Musée d'Orsay vs Centre Pompidou
Quick answer
Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou are two of Paris's essential museums — both art museums. Here is how they compare on admission, highlights, and time needed. World Museum Guide compares admission, highlights, and time needed side by side — both Musée d'Orsay and Centre Pompidou have full visitor guides below.
Paris, France
Musée d'Orsay
€16 standard admission
⏱ 2–4 hours
Paris, France
Centre Pompidou
€15 standard admission
⏱ 2–3 hours
Side by side
| Musée d'Orsay | Centre Pompidou | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Paris, France | Paris, France |
| Museum type | Art Museum | Art Museum |
| Admission | €16 standard admission | €15 standard admission |
| Free entry | Under 18 free · First Sunday of each month free · Youth (under 26) free on Thursday evenings | — |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours | 2–3 hours |
| Closed | Mondays | Tuesdays |
| 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 2026-06-30) — confirm on each museum's official site before travelling.
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 standard admission. Allow 2–4 hours.
Choose Centre Pompidou if…
Choose Centre Pompidou for Fontaine and The Frame — admission is €15 standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visiting both
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; Centre Pompidou closes on Tuesdays.