You open the Louvre website, type in your dates, and see nothing available. Two weeks ahead, still nothing. This happens to almost everyone and it's not bad luck.

Why Does This Happen?

After COVID, Paris museums moved to timed-entry ticketing. Instead of walk-in queues, everyone now books a slot in advance.

The problem is that tour operators use automated tools to buy up tickets in bulk as soon as new slots appear. By the time a normal visitor checks, they're gone.

This is worst at the Louvre and the Orsay, especially in summer (April to October). Winter is better but still not guaranteed.

Option 1 — Try the Official Website First

New slots appear every few days, and some are held back for last-minute bookings. The trick is to check again 3 to 4 days before your visit, not weeks ahead.

The Louvre: Tickets from €22.

OfficialLouvre — Online Ticket OfficeCheapest option (€22). Check 3 to 4 days before your visit.

The Orsay: Tickets from €16. Same advice — check a few days before your visit.

OfficialOrsay — Online Ticket OfficeTry here first (€16). Check a few days before your visit.

If the official Orsay site is sold out, you can also get entry tickets on GetYourGuide. Usually available, and only slightly more expensive. Don't pay more than €20.

GetYourGuideOrsay — Entry TicketsAvailable when the official site is full. Don't pay more than €20.

Option 2 — Book a Guided Visit

Tour operators hold their own ticket allocations and bundle them into guided visits. You pay more (around €30 to €50), but entry is guaranteed and a guide is included.

Always try the official site first. But if the Louvre is the one thing you really want to do, this is a real and legitimate option.

GetYourGuideLouvre — Guided VisitReserved access with a guide. More expensive but guaranteed entry.
GetYourGuideOrsay — Guided Impressionism Visit (ticket included)Guided tour with entry ticket. Great if the official site is sold out.

Our Advice

  1. Check the official site 3 to 4 days before your visit. New slots do appear.
  2. If it's fully booked, the guided visits above are worth it. The Orsay Impressionism tour in particular is excellent.
  3. Don't buy from street sellers or random websites. Unofficial resellers are illegal in France and the tickets are often not valid.
  4. The free city museums are always open, no booking needed — Petit Palais, Musée Carnavalet, and more.

The Free Museums

Paris has 14 museums run by the city that are free for everyone. No booking, no queue, just walk in. Full list on the Paris city website.

Our favourites: the Petit Palais (beautiful Beaux-Arts building, great collection) and the Musée Carnavalet (the history of Paris told through objects, in two Marais mansions). Both calm and underrated.

We're Quentin, Thomas and Christina, a small team of passionate Parisians who came together to show you Paris 🇫🇷.

In our tours, we take you one street away from the crowds, in the hidden heart of the city ❤️