Travel Experiences for Kids: Visiting the Orsay Museum

The city of Paris is world-renowned for its legendary art museums, attracting millions of visitors per year. These museums are not just for adults.  With a little planning and realistic expectations, kids can also enjoy a fun and educational visit to an art museum. The Orsay Museum (or Musee Orsay), with its inviting Impressionist masterpieces, in particular stands out as a great destination for families with children. This article covers making the most of your Orsay visit with children.

Is it Worthwhile Visiting the Orsay Museum with Kids?

In short, yes!  On the surface, the Orsay Museum may seem like a museum geared more towards adults.  While that is partially true, there are several reasons children will also enjoy visiting:

• Navigation: Compared to the Louvre, the Orsay is smaller and easier to navigate for young kids. Almost all of the artwork is located on three floors: zero, two, and five. Additionally, there are plenty of places to rest for a few minutes.
• Wow Factor: The museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay train station. Kids will love standing in the central exhibition hall and staring up at the beautiful glass ceiling. They will also love taking pictures at one of the two giant translucent clocks upstairs.
• Subject Matter: In general, Impressionist art is light and optimistic in subject matter: think fields of flowers and portraits with bright colors. In contrast, our kids were a bit frightened at some of the violent and bloody art at the Louvre.
• Kids Are Free: If your children are eighteen years old or younger, they can visit the Orsay for free!  They still need a ticket, however, and that should be reserved in advance
• Start Them Young: You are already in Paris.  Don’t miss a golden opportunity to expose your children to some of the most famous art in the world!

Preparing for Visiting the Orsay Museum with Kids

Before your visit, it's a good idea to start preparing your children ahead of time. They may already be familiar with some of the Orsay’s most famous works, such as Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Bedroom in Arles. A good next step would be to introduce them to additional artists and masterpieces they will encounter during their visit to the Orsay. Introduce them to Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Paul Cezanne, Auguste Rodin, and other impressionist artists that can spark excitement and curiosity.

From a logistics standpoint, it is very wise to purchase tickets in advance.  For adults older than 25, tickets are 16 Euros each.  For age 18-25, the tickets are 11 Euros each.  Any person younger than 18 are free.  Even children who enter free need a ticket.  Obtain all your tickets in advance of your visit here: https://billetterie.musee-orsay.fr/en-GB/home

 

When is a Good Time to Visit the Orsay Museum with Kids?

The Orsay Museum is open Tuesdays-Sundays from 9:30am to 6:00pm. If you are visiting with kids, the best times to visit are weekdays as early as possible. We had 9:30 tickets when we visited the Orsay in July 2023, and we were able to see much of the museum before the crowds piled in by late morning. For the last twenty to thirty minutes of our visit, the exhibit halls were quite crowded with waits to see some of the more famous works.

How Much Time Should You Spend in the Orsay Museum with Kids?

The goal of visiting the Orsay with kids is to spark their interest in art and culture without making them hate museums forever.  With that in mind, it is probably best to limit your visit to ninety minutes at most.  If you arrive when the doors open at 9:30, you can wrap up by late morning as the crowds begin to form. However, each kid is different so follow their lead.

Engaging the Kids: A Recommended Orsay Visit Itinerary

A major key to a successful visit to the Orsay is keeping the kids engaged. In that spirit, here is a loose itinerary to keep things educational but light and well-paced.

Sculptures: When you first enter the museum, head down the stairs to the main exhibition hall.  This is where all of the sculptures, including Rodin, are located. The children can also gaze up in awe at the magnificent ceiling.  Additionally, this is a great way to get your bearings as the main exhibition hall is smack in the middle of the museum.

The City Under the Floor: At the far end of the sculpture hall (away from the main entrance) is an exhibit my kids really enjoyed during our visit.  There is a scale model of the city of Paris under glass that the children can walk over.  Try to locate famous landmarks or the street that your hotel is on.

The Masterpieces: Head up the stairs or elevator to the fifth floor.  This is where all the heavy-hitter Impressionist art is located, including Cezannes, Van Goghs, Monets and Manets. Assuming you arrived when the museum opened, the halls should be relatively quiet, allowing your children to get up close and personal with world famous works.

Other Artwork of Note: While the crowds start to stuff the Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, et al halls, use the remainder of your visit to admire art on the second floor as well as on the ground floor (there are “mini” halls located around the perimeter of the main exhibition hall (sculptures).

Lunch Time: Head out for a well-earned lunch or grab a bit inside the museum.

During your visit, encourage your children to share their thoughts about the paintings and sculptures. What message was the artist trying to convey? To keep the kids even more engaged, consider “gamifying” the museum by creating a scavenger hunt.  To download one of ours, visit our store here.

Take Breaks

Even though the Orsay is manageable for kids, it is still important to take breaks. Most exhibition halls have benches.  Additionally, the main exhibition hall has plenty of places to kick back and amongst awe-inspiring sculptures.  If the troops are getting hungry (or the parents need caffeine), the café behind the museum's giant clock offers amazing views of Paris.

Conclusion

A morning in the Orsay Museum with Van Gogh, Manet, Monet, and friends is a great introduction to Impressionist Art for your kids. With some preparation and a patient approach, you can turn a museum visit into an unforgettable experience that is equal parts learning and fun.