Do You Need to Reserve the Musée d’Orsay with the Paris Museum Pass?
Yes — from March 2026, the Musée d’Orsay requires a free timed reservation even with the pass. The pass covers entry, but you must book a slot in advance on the official site. The Orsay is closed on Mondays. Here’s how to reserve, what to show, and how to plan your Impressionist visit.
The short answer
The Orsay — home to the world’s greatest Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection — is included in the pass. But following a change from March 2026, pass holders need to book a free timed entry slot in advance, rather than simply turning up. Without a slot, you may have to wait or be turned away.
Why the change
Like the Louvre and Versailles before it, the Orsay introduced timed entry to manage its very high visitor numbers and improve the experience inside. The pass still covers your admission at no extra cost — you just add the free reservation step, which also helps you skip the ticket queue more smoothly.
How to book your free slot
- Buy your Paris Museum Pass first.
- Go to the official Musée d’Orsay website.
- Choose the timed-entry option for pass holders (free).
- Select your date and time slot.
- Save the confirmation with your pass on your phone.
What to show at the gate
Bring both your Paris Museum Pass (which covers entry) and your timed-slot confirmation (which covers the time), ready on your phone. Use the pass-holder entrance, and allow time for security screening, which applies to everyone regardless of the pass.
When to go
The Orsay is closed on Mondays and opens late on Thursday evenings, which are wonderfully atmospheric and quieter. Mornings at opening are also calmer. Book a slot that suits, aiming away from the midday peak so you can enjoy the Impressionist galleries without the heaviest crowds.
What you’ll see
Housed in a grand former railway station, the Orsay holds masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne and more, plus sculpture and decorative arts of the 1848–1914 era. The famous fifth-floor Impressionist galleries, behind the giant station clock, are the highlight for most visitors.
Pair it with the Seine cluster
The Orsay sits on the Left Bank across the river from the Louvre and the Tuileries, with the pass-included Orangerie a short walk away. You can string these together into a superb day of art along the Seine — just book the timed slots each requires in a sensible order.
Tips for your visit
- Book a free timed slot from March 2026 onwards.
- Avoid Mondays (closed).
- Try the Thursday late opening for fewer crowds.
- Head to the fifth floor for the Impressionists.
- Pair it with the Louvre and Orangerie nearby.
How long to allow
Most visitors spend two to three hours at the Orsay, longer if you linger over the Impressionists on the fifth floor. Because it is more compact than the Louvre, it is easy to combine with the nearby Orangerie or a Seine-side walk on the same pass day. Book a slot that leaves you unhurried time inside, and head upstairs first thing to enjoy the Monets and Van Goghs before the galleries fill up.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for the Orsay
To enjoy the Orsay without the ticket queue, buy your Paris Museum Pass online in advance and book your free timed slot on the official site. Secure your pass and step into the world’s finest Impressionist collection.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to reserve the Orsay with the pass?
Yes — from March 2026, a free timed slot is required.
Is the Orsay included in the pass?
Yes — entry is covered; you add the free reservation.
Where do I book?
On the official Musée d’Orsay website.
When is it closed?
Mondays; it opens late on Thursdays.
What do I show at the gate?
Your pass and your timed-slot confirmation.
What’s the highlight?
The fifth-floor Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries.