How to Visit the Musée d’Orsay: Impressionism in Paris

1. Understanding Ticket Types & Prices

Choosing the right ticket can save you time and money.

• Standard Admission Ticket:
  • Price: Generally €16 if purchased online, or €14 if purchased at the museum (though buying at the museum often means longer queues).
  • What it includes: Access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions (subject to availability).
  • Best for: Most visitors who only want to visit Musée d’Orsay.
• Combined Tickets (Billets Jumelés):
  • Musée d’Orsay – Musée Rodin: Combines entry to both museums. Valid for 3 months from purchase for one entry to each.
  • Musée d’Orsay – Musée des Arts décoratifs: Combines entry to both museums. Valid for 3 months from purchase for one entry to each.
  • Pros: Can offer savings if you plan to visit these other museums.
  • Price: Typically around €26 for the Orsay-Rodin combo.
• Paris Museum Pass:
  • What it is: A multi-attraction pass that grants free, queue-free (or reduced queue) access to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris.
  • Pros: Excellent value if you plan to visit many attractions over a few days. Provides direct access to security queues (bypassing ticket purchase lines).
  • Price: Varies by duration (e.g., 2, 4, or 6 days).
  • Best for: Visitors planning an intensive museum itinerary.
• Free Admission:
  • First Sunday of the Month: Free for all visitors. Online booking of a visit slot is mandatory (except for Paris Museum Pass or Carte Blanche holders). Expect significant crowds.
  • Under 18 years old: Free for all visitors under 18.
  • EU citizens/residents aged 18-25: Free upon presentation of valid ID/proof of residency.
  • Disabled visitors with one accompanying person: Free.

Where to Buy Tickets:

• Online (Highly Recommended!): Purchase your tickets in advance through the official Musée d’Orsay website (www.musee-orsay.fr/en). This is the best way to secure your preferred time slot and significantly reduce waiting in line.
• Third-Party Ticketing Sites: Reputable platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator also offer Musée d’Orsay entry tickets, sometimes bundled with other attractions or guided tours. These can be convenient, but always compare prices with the official site.

2. Best Times to Visit & Avoiding Crowds

Like most major Parisian museums, the Musée d’Orsay can get very busy. Strategic timing is key for a more enjoyable experience.

• Opening Hours:
  • Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Last access to museum at 5:00 PM).
  • Thursday Late Opening: Until 9:45 PM (Last access at 9:00 PM).
  • Closed every Monday, May 1, and December 25.
• Best Times to Visit:
  • Weekdays (Wednesday or Friday): These days tend to be less crowded than Tuesdays (when the Louvre is closed) or weekends.
  • Early Morning: Arrive 15-30 minutes before opening (9:30 AM) to be among the first in.
  • Late Afternoon: After 4:00 PM, crowds often start to thin out.
  • Thursday Evenings (after 6:00 PM): This is often a great option, as the museum stays open late, and crowds can be lighter than during regular daytime hours. The “late opening rate” ticket of €12 (online) is also cheaper.
• Avoiding Queues & Security:
  • Pre-purchased timed-entry tickets: This is the most effective way to bypass the ticket purchase lines. You will still need to go through a security checkpoint (Queue A2 for timed tickets), which can have its own line, but it moves much faster than the ticket queue.
  • Bag Policy: The museum does not permit large bags, backpacks, or suitcases inside the galleries (typically bags larger than 55cm x 35cm x 20cm). These must be left in the free cloakroom near the entrance. This can also lead to queues, especially at peak times. Pack light!
  • Security Check: All visitors and bags must pass through security screening. Be prepared to open your bags for inspection. Prohibited items include food, beverages, umbrellas (unless small and collapsible in your bag), tripods, and selfie sticks.

3. World-Class Impressionist & Post-Impressionist Collections

Musée d’Orsay is a treasure trove of art from 1848 to 1914. Its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces are primarily located on the fifth (top) floor.

