How to Skip the Lines at
the Orsay Museum

Hints for Beating the Lineups
at this Belle-Époque Gem

The Orsay Museum is one of the most popular museums in Paris with over 3 million visitors a year.

That's a lot of people, and that usually means long lines. But, don't worry, we've got some advice for you. There are a couple of ways to avoid standing in the ticket lines.

The Paris Museum Pass not only gets you free entrance into over 60 museums in Paris, it also allows you to skip the ticket lines at most of them, including the Orsay Museum.

We recommend you get a Museum Pass before you leave home as part of one of a combination Paris City Pass that also get you unlimited rides on the Metro (and lots of other perks). Check out our reviews of the passes —

• Complete Guide to Paris City Passes »

Skip-the-Lines Musée d'Orsay Tour

If you're a first-time visitor to this great Impressionist museum, or if you want to learn about Impressionism, consider booking a guided tour.

Instead of spending your precious time in Paris standing in lines, we recommend this 2-hour guided tour of the Orsay Museum. Group size is limited to 25, so you don't get lost in the crowd!

Your guide takes you directly into the museum and to most famous Impressionist paintings where you learn the history of the artwork, the artists, and of the building itself.

You'll discover how this Parisian art movement changed the landscape of western art and you'll see famous masterpieces by Manet, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Degas and many, many others. It is hands down the top Impressionist museum on the planet.

• Skip the Lines at Musée d'Orsay Tour »
• Or make it a full day of art with a visit to Musée d'Orsay and a trip to the famous artists' colony at Barbizon, just outside of Paris. Learn More »

More about the Orsay Museum

Three million visitors a year is pretty good for a building that started out as a train station!

With that many people coming every year, the Orsay is going to be crowded much of the time.

But it's a don't-miss destination in a city full of great museums. Go to our guide to read about the must-see artwork.

• Read Our Guide to Musée d'Orsay and the Not-To-Miss Artwork »

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