musee d orsay paris online tour

Go on a virtual tour of Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay recently announced that a major expansion is in the works. With the support of a €20 million donation from an anonymous American donor, they will expand their exhibition space and create new centers for education and research.

Located on the Left Bank of the Seine, the museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. The museum houses mostly French art dating from 1848 to 1914 including the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world.

While you’re staying at home during the COVID-19 crisis, take a virtual tour of this popular destination in Paris. You’ll experience a close-up tour of the unique building and some of its most popular collections.

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Musée d'Orsay The Orsay Museum

• Paris Museums & Monuments
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The Orsay Museum: 7 Cool Things to See & Do

The Orsay Museum   (Musée d'Orsay ), located on Paris's Left Bank in a repurposed Belle Époque train station overlooking the Seine, sometimes gets overshadowed by the much larger and more famous Louvre Museum just across the river. 

But the Orsay's many treasures absolutely earn it a spot on your Paris "bucket list" - in fact, many visitors say it's their favorite museum in the city. 

The Orsay is where you'll see the world's best collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art - masterpieces by Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Pierre-August Renoir, and other famous artists.

Plus, you'll find a lot more to see and do here in addition to the art, including a few surprises. 

So take a look at our recommendations for 7 cool things to see and do at the Musée d'Orsay.  You'll thank us!

What's the best way to visit the Orsay Museum?

Especially if this is your first visit to Musée d'Orsay, a semi-private or private tour  led by an expert guide will bring the art to life for you and helping you make the best use of your time in Paris by leading you to the most important exhibits. 

Traveling with kids?  This private guided tour for families makes sure everyone has a great experience.

Prefer to go on your own?  Save time by getting a  reserved-access ticket  online. 

If you have a Paris Museum Pass, you can enter free - just reserve your date and time slot online.

Top photo:  Musée d'Orsay, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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7 Cool Things to See & Do at Musée d'Orsay

1.  feel dazzled by the orsay museum's most iconic art.

To experience the mesmerizing interplay of colors, light, and shapes on canvases by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists, head straight to the galleries on the museum's 5th level where you'll find room after room filled with stunning masterpieces. 

Visitor Tip:   Curators at the Orsay move and swap out some of the art daily, and even large displays such as Impressionist paintings can shift to different floors.  Take one of the free museum brochures as you enter if you want to know current locations of collections, and ask at the Reception Desk if you need more specific information.

These are the paintings that rightfully make the Orsay famous, as the crowds of fans surrounding the photos demonstrate, so for some paintings - almost anything by Van Gogh, for example - you'll need patience to get a good view. 

But the effort is worth it. 

No matter how many times you may have seen photographs or prints of these paintings, the experience of viewing the originals is so much better.  A camera can't adequately capture the nuances of color, reflections of light, and the 3-dimensionality of brush strokes on canvas you'll see in real life. 

The Orsay's lighting is superb, and the museum lets you to get up close to these masterpieces without risking the embarrassment of setting off the alarm system. 

Today, Impressionist art in no way seems radical or even innovative because we're used to it - it's part of our cultural landscape.  Even if we don't view Renoirs or Monets on a daily basis (and how many people do?), we see their influence in colorful, light-filled images on greeting cards, advertisements, and Instagram.

But when Impressionism burst upon the Parisian cultural scene in the early 1860s after a group of young French painters including Monet, Renoir, Alfred Sisley, and Frédéric Bazille plus the somewhat older Édouard Manet rebelled against the rigid constraints of "Academic" painting then in vogue, the establishment artists felt rocked to their core.

For over 3 centuries, the French  Académie des Beaux-Arts defined what art should look like by blocking "deviant" artists from showing their work at the prestigious annual Salon de Paris art show, a source of coveted prizes, commissions, and publicity.

The Academic style favored by the Academy favored realistic depictions of historical or mythological scenes, preferably in mostly dark colors often topped with a yellowish-brown glaze. 

In contrast, Impressionist artists embraced brighter, lighter colors with spontaneous (vs controlled) brush strokes to create subjective "impressions" of landscapes and contemporary life.  

Unsurprisingly, the Academy barred most of the Impressionists' work from being shown at the 1863 Salon, but after Napoleon III (who had seized power and appointed himself as Emperor in 1851) looked at the rejected paintings, he decreed that the public should judge. 

Even with Napoleon III's intervention, the first Paris exhibition of Impressionist art did not take place until 1874 when 30 artists banded together to put on their own show.  Most critics panned it - but the public loved it because they felt it resonated with modern life.

