Musée d'Orsay vs Centre Pompidou: which should you visit?
Quick answer
Centre Pompidou is closed until 2030, so Musée d'Orsay is the one you can visit now. Musée d'Orsay: €16 online, allow 2–4 hours. Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou are two of Paris's essential museums — both art museums.
Paris, France
Musée d'Orsay
€16 online; €14 at the museum; Thursday late entry from 6 PM €12 online
⏱ 2–4 hours
Paris, France
Centre Pompidou
Closed for renovation — Centre Pompidou exhibitions at partner venues such as the Grand Palais are ticketed separately
⏱ 2–3 hours
Side by side
| Musée d'Orsay | Centre Pompidou | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Paris, France | Paris, France |
| Museum type | Art Museum | Art Museum |
| Admission | €16 online; €14 at the museum; Thursday late entry from 6 PM €12 online | Closed for renovation — Centre Pompidou exhibitions at partner venues such as the Grand Palais are ticketed separately |
| Free entry | Under 18 free · EU/EEA citizens and long-term EU residents aged 18–25 free · First Sunday of each month free for all (time-slot booking required) · Disabled visitors + 1 companion free | — |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours | 2–3 hours |
| Closed | Mondays | — |
| Standout works | A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte; Olympia | Fontaine; The Frame |
| Good for | Art Lovers, First-timers, Rainy-day visits | Art Lovers, First-timers |
Facts from our verified data file (last verified 2026-09-25) — confirm on each museum's official site before travelling.
Should I visit Musée d'Orsay or Centre Pompidou?
Choose Musée d'Orsay if…
Choose Musée d'Orsay for A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and Olympia — admission is €16 online. Allow 2–4 hours.
Choose Centre Pompidou if…
Choose Centre Pompidou for Fontaine and The Frame — admission is closed for renovation — Centre Pompidou exhibitions at partner venues such as the Grand Palais are ticketed separately. Allow 2–3 hours.
Can you visit both Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou in one day?
Both are in Paris. With 2–4 hours suggested for one and 2–3 hours for the other, combining both in a single day is ambitious — two days is more comfortable. Note closures: Musée d'Orsay closes on Mondays.