection of languages, including English. A separate child audio guide is listed for ages 6–12 in English and French. Availability, language options and any fee are shown by the museum when booking; check the current audio-guide information.
8. Follow the photography rules
Private photography and video are permitted if they do not compromise the artworks, obstruct visitor traffic or disturb other visitors; flash must be disabled. Some works, particularly in temporary exhibitions, may have their own photography restrictions, indicated on the work label. Tripods, supports and lighting equipment must be left in the cloakroom. Collective or commercial photography requires prior authorization. See the museum’s visiting conditions for the full rules.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.9. Check cafés and other visitor services
The museum lists a restaurant and cafés, including Café Campana on the fifth floor near the exit of the Impressionist gallery and Café de la Gare beneath the nave. A terrace is described as seasonal, so do not assume it will be open on a particular date. The visit page also lists services such as free public Wi-Fi, a cloakroom, equipment loan, elevators, restrooms, a baby area and water fountains. Check the current visitor-services information for availability during your visit.
10. Check accessibility arrangements in advance
The official visit page links to the museum’s accessibility information and lists elevators and equipment loan among its services. If you have a specific access requirement, consult the museum’s current accessibility guidance directly before travelling, rather than assuming a listed service covers your needs or is available in every area.
11. Treat the bookshop as an optional stop
The museum book and gift shop sells art books and catalogues among more than 5,000 titles, with a focus on art from 1848–1914, according to its official shop page. If you would like to continue exploring after your visit, a museum guidebook or art book is a practical option; it is not necessary for planning your entry or route.
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