Opening hours of the Musée de l'Orangerie
On Tuesdays
Part of the questions I receive come from people who arrived on a Tuesday in front of a closed door, sometimes with a ticket reserved for that day because the platform didn't flinch. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, all year round. Orsay, on the other hand, is closed on Mondays, which traps those who chain the two. Check the day before choosing the time.
The ordinary day
The doors open at 9 am. Between 9 am and 10 am, the oval rooms are at their quietest, it's the time I recommend on all the pages of this site. The last entry is at 5:15 pm; at 5:45 pm the guards start closing the rooms, usually from level -2. Arriving at 5 pm to "just see the Water Lilies" is possible, but you will have thirty minutes and a room that empties around you, which is not unpleasant. Level -2, on the other hand, deserves to arrive earlier: 146 paintings are not seen in half an hour, and that's where the closing starts.
Friday night
During temporary exhibitions, the museum stays open on Fridays until 9 PM. The reduced rate applies from 6 PM, the last entry is at 8:15 PM and evacuation begins at 8:45 PM. This is my second favorite time after opening: tourists are having dinner, Parisiens haven't arrived yet. The late opening only happens when an exhibition is on, so it's not guaranteed all year. What it costs is explained qualitatively on the prices page.
Public holidays
The museum is closed on May 1st and December 25th, and only opens in the afternoon on July 14th. On other public holidays, it is open at usual times, and it is often busier on these days, as Parisiens come with their families. A public holiday falling on a Tuesday remains a Tuesday. On the first Sunday of the month, entry is free and time slots are mandatory; it's described on free on Sunday.
What works
- Opening at 9 AM, one hour before the garden fills up
- A late opening with reduced rates during exhibitions
- Stable opening hours, the same all year
- One weekly closing day
To know
- Closed on Tuesdays, no matter what your booking app says
- Last entry at 5:15 PM, not 6 PM
- Evening opening only during temporary exhibitions
- On July 14th, open in the afternoon only
Book the 9 am slot on the least crowded day of your stay, never a Tuesday, and check that an exhibition is on if you're counting on the evening opening. To choose the day, the page best time to visit compares the seasons.
How much time to allow
Once inside, count 1 h to 1 h 30. The room-by-room details are on visit duration, and access from Concorde metro station on getting there by metro.
Book a time slot
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Musée de l'Orangerie open on Tuesdays?
No. The museum is closed every Tuesday, all year round. If you can only come on a Tuesday, go to Orsay instead, which is closed on Mondays. See Orsay or Orangerie.
What time should I arrive to be quiet?
At 9 a.m., at opening time, or on Fridays after 6 p.m. during exhibitions. See the best time.
Is there a late-night opening every Friday?
No, only during temporary exhibition periods. The rate is then reduced from 6 p.m., explained on the pricing page.
Until what time can I enter?
Until 5:15 p.m. during the day, 8:15 p.m. during late-night openings. The rooms close from 5:45 p.m. For a complete visit, plan 1 hour 30 minutes; see visit duration.