Musée d'Orsay Tickets 2026: Paris Museum Pass & Entry Guide
Discover how to book Musée d'Orsay tickets in 2026. Get updates on the Paris Museum Pass reservation rules, ticket prices, and tips for a seamless visit.
Loading...
Discover how to book Musée d'Orsay tickets in 2026. Get updates on the Paris Museum Pass reservation rules, ticket prices, and tips for a seamless visit.
Paris Musée d'Orsay: Booking & Admission Guide
Must-See Masterpieces, Best Routes, and Museum Pass Tips
When traveling to Paris, alongside the Louvre Museum,
the Musée d'Orsay is an absolute must-visit!
It's much less crowded than the Louvre,
and maybe because I'm more drawn to the individual paintings here,
I actually enjoyed it so much more than the Louvre!
Today, I'm sharing how to book tickets for the Musée d'Orsay,
plus tips on using the Museum Pass and the best routes to see the main masterpieces.
Admission Fees
Ticket Type | Price | Booking Link |
Paris Museum Pass *Reservation Required | Based on 4-day pass ~$115+ | |
General Admission Ticket *No Booking Required | ~$17 |
Admission is free for Paris Museum Pass holders,
while general admission tickets are €16 (about ~$18) on the official website.
Prices on travel booking platforms vary,
but WAUG is the cheapest at ~$17
when you apply a discount coupon.
Since it's an open ticket with no specific timeslot, no reservation is required!
How to Book
BILLETS D'ENTREE AU MUSEE D'ORSAY : Billet, place, pass & programmation | Expo
You can make your reservation on the official website.
Previously, Paris Museum Pass holders could enter
via the fast-track lane without a reservation,
but due to major renovations starting March 10, 2026,
reservations are now strictly mandatory for Museum Pass holders.
The renovation is scheduled until summer 2028,
but as we know, construction in Europe can always be extended... haha.
Select the ticket option that fits your situation—
whether you're buying a general admission ticket on the official site
or if you already have a Museum Pass—
and then choose your desired date and timeslot.
It's a super popular spot, so slots sell out fast.
I highly recommend booking as early as possible!
For Museum Pass holders, it will show as €0
at checkout, just like in the photo on the right.
How to Enter
Back when the Museum Pass fast-track was active, you would queue at Line C,
but the lines have changed due to the current renovations.
Reserved Line: Entrance 1 - Quay
(Visitors with a Paris Museum Pass
with a timed ticket)
No Reservation / Walk-up Line: Parvis du musée – 2
(Visitor with ticket without timeslot)
Both Museum Pass reservation holders and general ticket holders
should head straight to Entrance 1.
Key Artworks & Recommended Route
💡The famous works by Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet that we all know
are actually all on the 5th floor. So, I highly recommend heading straight to the 5th floor first
and working your way down!
Floor | Major Works |
5th Floor | ▶️Claude Monet - Woman with a Parasol, Blue Water Lilies, Rouen Cathedral Series, Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (Luncheon on the Grass) ▶️Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait, Starry Night Over the Rhône, The Bedroom in Arles ▶️Pierre-Auguste Renoir - Bal du moulin de la Galette ▶️Paul Gauguin - Tahitian Women on the Beach ▶️Édouard Manet - Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (Luncheon on the Grass) ▶️Edgar Degas - The Ballet Class |
2nd Floor | ▶️Auguste Rodin - The Gates of Hell |
Ground Floor | ▶️Jean-François Millet - The Gleaners, The Angelus ▶️Édouard Manet - The Fifer, Olympia |
Each floor has very clear signs pointing you to the right galleries,
so you won't have to worry about getting lost or confused!
There are so many masterpieces to see here, and you'll easily need at least 3 hours.
If you want to dive deep and hear the fascinating stories behind the main highlights,
I highly recommend booking a guided tour!
View Musee d'Orsay Guided Tours
Before you head up to the 5th floor to admire the art,
make sure to snap a photo at the iconic Clock Tower photo zone!
The line might look long, but it moves super fast!
There is another clock inside the restaurant area,
but since the line at the main Clock Tower moves so quickly, you don't really need to go out of your way to use that one.
<Claude Monet - Woman with a Parasol>
One of the pieces where you can truly feel Monet's signature brushstrokes and style.
It feels incredibly warm yet full of life,
and the pastel color palette is absolutely stunning.
Out of all of Monet's works, this is my absolute favorite!
<Claude Monet - Blue Water Lilies / Rouen Cathedral Series>
<Claude Monet - Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (Luncheon on the Grass)>
Inspired by Édouard Manet's painting of the same name,
Monet painted this massive masterpiece back when he was in his 20s.
