Louvre vs Orsay: Which to Visit First in Paris
The Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay are the two biggest names in Paris art and most travelers ask the same question on day one. Which one do I visit first?
This 2026 comparison breaks down size, art period, time needed, prices and crowd patterns so you can pick the right one for your style of trip.
Start with the Louvre if you only have one museum morning, because it is the one that sells out and the one that needs the most energy. The Essential Louvre Masterpieces Tour, Limited to Six Guests starts from around 179 euros, rates 5.0 with 213 reviews and lasts 150 minutes. Keep the Orsay for the afternoon, where The Musée d'Orsay in Focus starts from around 159 euros with 5.0 from 44 reviews. Prices are estimates.
- A guided Louvre visit runs 150 minutes, the Orsay equivalent runs 120 minutes
- Both formats include museum entry and cap the group at six guests
- Best for travellers with two or three days who cannot fit both in one morning
- The Louvre needs 2 to 3 weeks of lead time, the Orsay usually 3 to 5 days
- The Orsay closes on Mondays and the Louvre closes on Tuesdays, so plan around it
Six guests maximum and a route built around the twenty works most people actually come to see.
Check availability →Starting price, estimated and set by the booking platform, not by us.
The Orsay version of the same small group format, focused on the impressionist floor and the clock room.
Check availability →Starting price, estimated and set by the booking platform, not by us.
What you see at the Louvre
The Louvre covers human art from ancient Egypt to 1848. The headline pieces are the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory and the Napoleon apartments.
You need 3 to 5 hours minimum just for the highlights. The building itself is a former royal palace and is part of the visit.
Book this tour: Family Friendly Louvre Museum Private Guided Tour →
What you see at the Musée d'Orsay
The Orsay starts where the Louvre ends, in 1848, and runs through 1914. It holds the world's largest collection of Impressionist art, with Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Degas.
The building is a converted Belle Époque train station and the central nave is one of the most photogenic museum spaces in Europe.
Which one is faster to visit
The Orsay takes 2 to 3 hours and is laid out across 5 floors that flow naturally. You can see the main rooms without a map and without rushing.
The Louvre is 5 times bigger. Even with a guide you only scratch the surface in half a day. Pick a wing in advance if your time is limited.
Which one has shorter lines
The Louvre has the longest queues in Paris. Even with a skip the line ticket you should book a 9 AM or 6 PM Wednesday or Friday slot.
The Orsay has manageable queues outside French school holidays. Booking a 9.30 AM slot puts you in the Impressionist galleries before the tour groups arrive at 11.
Which one to visit first
If you have only one day, visit the Orsay in the morning and walk to the Louvre after lunch for a focused 2 hour tour of just the headline pieces.
If you have two full days, do the Louvre on day one with a guided tour so you cover ground efficiently, then the Orsay on day two at your own pace.
Both museums deserve a visit. The Louvre overwhelms but rewards patience. The Orsay enchants with a tighter focus on the late 19th century. For a first trip we recommend booking the Louvre first because it sells out, then adding the Orsay for the next day or two days later.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do the Louvre and the Orsay on the same day?
Which museum is better for a first trip to Paris?
Is the Orsay less crowded than the Louvre?
Do guided tours include the museum ticket?
Ready to plan? Browse our Louvre tickets.