Free entry into Louvre and Orsay Museums

I would check the websites of the museums themselves.
One suggestion: rather than free days which may be mobbed, find out what nights they are open late. Usually til around 2100 or 2200. When I did this a few years ago, practically had the Orsay to myself. And actually did have the Mona Lisa all to myself. Granted this was in February.

Todd is right, Cheryl, that it's best these days to always check the official websites for the attractions themselves versus trust a guidebook. That goes even for the newest guidebooks, as opening hours, entry fees and whatnot can change at any time.

These are the current visiting hours and ticket fees listed on the Louvre's website:
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/hours-admission

The only free day they note was on July 14th. The only day it's open late is on Fridays.

Musee d'Orsay doesn't state anything about free admission during the days/hours you're asking about. It does, however list a reduced ticket price for entry at 6:00 PM or after on Thursdays, when they're open late.
https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/visit/admission-opening-times-tickets

A recent thread warned to stay clear of free museum days since, free. For the most up to date info, always use the google.

For the most up to date info, always use the google.

Arg, not google! There's a LOT of old, outdated info that comes up on broad searches. Go directly to the museums' own, official websites. In this case, I've linked info pages from both the Louvre's and Orsay's above.

The Louvre did not participate in the free days in the summer tourist season before COVID. Then they shifted to Saturday late entries as free times. Currently only July 14 is listed for free admission.

If you could 'scoot in for free at 5 pm' at the Orsay, note that when museums indicate they close at 6, this means everyone is on the street at 6 -- they begin closing wings and galleries by 5:30. At the Louvre it is kind of fun to watch them roll up the museum pushing people out of galleries with phalanxes of security guards.

And re 'google'. google is full of bad information and often organizations don't even take down their pages when they close. Just as one example of how bad google information can be if you are nt using official sites -- if you google taxi fares from CDG to Paris, the first advice will be something like 'it is about 60 Euro depending on time of day and traffic' -- yet there has been a fixed fare for a very long time.

If there's a specific piece of art you want to see at the Louvre, go see it before those late extended hours begin. I wanted to see some ceramics by an artist whose pieces I love to admire at the Met, and sort of "saved him for last" only to find that not all galleries are open during the late hours--same as the Met at home! I should have known better. I'll beeline to these when I'm there next in March.

You can also very often check a museum's website to see if a given piece is on display. Sometimes things are lent out or in transit or just having a rest in the conservation bay--better not to get your hopes up if your favorite painting won't be there for you!

Hello from Wisconsin,
Has no one considered how crowded these places get on 'free' day? As they say in economics, TANSTAAFL. There ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

If you are in Paris, don't shortchange the D'Orsay because you have to pay to get in. When you go to a movie you pay to get in. And what you are going to see is unknown. Is the movie good or bad? The D'Orsay is remarkable and has been for years.

wayne iNWI

Wayner has it right. The most expensive way to see a major museum is on the free day.

I agree with Wayner and Janet. I would not go to the Orsay or the Louvre on a free day, way too crowded for me.

And Cheryl, you were right, in English it’s the Orsay, not the D’Orsay… : )