Must-See Works (Highlights):

• Impressionism:
  • Claude Monet: “Water Lilies” (series), “Poppies,” “Impression, Sunrise” (though the most famous version is not here, you can see others), “The Gare Saint-Lazare,” “Cathedrals (Rouen Cathedral).”
  • Pierre-Auguste Renoir: “Bal du moulin de la Galette” (Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette), “Girls at the Piano.”
  • Edgar Degas: “The Dance Class,” “Little Dancer of Fourteen Years” (sculpture), “In a Café (The Absinthe Drinker),” “The Tub.”
  • Édouard Manet: “Olympia,” “Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe” (Luncheon on the Grass).
  • Gustave Caillebotte: “The Floor Scrapers,” “Paris Street; Rainy Day.”
• Post-Impressionism:
  • Vincent van Gogh: “Self-Portrait,” “Starry Night Over the Rhône,” “The Church at Auvers,” “The Bedroom in Arles.”
  • Paul Cézanne: “Apples and Oranges,” “The Card Players.”
  • Paul Gauguin: “Tahitian Women on the Beach,” “The White Horse.”
  • Georges Seurat: “The Circus.”

4. Suggested 1-2 Hour Walking Route (Focus on Impressionists)

This route prioritizes efficiency to see the Impressionist highlights.

1. Arrive & Security: Enter the museum and go through security. If you have a large bag, check it at the cloakroom (factor in time).
2. Head Straight to the 5th Floor (Impressionist Gallery): Use the escalators or elevators immediately upon entry to go directly to the top floor. This is where the majority of the famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works are displayed.
3. Explore the 5th Floor: Spend the bulk of your time here.
   • Start with the large gallery featuring Manet and Monet (including some “Water Lilies” and train station series).
   • Move to the galleries with Renoir’s “Bal du moulin de la Galette” and Degas’s dancers and bathers.
   • Continue to the Post-Impressionist section for Van Gogh’s compelling works, Cézanne’s still lifes, and Gauguin’s vibrant paintings.
   • Don’t miss the giant clock window on the 5th floor for an iconic photo opportunity with a view of the Seine and the Louvre.
4. Brief Visit to Middle/Ground Floors (Optional, if time):
   • If you have time, briefly explore the ground floor (Nave) for larger sculptures and academic works, or the middle levels for Realism, Symbolism, and decorative arts.
   • Highlight on Ground Floor: Rodin’s “Gates of Hell” (visible from the main hall).
5. Exit: Allow time for retrieving bags from the cloakroom if applicable.

5. Nearby Cafés & Seine-Side Spots to Relax

After immersing yourself in art, relax and soak in the Parisian atmosphere.

• Inside the Museum:
  • Café Campana (5th Floor): Located just outside the Impressionist Gallery, offering quick-serve dishes and a unique design by the Campana brothers, with a striking view through the large clock window.
  • Le Restaurant (2nd Floor): More formal French dining with a historic ambiance.
  • Café de la Gare (Ground Floor): A self-service cafe under the nave.
• Outside the Museum:
  • Along the Seine Quays: Grab a baguette and cheese from a local bakery and enjoy a picnic on the riverbanks directly in front of the museum. The views of the Tuileries Gardens and the Louvre across the Seine are fantastic.
  • Café des Musées (nearby): A traditional Parisian bistro offering classic French fare, a short walk from Orsay.
  • Le Relais de l’Entrecôte (nearby): Famous for its single-item menu (steak frites with secret sauce) and consistent quality. A Parisian institution.
  • Les Antiquaires (nearby): A charming, classic French bistro with a lively atmosphere.
  • Brasserie Le Bourbon: A traditional brasserie offering French cuisine, a short walk from the museum.

Affiliate CTAs for Guided Tours or Priority Entry

• Official Musée d’Orsay Timed-Entry Tickets:
  • Purchase your tickets directly from the official Musée d’Orsay website for the best prices and guaranteed entry slots.
• Guided Tours & Priority Access:
  • Enhance your visit with a guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay on GetYourGuide, often including priority access.
  • Explore various Musée d’Orsay tour options and skip-the-line tickets on Viator.

Enjoy your journey through the vibrant world of Impressionism at the Musée d’Orsay!