musee d'orsay

I visited last month. We only had timed general entry tickets.

When we did a special exhibit last spring, that was our ticket for everything. They actually let us in quite a bit earlier than our exhibit time; as I asked the lady at one of the entrance lines if it was the correct line. She said it wasn't too busy and to feel free to go in. (maybe 45 min) So that took us through security and into the main museum where we were free to explore until our exhibit time.

The timed ticket was the time we were admitted to the special exhibit. And then after your exhibit tour, you are again able to just explore the rest of the museum/permanent collection on your own.

That was our experience. Very easy. We didn't need a separate general admission ticket.

We went this past Tuesday. Had 930 tix for the Sargent exhibit, definitely allows you to see whole museum

Arrived closer to 10 and walked right in, right past the very long line of non-ticket-holders. (We had a little morning traffic hiccup.) Went to the 5th floor first. Probably 1115 or 1130 when we got to the Sargent ex and we were able to walk right in, with no question.

BTW - grab a locker (free, self-service) and stash your backpack, extra clothing, anything/everything you don’t need.

I agree with everything Fred said. I also bought 9:30 tickets for the Sargent exhibit and walked right in, unlike the huge line for non-timed-ticket holders. I had lunch at the museum and didn't leave until 1:30. The self-storage units are quick and easy.

I wanted to add that I really enjoyed the Sargent exhibit. I found it to be extremely well curated. I don't usually read everything in museums, but I found the included historical notes that were posted to be very interesting and I was also impressed by the breadth of the art displayed. Enjoy!

Hello,
Just book your ticket for the exhibit and that will get you in! Enjoy it is an absolutely brilliant museum!

Hello, a couple of questions/clarifications from previous posts, please: I am going to buy a Duo membership so we can visit several times. I have seen reference to a "Duo Membership Matins" that would get us in before the normal 9:30 a.m. entrance but I can't see any reference to that on their site. Will the regular duo membership get us in early? Also, do I need separate, timed tickets to the Renoir exhibit or is that included in the membership? Thanks for your time.

What you want is a Carte Blanche dual membership. You don't need reservations and you have access to the fastest line in -- you also have a special line at the special exhibits. They let a few at a time from the privileged line -- but it goes a lot faster than the regular line for special exhibits that are popular. I have done this with a local friend who has this many times. Alas like all magic things, as more and more people are aware and buy this membership, the line advantages begin to diminish. It is still the best way to avoid lines at the museum with the worst lines.

It also gives you Orangerie admission and you use a side line that gets you ahead of much of the regular line -- you enter fairly near the front.

@Admiral Nelson - A forum friend found out last Fall that it was easier to go to the Orangerie to purchase the Carte Blanche which covers both museums. You tell the security folks by the front door what you want to do and they let you right in. The folks at the desk didn’t like my photocopy of my passport picture so took one with their phone (which was the best ID type picture I’ve ever had, lol) and then made up the card there. If you purchase at the Orsay they give you a temporary card 2-week card and MAIL your real card to you. Both my friend and I were going to be there longer than the 2 weeks so the permanent card worked better.

Also, do I need separate, timed tickets to the Renoir exhibit or is that included in the membership?

Special exhibitions are included with the membership card.

I bought a Carte Blanche on Feb 2 last month at the Orangerie. Like Pam said, you tell the guard at the head of the line that you want to buy the card and she let me in. They have a little camera on the counter as part of their set up for issuing the card to take your picture and get you set up. Very easy. I had to wait while one person in front of me did the same thing and it didn’t take long at all.

I had a friend do the same thing to renew her carte blanche at the Orsay. She told the guard at the Carte Blanche door and he let her in to the CB counter which is near that entrance so he could observe her going to that spot.

I am thinking of buying a Paris Museum pass since this will be the cheapest option for places I want to visit. However, it appears that this will allow me to select general entry time, not time for exhibition. I contacted the museum for advise and am waiting to hear back. Anyone know the answer?

stillhouse1, be very careful with the Paris Museum Pass. Somes venues, like the Louvre, limit the number of timed tickets available to Passholders and can "sell out" even when regular tickets are still available.