Reserved entrance ticket to the Orangerie: my review
Verdict: this is the ticket I recommend to almost everyone. It doesn't add anything to the visit, it sets the time. Reserved for 9 a.m. or for the Friday evening session, it puts you in front of the Water Lilies in almost empty rooms; reserved for 2 p.m. on a Saturday, it lets you enter without waiting in a crowded room. The ticket isn't the problem, the time slot is.
What the ticket does, and what it doesn't
You choose a date and time slot, you receive a voucher with a barcode per person, you show it at the “visitors with ticket” entrance, at the southwest corner of the Tuileries Garden, Concorde side. The ticket covers the permanent collection, so the two oval rooms of the Water Lilies on the ground floor and the Walter-Guillaume collection on level -2, as well as the current temporary exhibition. It does not include an audioguide or guide, and it is non-refundable: if you are unsure about the date, wait until you are sure.
Under 18s and 18-25 year-olds residing in the EU enter for free, but the museum still requires a time slot reservation. The first Sunday of the month is free for everyone and, on that day, booking a time slot becomes mandatory. Details are on the free Sunday page.
Included
- Timed entry on the chosen date and time slot
- Permanent collection: Water Lilies and Walter-Guillaume collection
- Current temporary exhibitions
- A voucher with barcode per person, on phone or printed
Not included
- Audio guide
- Guided tour
- Re-entry after exit
- Refund in case of cancellation
What reviews say
Over seven thousand reviews, a rating of 4.7, and an amazingly consistent tone: people are happy, and almost everyone talks about the crowds. Markus (Switzerland) sums up the average, "very impressive, lots of visitors but it was fine". Felicia (United States) was "in the first group to enter" and describes "a very easy and comfortable flow", which is exactly the effect of the 9 a.m. time slot. Elena (Norway) writes that booking in advance "was the right choice", that she skipped the line and came a bit early as advised.
On the artworks, the reviews are short and unnuanced: Gabriela (Mexico) finds it "simply beautiful, perfect if you love Monet", Lubomír (Slovakia) talks about the Monets and Picassos as "irresistible" works, Judith (Brazil) "will come back as soon as she can". Madeleine (Australia) found the audioguide "really informative"; useful detail, it is not included in this ticket, it is taken separately. The few disappointments concern the crowd in the first oval room in the middle of the day, never the museum itself.
What works
- The guaranteed time slot: the only thing that really changes the visit
- The simplest product, a barcode and nothing to activate
- Permanent collection and temporary exhibition included
- Free for under 18s and 18-25-year-olds from the EU
To know
- Non-refundable, even the day before
- No audioguide or guide: the basement is visited without explanation
- A slightly more expensive ticket than at the counter, it's the price of the chosen hour
- On Tuesdays, there are no time slots, the museum is closed
Who it's for, and who it's not for
For whom: anyone coming for the Water Lilies and willing to get up early or come on a Friday evening. Families, as children enter for free with a time slot. Visitors to Orsay who want to visit both museums on the same day and need a fixed time.
For whom not: those who want to understand the Walter-Guillaume collection, where a Derain next to a Soutine doesn't explain itself; the guided tour for six does that. Those who prefer commentary at their own pace will look at the ticket with audioguide. Those whose dates can change will lose their ticket and should know that before paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the advance ticket really skip the line?
It lets you enter through the "ticket holders" entrance, separate from the ticket booth. The line isn’t the real issue at the Orangerie: the museum is small and the wait is rarely long. What you’re buying is the time. Why this matters is explained on should you book.
Which time slot to choose?
The first, at 9 a.m., or the Friday evening opening during temporary exhibitions. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends, the two oval rooms are full. The off-peak hours calendar is on the best time to visit, and full opening hours on opening hours and closures.
Can I change the date after booking?
No. This ticket is non-refundable and only valid on the chosen date. If your dates are uncertain, the guided tour and the ticket with Seine cruise can be canceled for free up to 24 hours in advance.