It was originally a colossal canvas measuring over 6 meters (around 20 feet) wide.
Monet actually left it with his landlord as collateral for overdue rent,
but due to poor storage conditions, parts of the painting sadly rotted away.
In the end, only the undamaged sections were salvaged,
and today it is exhibited in two separate fragments.
<Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait>
This was painted while Van Gogh was staying at the psychiatric asylum in Saint-Rémy,
as he was recovering his composure after a severe mental breakdown.
He painted so many self-portraits throughout his life, but every time I see one,
it reminds me of his tragic and painful life, leaving me with a heavy heart.
<Vincent van Gogh - Starry Night Over the Rhône>
A masterpiece capturing the night sky he witnessed in Arles, in the South of France.
The way the warm golden lights reflect off the dark water is absolutely mesmerizing.
<Vincent van Gogh - The Bedroom in Arles>
This painting depicts the bedroom where Van Gogh stayed during his time in Arles.
What makes this piece so famous is how he intentionally skewed the perspective,
giving the space a slightly unstable and restless feel.
Because of this, the bed and chairs look slightly warped,
and the walls and floor have a subtle tilt to them.
<Pierre-Auguste Renoir - Bal du moulin de la Galette>
A lively depiction of an outdoor Sunday afternoon dance in Montmartre.
The genius of this painting is that despite being packed with so many people, it never
feels chaotic or cluttered—instead, it's just pure, joyful energy.
<Édouard Manet - Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe (Luncheon on the Grass)>
Famously known as one of the most scandalous works in art history.
Instead of painting an idealized mythological goddess, he depicted a real, nude woman sitting alongside contemporary men in suits—a choice that absolutely scandalized Parisian society at the time!
<Edgar Degas - The Ballet Class>
Degas was fascinated by what happened behind the scenes, capturing the practice rooms and preparation process far more than the actual stage performances.
If you follow the gaze of the instructor in the center (holding the cane) and the young dancers, the painting takes on a whole new, multi-dimensional depth.
<Auguste Rodin - The Gates of Hell>
This sculpture is so massive that it grabs your attention the moment you reach the second floor.
One of the highlights is spotting "The Thinker" perched right in the center of the gates!
<Jean-François Millet - The Gleaners>
Millet is famous for his powerful, respectful depictions of peasant life and hard labor.
Unfortunately, The Angelus was away on loan at another exhibition, so I missed out on seeing it this time.
<Édouard Manet - The Fifer>
Manet had this incredible style where he stripped away the complex backgrounds and dramatic narratives common in paintings of that era, letting the pure presence of the subject command the space. This masterpiece is often cited as the perfect example of that.
<Édouard Manet - Olympia>
After wrapping up with Olympia, I realized I'd spent about 3 hours in the museum.
Even though I was moving at a relatively brisk pace, it still took quite a bit of time! If you're someone who likes to slowly soak in every detail of each artwork, you should probably budget at least 4 hours.
🔗 Complete Guide to the Paris Museum Pass
Paris Museum Pass E-Ticket: Included Attractions, 2-Day vs. 4-Day Options, and Price Breakdown
Yes, due to large-scale renovations that began on March 10, 2026, advance reservations on the official website are now mandatory even for Museum Pass holders. After making a reservation, you can use the queue at Entrance 1.
The general admission ticket is 16 euros on the official website. You can purchase it at a lower price of ~$17 by applying a discount coupon on the travel platform WAUG.
As the major works of Van Gogh and Monet are all exhibited on the 5th floor, it is recommended to go straight up to the 5th floor first and then work your way down. It is also a good idea to visit the clock tower photo zone before viewing the 5th floor.
There are so many artworks that even a quick tour will take at least 3 hours. If you prefer to view the artworks slowly, you should plan for at least 4 hours.
Discover more travel stories curated around the same theme.
Explore the artistic charm of Montmartre, Paris. Discover the romantic Wall of Love, the majestic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, and the best panoramic views in the city.
Maximize your Paris art tour! Here is how to easily book Musee de l'Orangerie and Orsay Museum tickets, skip the lines, and enjoy Monet's masterpieces.
A real simple structure
Planning to visit the stunning Palais Garnier in Paris? Here is how to book tickets, avoid crowds, and see the real-life Phantom of the Opera setting.
Planning to visit Notre-Dame de Paris in 2026? Learn how to book free interior tickets, secure tower passes, and skip the massive lines with our expert tips.
Unlock the secrets of visiting the Louvre Museum! Learn how to book tickets, use the Paris Museum Pass, find the best entry times, and follow a perfect route to see all the must-see masterpieces.