The must-see museums in one table
| Museum | Full-price ticket | Hours | Closed | Allow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louvre | €22 (EEA) / €32 (non-EEA) | 9:00-18:00, until 21:00 on Wednesday and Friday | Tuesday | 3 hours minimum |
| Orsay | €16 | 9:30-18:00, until 21:45 on Thursday | Monday | 2 to 3 hours |
| Orangerie | €12.50 | 9:00-18:00 | Tuesday | 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Rodin | €14 | 10:00-18:30 | Monday | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Picasso | €16 | 9:30-18:00 | Monday | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Marmottan Monet | €14 | 10:00-18:00, until 21:00 on Thursday | Monday | 1.5 hours |
| Quai Branly | about €14 (to be confirmed) | 10:30-19:00, until 22:00 on Thursday | Monday | 2 hours |
Hours are those on our museum pages, noted in October 2026. Museums close on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December; some also close at short notice on a strike or demonstration day: the Louvre, for example, is closed on Saturday 24 October 2026 (official website). Always check the official page the day before.
The Louvre: the biggest, so plan ahead
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. Allow at least three hours for the essentials (the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo) and book an entry time slot online, even with a Paris Museum Pass or a free entry. Wednesday and Friday evenings (until 21:00) are the quietest. To choose between an official ticket and a guided tour, read Louvre ticket: official or guided tour. To see what changed after the jewel theft, see the Louvre heist: what changes for visitors.
Orsay and the Orangerie: Impressionism
The Musée d'Orsay (1848-1914) brings together Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh in a former railway station. The time slot is booked online, and entry is free for under-18s and on the first Sunday of the month (booking recommended). On Thursday evenings the museum stays open until 21:45. Our comparison: Orsay, which offer to choose. The Orangerie, at the end of the Tuileries garden, houses Monet's Water Lilies in two oval rooms: it is the shortest and cheapest of the three big museums, and combines well with the Louvre on the same day. See also Orangerie: which offer.
Rodin, Picasso, Marmottan: human-sized museums
- Rodin: the Hôtel Biron and its garden (The Thinker, The Gates of Hell). Last entry 17:45. A great choice in fine weather.
- Picasso: the largest public collection devoted to the artist, in the Hôtel Salé in the Marais. Free on the first Sunday of the month.
- Marmottan Monet: the largest Monet collection in the world, at La Muette in the 16th arrondissement. Fewer crowds than the big museums.
Quai Branly and Pompidou: what you need to know
The Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac shows the arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, near the Eiffel Tower; it is closed on Monday and open until 22:00 on Thursday. We could not confirm the full price on the official site: expect about €14 and check before you go. The Centre Pompidou has been closed for renovation since 22 September 2025 until 2030. Only the Maison Pompidou (11:00-19:00, closed Tuesday, according to our information) has an exhibition, and the collections are shown at partner venues (Grand Palais, Musée d'art moderne de Paris…). For modern art, see the Musée d'art moderne de Paris, whose permanent collection is free.
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it?
The pass costs €85 (2 days), €105 (4 days) or €125 (6 days) and covers more than 50 sites, including the Louvre, Orsay, the Orangerie and the quai Branly. It pays off from four major sites in two days (non-EEA visitors); below that, single tickets are cheaper, and it does not exempt you from booking a slot at the Louvre. The detailed calculation is in Paris Museum Pass: review, and free entries in free museums in Paris. To compare official sellers and resellers: Paris museum tickets.
How to choose for your stay
- One day: Orsay in the morning, the Orangerie afterwards, or the Louvre alone.
- Two days: Louvre and Orsay, plus Rodin or the Orangerie.
- With children: a short guided Louvre tour, the Rodin museum garden.
- Tight budget: free museums, first Sundays, free for under-26 EU residents in national museums.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best museum in Paris for a first visit? The Louvre for scale, Orsay for Impressionism. If you only have half a day, Orsay is easier to cover.
Which day are Paris museums closed? The Louvre and the Orangerie on Tuesday; Orsay, Rodin, Picasso, Marmottan and the quai Branly on Monday.
Do I need to book? Yes for the Louvre and Orsay, which require a time slot. For the others it is recommended in high season.
Is the Centre Pompidou open? The building is closed for renovation from September 2025 to 2030; only the Maison Pompidou receives visitors.
