Paris museum (Orsay and Lourve) lines

I wouldn't worry about security lines as they move fast. At most museums, security consists of someone looking into bags and purses. If I remember correctly, there is a walk through metal detector at d'Orsay and the Louvre. Once through security, you walk right in with your pass. It is best to go to these museums early unless you can go to their late openings in the evening.

IMHO, the key is definitely the Paris Pass if you want to avoid the longest lines @ these 2 sites as well as the Pompidou Center. The passes are available in 2,3, 4 & 6 days; combined with a 'carnet' of 10 transport tickets (x2, depending how many days/people w/you), which you can buy at the airport when you land, you would be set for most of your trip. Keep in mind, if you aren't taking a shuttle or taxi from the airport, the RER B train is a separate ticket, each direction.Also, if you come in via CDG Vs Orly, you may have to take the free shuttle that runs between terminals 1 & 2, to get to where the RER B train leaves.

October (early) was a great time: not too cold (we're from Seattle) and much smaller - though still there - lines. Beware folks asking you if you lost a valuable ring, or large brown men in long gowns approaching you to shake hands & asking if you're from US/UK or AU (they tie a 'bracelet' around your wrist then demand payment. Also, unfortunately, there were many swarthy young 'girls, at Sacre Coeur, dressed in white, pretending to be mute, asking for 'donations' to build their ' home'. They are professional pickpockets, unfortunately. All this is easily avoided, esp if you wear a money belt and don't keep anything in your pockets! Just be aware and you will be fine. Paris is a great place to fall in love with - over and over and over...

If you want to skip the longest lines at the Louvre, enter through the Carrousel du Louvre.

I was in Paris in late October (2015), had a museum pass and waited in security line for 45 minutes at the Orsay. That was the longest wait I ever had at a Paris museum in 3 separate trips to France. Either that's the new normal or I went on an exceptionally busy day/time (mid-week, late morning).

the Paris Museum pass is worthwhile (not the Paris Pass which is an overpriced product which just adds a fee to these passes you can buy easily on your own like the Museum Pass) With the Museum Pass (or a ticket) you can use the special security door at the Orsay; we never go to the Orsay without ticket in hand as the lines can be a couple of hours long. This is less likely when it isn't peak tourist season but we have seen long lines in October and May. With the pass or ticket you often just walk in and even at the height of the season the wait in that line is rarely more than 15 minutes.

At the Orangerie there is also a separate line for passholders. At the Louvre, where lines tend not to be an issue for tickets, you can use a bypass line at the Pyramid if you have the pass or a ticket. The long lines at the Louvre at the Pyramid are security, not ticket lines, you can bypass to a shorter line if you have ticket or pass. The Carousel entrance tends to have shorter security lines so if you don't have a ticket try there. Most of the time when we have been there (a couple of dozen times usually in spring) there have not been more than 25 or 30 people in this line. Once inside you can buy tickets from many machines and from manned kiosks. US magnetic credit cards work in the machines (one of the rare places in Paris they do) if you leave the card in the machine European style while you do the transaction.

For a short first visit, the Museum Pass is worthwhile; it allows multiple entries, so you can spend a couple of short stints at the Louvre rather than a marathon, helps with lines some places particularly the Orsay. And it also allows you to sample places briefly you wouldn't otherwise commit to.

We made great use out of our 2 day Paris Museum pass too.....we went to the Louvre in the morning but we were with a tour.

After our RS tour hubby and I went to the Rodin when they first opened (it wasn't crowded at all), The Orangerie right after the Rodin (again, not crowded), and the Orsay after lunch. We knew we'd be spending more time at the Orsay so we grabbed a great lunch at an Italian place a few blocks from the Orsay then enjoyed the museum. This was on May 9th or 10th and while it wasn't without patrons, it was manageable.

As Janettravels says, there is a Paris Museum Pass, a Paris Visite Pass, and a Paris Pass. They are three different things, and yes it is confusing. The Paris Museum Pass can be a good deal for the reasons she mentions; the other two are rarely a good deal for most visitors.

Paris Museum Pass is the way to go.

Thanks for all the advice.