Musée d'Orsay Small Group Guided Tour, Skip the Line

KTLY427886

Musée d'Orsay Small Group Guided Tour, Skip the Line, photo 3

Musée d'Orsay Small Group Guided Tour, Skip the Line, photo 4

Paris, France

Non-refundable

This ticket cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable

About this tour

Spend a couple of hours inside the Musée d'Orsay on a small-group tour led by a certified guide, with skip-the-line entry and no more than six people along. The galleries hold the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, so you'll stand in front of Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône, Monet's Water Lilies, Renoir's Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, and Degas's ballet dancers. The museum itself was built as a railway station for the 1900 World's Fair, and the giant clock windows frame a sweeping view over the Seine.

Highlights

See the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, the heart of the Musée d'Orsay.
Stand in front of Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône and Self-Portrait, Monet's Water Lilies, and Renoir's Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette.
Take in Degas's ballet dancers, Manet's groundbreaking canvases, and Cézanne's influential still lifes and landscapes.
Walk through a Beaux-Arts hall that started life as a railway station for the 1900 World's Fair.
Look out over the Seine through the museum's huge glass clock faces.
Trade the crowds of the Louvre for a more focused, manageable art experience.
The great gilded clock on the upper level is one of the city's most photographed spots, with views toward Montmartre through its glass face.
The collection picks up where the Louvre leaves off, covering Western art from roughly 1848 to 1914.
Beyond painting, the galleries hold sculpture, photography, decorative arts, and architecture from the same decades.

Places You Will Visit

Open map

Musée d'Orsay Paris, France 6 tours & tickets

Included / Excluded

Admission to the Musée d'Orsay
Entrance to the Musée d'Orsay
Guided tour of the permanent collection
Tour of the permanent collection
Small group of six people or fewer
Small group (6 people or less)

Visiting the Musée d'Orsay: What to See, Hours, and Getting There

The Musée d'Orsay spreads its collection across several floors. The main hall, under a soaring glass roof, holds sculpture and large-format paintings, while the upper levels are given over to the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, where you'll find Monet's "Poppies" and Van Gogh's "Self-Portrait." The old station restaurant still serves visitors with its Belle Époque decor intact, and the clock tower looks out over the Seine toward the Louvre. Rotating temporary exhibitions dig into individual artists or themes.

The museum sits on the Left Bank at Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, right along the river and an easy walk from the Louvre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Take Metro Line 12 to Solférino, RER Line C to Musée d'Orsay, or buses 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87, and 94. If you've booked in advance, head to Entrance C, the lane for individual visitors with pre-booked tickets, pass holders, AFMO members, and visitors with special needs.

The Musée d'Orsay is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays, as well as on May 1 and December 25. Hours run 09:30 to 18:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with a late opening until 21:45 on Thursdays that tends to be quieter. Last admission is at 17:00 (temporary exhibitions until 17:15), and galleries start closing at 17:30; on Thursdays last admission is at 21:00 with galleries closing at 21:15.

Weather in Paris

Today 57°F14°C 51°F10°C Rain 88%

Today 57°F14°C 48°F9°C Rain 100%

Tomorrow 62°F17°C 51°F11°C Rain 95%

Mon, Oct 26 59°F15°C 49°F10°C Rain 45%

Tue, Oct 27 65°F19°C 51°F11°C Rain 34%

Wed, Oct 28 60°F16°C 46°F8°C Rain 21%

Thu, Oct 29 61°F16°C 43°F6°C Rain 3%

Local time 2:44 AM, UTC+02:00

Available Days / Times

Monday
Tuesday : 10:00, 13:30
Wednesday : 10:00, 13:30
Thursday : 10:00, 13:30, 17:00
Friday : 10:00, 13:30
Saturday : 10:00, 13:30
Sunday

Last updated: Oct 22, 2026

From

Book Now

Important Information

Book ahead, since time slots sell out and lines get long in high season.
Entry is timed, so arrive close to your scheduled slot.
The museum is free on the first Sunday of each month, though it's far more crowded then.
The collection is large; a guide or audio guide helps you make sense of the artworks and their context.
Combination tickets, like those paired with a Seine cruise, can save time and money.
Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be on your feet most of the visit.
Security checks are mandatory, so allow extra time at the entrance.
Food and drink are only allowed in designated areas, not in the galleries.
Flash-free personal photography is fine; tripods, selfie sticks, and large gear need prior authorization.
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
Bags over 55 x 35 x 20 cm must go in the cloakroom.
Do not touch the artworks.
Sharp objects, art supplies, large umbrellas, and dangerous items are not allowed inside.
Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

FAQs

What is the Musée d'Orsay?

It's one of Paris's major art museums, set inside a former Beaux-Arts railway station on the Seine. It's known worldwide for its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection.

What should I see at the Musée d'Orsay?

Look for works by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Manet. The upper-floor Impressionist galleries and the view of Paris through the giant clock are the highlights, alongside sculpture, decorative arts, and photography.

Is the Musée d'Orsay free?

Admission is free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month. Otherwise a paid ticket is needed, though EU residents under 26 and some other visitors may enter free.

How much is a ticket to the Musée d'Orsay?

Prices depend on the ticket type, whether standard entry, a guided tour, or a combination ticket with other Paris sights. Check the verified options listed on this page for current prices.

Should I buy Musée d'Orsay tickets in advance?

Yes. It's one of the busiest museums in Paris and timed-entry slots often sell out, especially in peak season. This page lets you compare verified ticket options and lock in your preferred time.

How do I skip the line at the Musée d'Orsay?

Book a timed-entry ticket online ahead of time so you can use the priority lane instead of the ticket queue. You can compare skip-the-line options right on this page.

Where can I book Musée d'Orsay tickets?

You can buy online or at the museum. Booking through this page lets you compare verified options, including standard entry, guided tours, and combo tickets.

How do I get to the Musée d'Orsay?

The museum is on the Left Bank, central Paris. The simplest route is RER Line C to the Musée d'Orsay stop; Metro Line 12 to Solférino, several bus lines, and a short walk from the Louvre also work.

Why is the Musée d'Orsay building so distinctive?

It opened in 1900 as the Gare d'Orsay, a railway station built for the Paris World's Fair. Its iron-and-glass hall still reads unmistakably as a train station.

How long should I plan for a visit?

Most visits run two to three hours, but the collection easily fills a half day if you want to take your time.

Can I combine the Musée d'Orsay with other art museums?

Yes. It sits across the Seine from the Tuileries and within easy walking distance of the Louvre and the Orangerie, so it pairs well with other art stops in a single day.

Which part of the museum is busiest?

The Impressionist galleries on the upper floor draw the biggest crowds, so many visitors head straight up first and work back down through the earlier rooms.