Best time to visit major Paris museums

The best time to visit major Paris museums is in January or February.

Expect crowds at the end of May. My experience is that the crowds are at their smallest at a museum´s morning opening.

Advance purchase tickets for le Musée d´Orsay are available through FNAC.

We went to the Louvre in late April (2018), went through the security line in the Carrousel entrance just as they opened, flashed our museum passes and were good to go. We went to D'Orsay in the late afternoon on another day, again a security line and flashing the Paris Museum Pass. If you're not going to enough museums to make the pass worthwhile I would suggest going early or late.

I might add that those having advance tickets generally use the same museum entrances as do pass holders.

Kathy, as long as you'll be in Paris for 4 - 4.5 days, try the Louvre at night if you happen to be there on a day (or days) it's open late?

Wednesday: 9 a.m.–9:45 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m.–9:45 p.m.

We did 3 separate trips to that museum (with the Museum Pass) over a week in Paris - its too huge to take in all at once - and found the 1 evening we spent there to be less busy. It also provided a sightseeing opportunity during hours most everything else was closed.

The d'Orsay is open until 9:45 p.m. on Thursdays.

With the Museum Pass, do you need to arrange timed entry tickets to the Louvre or Musée d'Orsay? Or can you go whenever you want?

I had the Museum Pass and visited the D'orsay around 10 am on a weekday, no line at all to get in and not crowded, but by the time I was leaving around 1:30 it was noticeably more crowded. The Louvre I visited on a night it was open later, used the Carrousel entrance and walked right in around 5 or so.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Kathy, what a great idea to go to the Louvre and / or Orsay in the evening. I don’t know why I had not thought of that!!

You cannot book a timed entry with a Museum Pass. You can book timed entries to Versailles Chateau and to the Louvre without a pass. I don't think you can book timed entries to the Musee d'Orsay but with ticket or pass you have a short or non existent security line.

Just back from Paris where I had timed tickets for the Louvre and D’Orsay. At the Louvre, same entrance as others by pyramid but upon showing your ticket, ushered through. At D’Orsay, entrance to right of main doors Gate C I believe, is noted on your ticket. Ushered right in. Attended both first time slot available in morning and like others, could see crowds building shortly after noon.

Thank you. That is good to know. How far in advance did you buy your timed tickets? Where did you get timed tickets for Orsay?

Where did you get timed tickets for Orsay?

Did you skip over the link in the very first post? Click on the word FNAC.

I saw that link but it did not say “ timed entry” just advanced purchase

I'll just add one more thing. If the line is unreasonably long, go do something else and circle back. I tried to hit d'Orsay one morning and the Museum Pass line was across the terrace area, down the stairs then across and down the street. I went and did gardens that day and came back the next day, getting there early before opening. Had a shortish line but not bad. Of course if you are going for timed entry as opposed to a Museum Pass, this won't work.

I'll also say that I am a morning person and I need to be fresh mentally and physically to tackle either of these big museums so I do better in the AM. I would not be able to enjoy doing them in the evening as that is just generally not when my energy level is high. Everyone differs on this but just thought I'd throw that in for consideration as well.

I'd suggest arriving at the Louvre at least 30 minutes before opening with no bags and museum passes in hand. That will get you in as quickly as possible (especially if no one has bags in front of you). They have a line specifically for museum passes, so you bypass everyone who needs to buy a ticket.

The d'Orsay isn't too much of a problem. I've only skipped it on a free day where the line was extremely long.

Kathy I got the tickets for D’Orsay from their own website. I did so a few months prior to my arrival but would expect one could do so a few weeks in advance and it would be fine. I was organizing multiple venues and knew the Picasso exhibit would heighten attendance. One other thing I sometimes do is order tickets for D’Orsay’s lunch time concert series. World class musicians, one hour concert usually just €5 more than standard ticket. Quick entry and, after concert one leaves the auditorium and enters the gallery section. If one likes classical music, lovely event

Thank you Patty for clarifying. I went to the Orsay website and it looks like I can get timed entry tix for special exhibits, I.e. the Picasso exhibit that is there now, but not for general admission. I did see that I can purchase in advance general entry tix. Thanks also for the concert suggestion. That may be a nice way to slow down a bit!

All advance tickets for le Musée d´Orsay are sold through FNAC. If you had clicked the link, you would have probably noticed it actually is the Musée d´Orsay website.

All advance tickets are timed.

Tocard, the information you have provided is much appreciated.... the sarcasm is not :(

Just to back Kathy up, I just tried to do a dummy, general-entry advance ticket booking for the d'Orsay and I'm not seeing a place for choosing a timed-entry slot either. It just states "Ticket valid for 3 months from the date of purchase. Reserved access door C. Potential waiting for Vigipirate control." under the details of purchase.

Patty, any words for wisdom for finding time-slot selections? Did you pre-purchase your tickets through the FNAC site?

I just went through the purchase process and alas, unlike other museums, advance tickets for le Musée d´Osay allow you to visit anytime you like within the stated valid time frame of 4 months. Tickets purchased now for le Musée d´Orsay are valid for use anytime before the end of the year.

The ticket purchase was a few months ago but thinking perhaps it was timed because of the Picasso exhibit this time. Generally it is good for three months as someone else posted.

We just got back from an evening visit to the Louvre. Walked right up to the ticket counter. No line. Plenty of people in the museum but not bad at all. I wiggled up to see Mona Lisa immediately. No waiting.

I am in Paris now and visited the Louvre today . I have a Museum Pass. Fridays the Louvre stays open till 2200. It was a great day, my best visit yet. Not very crowded. I did not stand in one line all day.I rented a head set this time and feel like it was worth the 5 euro fee. Only complaint, and this isn't the Louvre's fault, is that it is ridiculously hot in Paris for October... more so inside the museum. Bye bye from Paris where I'm livin' the dream!