How to Use the Paris Museum Pass at the Musée d’Orsay (Reservation Required from 2026)
The Paris Museum Pass includes the Musée d’Orsay — but from March 2026 you must also book a free timed-entry slot on the official Orsay website, or you can be turned away even with a valid pass. With a slot booked, you use the pass-holder entrance and skip the ticket queue. The Orsay is closed on Mondays. Here’s exactly how to do it.
The pass covers entry, not the time slot
As with the Louvre, the pass pays for your Orsay admission but does not automatically reserve a time. From March 2026 the Musée d’Orsay joined the list of sites requiring pass holders to book a free timed slot in advance. The pass and the reservation are two separate things you’ll need together.
How to book your free Orsay slot
- Buy your Paris Museum Pass first.
- Go to the official Musée d’Orsay ticketing site.
- Select the Paris Museum Pass holder option and choose a date and time.
- Confirm your free reservation — there’s no extra charge for pass holders.
- Save the confirmation alongside your pass on your phone.
Book early — slots go fast
The Orsay is one of Paris’s most popular museums, so free pass-holder slots fill up quickly, especially in high season. Book your slot as soon as you have your pass, and aim for an early or later-afternoon time to avoid the busiest midday crowds in the galleries.
Which entrance to use
With your reservation, head for the entrance designated for pass and reservation holders rather than the general ticket queue. Look for the signage on arrival, have your pass and slot confirmation ready, and you’ll skip the line to buy a ticket — though everyone still passes through security screening.
Closed Mondays and other timing tips
The Musée d’Orsay is closed on Mondays, so don’t plan your Orsay visit then. It’s busiest midday; quieter at opening and late in the day, and it has a popular late-evening opening (typically Thursday). Planning your reserved slot around these patterns makes for a calmer visit among the Impressionist masterpieces.
What you’ll see
Housed in a magnificent former railway station, the Orsay holds the world’s greatest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art — Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne and more — plus the famous fifth-floor clock window. Allow around two to three hours to do it justice, and don’t miss the views over the Seine.
How much the pass saves you here
Orsay admission is around €16 in 2026, so it makes a solid contribution toward the cost of a pass. Pair it with the nearby Louvre and Orangerie — all close together along the Seine — and the three together comfortably exceed the price of a 2-day pass.
Tips for a smooth Orsay visit
- Book your free slot as soon as you buy your pass.
- Avoid Mondays (closed) and aim for opening or late afternoon.
- Pair it with the Louvre and Orangerie along the Seine.
- Travel light — security and bag rules apply.
- Keep your pass and slot confirmation handy on your phone.
Pair the Orsay with nearby pass sites
The Orsay sits in a cluster of pass-covered museums, so make a day of it. Just across the Seine are the Louvre and the Musée de l’Orangerie, while the Musée Rodin is a short walk away toward Les Invalides. Booking your Orsay slot for the morning leaves the afternoon free for one or two of these, turning a single reservation into a full, high-value day along the river.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for the Orsay
To visit the Musée d’Orsay the smart way, buy your Paris Museum Pass online, then book your free timed slot on the official Orsay site. Secure both in advance and walk past the ticket queue to one of the world’s greatest art collections.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Musée d’Orsay included in the pass?
Yes — on all three durations.
Do I need to reserve a time?
Yes — from March 2026 you must book a free timed slot, even with the pass.
What happens without a reservation?
You can be turned away, even with a valid pass.
When is the Orsay closed?
Mondays.
Does the pass skip security?
No — security screening still applies to everyone.
How much does the pass save at the Orsay?
Orsay entry is around €16 in 2026, a solid contribution toward the pass.