Musée d'Orsay Opening Hours 2026
Tue–Sun 9:30–18:00, Thursdays until 21:45. Closed Mondays. And since March 2026 the entrance is a building site, so a booked slot is the safe way in — walk-up still works, on tighter capacity.
Musée d'Orsay is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 to 18:00. Thursdays it stays open until 21:45. It is closed every Monday.
One thing has changed since March 2026: the reception areas are being rebuilt, and the museum now strongly recommends booking a time slot. Walk-up still works — the Forecourt entrance takes visitors with an undated ticket or none at all, and the desk sells same-day tickets at €14 — but capacity is tighter than it was, so a slot is the safe way in.
Full opening hours
| Day | Hours | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9:30–18:00 | 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 9:30–18:00 | 17:00 |
| Thursday | 9:30–21:45 | 21:00 |
| Friday | 9:30–18:00 | 17:00 |
| Saturday | 9:30–18:00 | 17:00 |
| Sunday | 9:30–18:00 | 17:00 |
| Monday | Closed | — |
Also closed: 1 May and 25 December.
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The renovation and booking (2026–2028)
From 10 March 2026 until summer 2028, the reception areas are being rebuilt and the museum asks every visitor to book online. Asks, not requires: the Quay entrance handles timed tickets, the Forecourt entrance handles undated tickets and visitors with no ticket, and same-day tickets are still sold at the desk for €14. One group does need a slot — Paris Museum Pass holders, who reserve through the Paris Museum Pass site. Access routes shift as the work moves, so check which entrance is yours before you leave the hotel.
All galleries remain fully open throughout the renovation. The collections, temporary exhibitions, and programming are unaffected.
Where to book timed entry
Our take: GetYourGuide bundles a digital audio guide app for €9 more — useful since the museum's own audio guide is paid separately. If you don't need the audio commentary, the official site is cheaper. Either way, book a few days ahead in peak season — the desk still sells same-day tickets at €14, but capacity is the thing that runs out.
When to visit by day and time
Thursday evening is the best window. After 18:00 the museum thins dramatically. The Impressionist galleries on the 5th floor — Monet, Renoir, Degas — feel almost private. Ticket price drops to €12. It's the single best value-to-crowd ratio in Paris.
Tuesday at 9:30 is the second best slot. Monday is the Orsay's closing day, so Tuesday morning sees the lightest general crowds of the week. Avoid Tuesday afternoon — the Louvre closes on Tuesdays and some of that crowd migrates here.
Worst time: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00–15:00, especially on days following a Louvre closure.
Weekends are consistently the busiest, regardless of the time slot. If you're visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, book the first available slot and arrive on time.
Free admission days and who qualifies
First Sunday of each month: free for all visitors. All 12 first Sundays of 2026 are open (no cancellations) — a booked slot is mandatory on those dates, under-18 and under-26 EU visitors included, with Carte Blanche and Paris Museum Pass holders the only exemptions. Always-free year-round: under 18 worldwide, EU/EEA under 26, students up to 30 in art and culture fields, job seekers, RSA recipients, disabled visitors plus one companion, and several professional categories. For the full 2026 calendar, the Easter Sunday 5 April overlap, and the booking timing, see our Musée d'Orsay free admission 2026 guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Musée d'Orsay opening hours in 2026?
Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 to 18:00 (last entry 17:00). On Thursdays the museum stays open until 21:45 (last entry 21:00). The museum is closed every Monday, on 1 May, and on 25 December.
Is the Musée d'Orsay open on Mondays?
No. The Musée d'Orsay is closed every Monday, without exception. The Louvre is also closed on Tuesdays, so the two closures don't align — Orsay on Monday, Louvre on Tuesday.
Do I need to book in advance for the Musée d'Orsay?
Yes, from 10 March 2026 through summer 2028, and the museum stays open with every gallery accessible. Booking a timed slot is strongly recommended rather than compulsory: walk-up visitors use the Forecourt entrance and the desk still sells same-day tickets at €14. Paris Museum Pass holders are the exception — they do need a booked slot.
What time is best to visit the Musée d'Orsay?
Thursday evening after 18:00 is the best window — the crowd drops sharply, reduced €12 ticket price, and the Impressionist galleries feel almost private. Opening time (9:30) on Tuesday or Wednesday is the second best option.
When is the Musée d'Orsay free?
The first Sunday of each month is free for everyone. It's also permanently free for visitors under 26 from EU countries, and for all visitors under 18. First Sundays draw long queues — arrive before 9:30 or expect a wait.
Last verified: April 2026
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