Need help with planning …timed entries Marmotten and Orsay

Honestly, I would prioritize the Orsay over many of your other activities such as walking tours of neighborhoods. We have walked through most of them, stayed in them, on trips to Paris. The Orangerie is small and wonderful, doesn’t take too much time. Is there any way you can extend your time in Paris?

I loved the Marmottan! It’s a relatively unknown house museum so I don’t think you need a timed entry but Covid could have changed that. I went in 2018 and we just walked in. Perhaps you have already checked that online?

Also, after seeing the Marmottan, you will take the Metro to a stop near the Eiffel Tower which is a few blocks walk from your hotel.

I think you could fit in a Seine boat cruise in your week.

Btw, I noticed you arrive on Monday 9/05 and have tickets for the Louvre at 1 pm that very day? I’m just thinking of jet lag and flights being delayed, etc. Perhaps your flight arrives super early on the 5th. I agree your time is tight since you leave on the 9th.

I’ve stayed at the Hotel Muguet previously, it’s very well located for your sightseeing. The staff was very nice, too. The Musée Rodin is a short walk from your hotel.

We arrive at CDG on Sat. And are going directly to Bayeux and return to Paris Monday by train arriving at Gare Saint Lazare at 10:00… if on time .

Hi Iowa Girl (I'm originally from there)!

Here's the info for booking a timed-entry ticket for Musée de l'Orangerie. Do note that last admission is at 5:15 pm so I don't see that happening for you after the Louvre on Monday unless you don't need more than 3.5 hours there. The website says that timed -entry reservations are not mandatory but are recommended. Too bad you couldn't have scheduled the Louvre for a different day as you could have grouped it with the Tuileries and Orangerie, as they're in the same area. Walk the Tuileries after you leave the Louvre. You might have to skip the Orangerie or do it Wed (see below).

https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en/node/197817

You don't need a timed entry reservation for the Marmotten:
https://www.marmottan.fr/en/prepare-your-visit/practical-information/

Skip Giverny: you really don't have time for that, and Tuesday will pretty much be shot with the trip to Versailles. Ideally, I would have prioritized more attractions in Paris versus take up an entire day with this one but heck, it's YOUR trip, right?

I'd also skip the organized walking tours and replace them with Musée d'Orsay and the Rodin (those two are not far apart) on Wed., and the Marmotten and Musée de Cluny on Thursday. The Cluny was a wonderful museum even before it closed for a lengthy restoration and upgrade in 2015. It's open again, and also located in the Latin quarter so you could easily combine it with a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens. Montmarte isn't really close to anything else on your list, and not worth missing some other attractions for, especially if you're the art lover you appear to be! :O)

https://www.musee-moyenage.fr/en/

You might be able to slip the Orangerie on Wed. if not too overwhelmed after the Musée d'Orsay and Rodin, as the Rodin and Orangerie are both smaller museums.

Arc de Triomphe can be done any evening you're not too tired to do it and it's not raining. I'd skip it entirely if not up to climbing the stairs as (unless things have changed) the lift is only available to people with disabilities or mobility challenges.

https://www.paris-arc-de-triomphe.fr/en/

For a boat tour: any evening you're not too pooped and it's not raining. I don't see Thursday not being available for an evening activity as you've plenty of time to get packed on Friday morning and to the station for a 10:00 AM train. If packing takes you an extraordinary amount of time, start putting everything in the suitcase on Wed. that you won't need on Thursday or Friday. :O)

It might not all get done but no tragedy there; just think of it as a reason to return to the City of Light someday!

Thanks .. i think my plan will be left open for visiting the Orangerie. I think that we can get to the Orangerie by 5:00 after the Louvre . My husband is not one to linger in a museum. We will be using the Rick Steves audio guide to help us move through the museum. I’m hoping if we arrived at the Orangerie by . 5 o’clock without a timed entrance we will be OK. Please advise.

Our audio guided walking tours are not scheduled for any particular time . we can start and stop them as needed. Or restart on another day.

Unless you are dead set on seeing Monet’s works at the Marmottan and Montmarte specifically, I’d suggest Wednesday’s schedule be:
-Orangerie at opening time.
-Then walk across the river and go to the Orsay either mid morning or right after lunch.
-Then just wander until supper. There are plenty of lovely neighborhoods that are less crowded and touristy than Montmartre
-Have a meal and then take a Seine boat ride.

As Kathy says, it’s your trip so take this with a grain of salt. It sounds like a very busy trip. I totally get the urge to see as much as possible but it’s easy to feel pressured and forget to actually enjoy the time you have.

We arrived at the Orangerie at opening time and it was fantastic. The Water Lily paintings are displayed in the round and standing there practically alone, surrounded by the paintings was one of the best things I’ve ever done. It was incredibly peaceful.

Regarding the Orsay vs the Marmottan, you are already seeing Monet’s works at the Orangerie, so you might see more variety by substituting the Orsay for the Marmottan.

Have a wonderful time whatever you decide! We have a trip planned for next spring. Can’t wait!

Thank you thank you, I have decided that the Mount Marmottenn walk is not something I want to take the time to do. If we don’t get to see the Orangerie at the end of the day on Monday I like your idea of being there first thing in the morning. My tentative thought for Wednesday is that we will go to Marmottan and then maybe we might get out to
Giverney. Or we will just putts around the neighborhoods and do what we want.. I will need to decide the day before. Plus Boat ride on the Seine if weather permits
Thursday (Our last full day ) we will go to the Orsay, and visit Rodin and (maybe the Orangerie first thing in the morning ) then we will spend the rest of the day wandering around Paris seeing the Luxembourg gardens and Saint Chapelle if we haven’t seen it already .

**** I do wonder how far in advance I need to book an entry time for the Orsay