Heatwave: Orsay Museum to close early during peak heat

In the face of an exceptional heatwave currently hitting Paris and the Île-de-France region, the Orsay Museum adapts its opening hours. The Parisian institution announces an early closure at 5 p.m. from July 11 to 15, 2026. This unprecedented measure comes as the red heatwave vigilance remains in effect in the region, with temperatures flirting with 38°C.

Specifically, the museum's last entry will be allowed at 4:00 p.m., while access to the permanent and temporary exhibitions will remain open until 4:15 p.m. The galleries will begin to close gradually from 4:30 p.m., ahead of the building's final closure at 5:00 p.m. The museum apologizes for the inconvenience and asks the public to plan their visit accordingly.

• To be read
• Top picks of the week: October 19–25, 2026 in Paris and Île-de-France

The Orsay Museum isn’t the only cultural site adjusting its operations. Across Paris and Île-de-France, several museums, monuments and visitor sites are changing hours or access rules due to the heat. The Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Expiatory Chapel or the Palais de Tokyo are among sites that may be affected by adaptations, partial closures, or altered hours depending on how the situation unfolds.

Musée d'Orsay: booking, prices, free admission, tips and current exhibitions
Would you like to visit the Musée d'Orsay, one of Europe's most visited museums and home to the world's largest collection of Impressionist paintings? We'll be happy to give you all the tips and tricks you need, as well as the works to discover, the current exhibitions, and the rates and free admission available, so you can make the most of your visit in the best possible conditions. [Read more]

Housed in the former Orsay railway station along the banks of the Seine, the museum stands as one of the capital’s premier cultural landmarks. It is home to one of the world's most important collections of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, with masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, and Cézanne.

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