Thanks to many of you who gave advice on how to best navigate the Musee d'Orsay. I have a Museum pass so I won't have a reservation. To avoid crowds, what time and day would you advise going? I could go Saturday afternoon, Sunday or Tuesday?
How far ahead of time would you advise getting to Notre Dame for morning or afternoon mass? I am assuming Sunday masses are busier than weekdays. I am in Paris Saturday-Wednesday morning.
Thank you!
Hi! Yes, you are correct that Sunday Masses at Notre Dame are busier than during the week and on Saturday.
To attend the Morning and/or the Afternoon Mass during the week, I recommend arriving 30/40 minutes in advance. You can wait in the separate "Mass access only" queue, which is in front of the central portal, and is marked by a small white sign. Once you enter Notre Dame, you'll go directly to the Nave (the centre) to take a seat for the service.
FYI, Morning and Afternoon Mass during the week and on Saturday doesn't include the Notre Dame de Paris Choir. And unless it's a solemnity/a special occasion, The Grand Organ is only played on Sunday during the 10:00am (Gregorian), 11:30am and 6:00pm Mass.
If you attend Morning or Afternoon Mass, you can also stay and visit the rest of the main floor of the cathedral without having to exit/re-enter.
The Orsay will be crowded on all of those days and times, especially Tuesday (the day the Louvre is closed).
Are you there now? By Sunday, do you mean tomorrow, May 4? If so, the Orsay will be extra jammed - free admission the first Sunday of the month.
For Musee d'Orsay, get in line before they open. It will get significantly busier at 10am. Also, there are several different entrance lines depending on your situation. I think Museum Pass is entrance C1. Verify this with museum staff outside when you arrive.
I attended Vespers at Notre Dame on a Sunday last month. The line started forming about 30 minutes before the service. Again, it is a separate line from the tourist entry. Just let the staff member know you are attending service and they will make sure you are in the right line.
My experience is that, if you get in when they open, and head right to the top, you can have the first hour, or more, almost alone.
I don’t think you’re going to be able to avoid crowds at the museum. I was there with a reservation at opening. between the people that have reservations and the members thar can come in early it was crowded very quickly. It’s not a large museum and in my opinion it’s harder to get away from the crowds there than it is at someplace like the Louvre where I can always find someplace that it’s not crowded.
Thanks for all your advice everyone! I think I am going to visit the Musee d'Orsay on Sunday morning first thing.
Looking forward to it!
I agree with hurry to the fifth floor immediately at opening. We got so lucky last April with the special Impressionist exhibit going on, that when we went on to the fifth floor we had a lot of room to explore and admire before it started getting crowded. Later we went downstairs to the ground/first floor and I was standing in what I would call a walkway trying to decide what to explore next. My husband told me to turn around and there all by herself with nobody around except us was Whistler's Mother. Just sitting there in her chair!
Also, we are not typically "get a bite to eat at the museum cafe" people; but as I was looking for the restrooms (not an easy feat) I encountered The Restaurant (not the cafe). Absolutely delightful; beautiful room. We had a lovely lunch!
