The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM, with a late opening on Thursdays until 9:45 PM. But the real questions lie elsewhere: how late can you get in, when do the galleries close, and which slots should you avoid? Verified answers below.
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Source: the Musée d'Orsay's official website. Double-check before you come on a public holiday.
| Day | Open | Last admission | Galleries cleared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | ||
| Tuesday | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | from 5:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | from 5:30 PM |
| Thursday (late night) | 9:30 AM – 9:45 PM | 9:00 PM | from 9:15 PM |
| Friday | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | from 5:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | from 5:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM | 5:00 PM | from 5:30 PM |
The museum closes three times a year, always on the same dates:
On other French public holidays (July 14, August 15, November 1, November 11, January 1…), the museum is open at its usual hours if the holiday falls between Tuesday and Sunday — and these are often very busy days, with Parisians joining the tourists. On December 24 and 31, closing time may be brought forward: check the official website the day before.
Orsay closed on Mondays, the Louvre closed on Tuesdays: it's the classic Paris museum seesaw. The direct consequence — Tuesday is Orsay's busiest day, as it absorbs the visitors locked out of the Louvre. If your schedule allows, aim for Wednesday or Friday.
The Thursday evening opening deserves a special mention: a €12 ticket instead of €16, galleries almost empty after 7:30 PM, and the night view over the Seine and Sacré-Cœur through the fifth-floor clock. Photographers prefer it to any other slot — details in our guide to avoiding the lines.
Season-wise: November to February (outside school holidays) offers the quietest days. April–October and the Christmas holidays concentrate the crowds, with online slots selling out several days in advance.
The full time budget is detailed in our ticket guide. And if you're arriving by train, see the route from Gare Saint-Lazare.
Since March 2026, booking a timed entry slot is mandatory. Reserve your entry in advance and simply show up with your mobile ticket.
Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 6 PM, with a late opening on Thursdays until 9:45 PM. Closed on Mondays, May 1 and December 25 (source: Musée d'Orsay).
Last admission is at 5:00 PM (9:00 PM on Thursdays). The galleries start being cleared 30 minutes before closing time.
No, the museum is closed every Monday. With the Louvre closed on Tuesdays, many visitors switch to Orsay that day instead: Tuesday is statistically its busiest day.
Every Thursday, the museum stays open until 9:45 PM. From 6 PM, a flat-rate evening ticket is available for €12. It's the quietest slot of the week.
Yes, except May 1 and December 25 — and except when the holiday falls on a Monday. Open holidays tend to be very busy.
2.5 hours for the essentials (nave, masterpieces, Impressionist gallery), 4 hours for a full visit with breaks. Add 20 minutes for entry and the cloakroom on busy days.