Orsay Ticket with Audioguide: My Review
Verdict: the highest-rated ticket on this list, and the only one that includes an audio guide. Orsay is all about the context: dozens of Monets, Manets, the entire Impressionist panorama in a former train station. Timing matters, just like at the Orangerie, and two out of three reviews mention skipping the line. Most importantly, remember that both Orsay and the Marmottan are closed on Mondays and both stay open late on Thursdays: that’s the day to visit them back-to-back.
What the ticket includes
One date, one time slot, audio guide included, and an ID to present. The ticket covers the permanent collection and the current temporary exhibition. Entry is single-use: once you leave, you can’t re-enter. During renovations, from 2026 to 2028, access is via the “Quay Entrance – 1,” so it’s best to know that before looking for the usual door. The cloakroom is limited to 56 × 45 × 25 cm: no suitcases.
Orsay is closed on Mondays, May 1st, and December 25th, and open on Thursdays until 9:45 PM. The Marmottan is also closed on Mondays and open on Thursdays until 9 PM. If you want to visit both on the same day, Thursday is the day: the Marmottan in the late afternoon when it’s quieter, then Orsay for the evening opening, or the other way around. The Marmottan’s opening hours are on their page.
Included
- Timed-entry ticket, permanent collection and temporary exhibition
- Audio guide included
- Wheelchair accessible
- Thursday late opening until 9:45 PM
Not included
- Re-entry allowed after exit
- Guided tour
- Cloakroom for luggage over 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- The Musée Marmottan Monet (separate ticket, at the door)
What the reviews say
Nearly twenty-eight thousand reviews, a 4.7 rating. Andrew (Australia) sums up what many feel: "a better Louvre, more compact, less overwhelming." Marianna (Italy) talks about "seeing the Impressionists in person after studying them," and Katerina (Sweden) writes that for Impressionism lovers, the museum is a marvel. Geraldine (UK) "walked right in, no queue," Tania Elena (Mexico) confirms that "everything worked smoothly, no queue on Thursday evening," which aligns with my advice on the late opening.
Marta (Brazil) had an "excellent experience with the audio guide, very detailed," and that’s the advantage of this ticket compared to a basic one. The most useful feedback comes from Serkan (Turkey): "big museum, packed on Tuesdays." It makes sense—on Tuesdays, the Orangerie and the Louvre are closed, and everyone heads to Orsay. Avoid Tuesdays; opt for Thursday evenings instead.
What works
- Audio guide included, which reviews praise
- The only one of Paris's three Monet museums where you’ll also see Manet
- Thursday night opening, same evening as the Marmottan
- Wheelchair accessible
Good to know
- On Tuesdays, the museum absorbs visitors from the Orangerie and the Louvre
- Single entry, no re-entry: plan for a half-day in one go
- Closed on Mondays, like the Marmottan
- Entrance modified during renovations, until 2028
Who it's for, and who it's not for
For those who want to place the Marmottan’s Monets in their era, alongside Manet, Degas, and Renoir. For those who still mix up the two artists, to whom Monet or Manet offers answers before the visit. For those with two days in Paris following the which museums to visit guide.
Not for those who only want Monet, for whom the Marmottan alone—without booking—and the Orangerie are enough. Not for those with just an hour, whom Orsay will overwhelm. Not for those looking for Berthe Morisot’s The Cradle at the Marmottan: it’s at Orsay, as explained on the Berthe Morisot page. Full details are on the Orsay ticket page.
Frequently asked questions
Is Monet at Orsay or at the Marmottan?
At both. Orsay displays several dozen in its panorama of the entire era, while the Marmottan has over a hundred, including Impression, soleil levant. Manet, however, is only at Orsay. The count per museum is on where to see Monet in Paris.
Is Thursday evening really the best time?
According to reviews, yes: no queue and fewer people. Orsay stays open until 9:45 PM and the Marmottan until 9:00 PM on the same evening, so you can visit both in one go. The Marmottan’s quietest slots are on the best time to visit.
How much time should I allow at Orsay?
Half a day, with no re-entry allowed. If you visit the Marmottan on the same day, allow an hour and a half for it, as mentioned on how much time to allow, and save the afternoon or evening for Orsay.