Louvre vs Musée d'Orsay
Quick answer
Paris's two most searched museum pair: the world's largest encyclopedic collection versus the Impressionist temple in a Belle Époque railway station. World Museum Guide compares admission, highlights, and time needed side by side — both The Louvre and Musée d'Orsay have full visitor guides below.
Paris, France
The Louvre
€17 standard admission
⏱ 3–5 hours
Paris, France
Musée d'Orsay
€16 standard admission
⏱ 2–4 hours
Side by side
| The Louvre | Musée d'Orsay | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Paris, France | Paris, France |
| Museum type | Art Museum | Art Museum |
| Admission | €17 standard admission | €16 standard admission |
| Free entry | First Friday evening of each month (6–9:45 PM) · Under 26 (EU) free always · Bastille Day (14 July) | Under 18 free · First Sunday of each month free · Youth (under 26) free on Thursday evenings |
| Time needed | 3–5 hours | 2–4 hours |
| Closed | Tuesdays | Mondays |
| Standout works | Mona Lisa; Venus de Milo | A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte; Olympia |
| Good for | Art Lovers, History Enthusiasts, First-timers, Families | Art Lovers, First-timers, Rainy-day visits |
Facts from our verified data file (last verified 2026-06-30) — confirm on each museum's official site before travelling.
Choose The Louvre if…
Choose the Louvre for ancient civilisations, Old Masters, and the Mona Lisa — plan half a day minimum.
Choose Musée d'Orsay if…
Choose the Orsay for Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and Rodin in a more manageable 2–3 hour visit.
Visiting both
Many visitors do Orsay in the morning and a focused Louvre wing in the afternoon, or split across two days.