One reason why Impressionist art remains so popular today is its accessibility.   We don't need art history expertise to appreciate the joie de vivre in the interplay between light and colors. 

We can easily relate to the everyday scenes and places; in fact; stroll down almost any street in Paris, and you'll see outdoor cafes just like the ones the Impressionists painted.  Stand on the banks of the Seine River on a dark night and you can feel the same magic Van Gogh tried to capture as he painted the stars over the Rhône River.

Make the 45-minute trip to Monet's home in Giverny, and you'll see the pond day lilies he featured in so many of his most famous works of art.

By the time Impressionism reached its peak around the mid-1880s, artists were already pushing its boundaries as the Post-Impressionism movement emerged. 

Artists initially continued to focus - mostly - on real-life subjects, but they applied their paint thicker, choose more vibrant and less unnaturalistic colors, and played with shapes, often deliberately distorting or changing "reality" and sometimes using geometric and abstract forms. 

As you will see as you walk through the galleries featuring Post-Impressionist art, this was not a unified movement or a specific style. 

Some Post-Impressionist artists focused on blocks of color, rendering their subjects on a flat plane.  Others fell under the spell of Japanese woodblock prints.  Still others turned to decorative arts. 

An influential group of young French artists who called themselves Les Nabis turned away from painting what they saw in real life to making their art about symbols, metaphors, and meanings.  

Look closely, and you can see the beginnings of Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, and Surrealism as the 1890s gave way to the 20th century and ushered in what we regard as the modern art period. 

Want to see more of the art that grew out of the Post-Impressionism movement?  Head over to Centre Pompidou (home to the Musée National d'Art Moderne) and the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris at the Palais de Tokyo and immerse yourself in their extraordinary collections of contemporary and modern art.

But first, there's a lot more to see and do at the Orsay.

Reserve Your Tickets Now:

• Reserved-Access Ticket - Get priority admission
• Paris Museum Pass - Free admission with this pass
• Private or Semi-Private Guided Tour - For first-time visitors:  see the museum's most important art + hidden gems
• Private or Semi-Private Guided Tour of Orsay Museum and Louvre Museum - See the masterpieces, plus other top selections at both museums
• Guided Visit for Families with Children - Private tour designed to hold your kids' attention while showing you the top masterpieces

2.  Explore Musée d'Orsay's Stunning Art Nouveau Furniture

Although best known for its art collections, the Orsay Museum's Decorative Arts collection of furniture and decorative items, especially for the Art Nouveau period with its flowing lines and organic shapes based on nature, is unsurpassed. 

Like Impressionism, Art Nouveau grew out of a rebellion against the academic approach to architecture and interior design and decoration, and flourished for a relatively short time between 1890 and 1910, reaching its peak at the 1900 Paris International Exposition. 

By the time World War I ended, so had Art Nouveau, replaced seemingly overnight by Art Deco and Modernism.

To develop its Art Nouveau Decorative Arts collection, the Orsay acquired pieces from museums all over the country prior to its opening in 1986, and has continued to enrich its holdings since that time with superb examples by the French and international giants of this movement.

You'll be dazzled by the huge variety of pieces from the masters of this movement:  Hector Guimard, Alexandre Charpentier, Louis Majorelle, Emile Gallé, Carlo Bugatti, Victor Horta, François-Rupert Carabin, Alphonse Mucha, Louis Tiffany, Charles Plumet, René Lalique, Eugene Gaillard, Émile Gallé, Jean Dampt, and too many more to name.

The Orsay Museum currently displays pieces from its now-vast Art Nouveau collection in galleries and large spaces on the Ground floor and Second level. 

Even if you only have enough time for a quick walk-through, do it, because the Musee d'Orsay's collection is the best in the world. 

3.  See the Statue of Liberty Up Close at the Orsay

Since 2011, the museum has had its own Lady Liberty - look for her soon after you pass through the entrance. 

This one, like the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor given to the United States by the people of France in 1886, was created by Frédéric Bartholdi - but unlike the 151 foot (46 m) tall original, this one measures not quite 10 feet tall (slightly under 3 m) and was created more than a decade after the original.

Fun Fact:  You can see two other Statues of Liberty in Paris, plus a full-sized golden replica of her torch called the Flame of Liberty near the Pont de l'Alma bridge at Place Diana in the 16th arrondissement.

4.  Stroll Among More Statues

Sculpture as an art form enjoyed immense popularity during the 1800s, not only in galleries and museums but also in private homes where the upper bourgeoisie displayed it to show their elevated status and taste. 

As Italian architect/interior designer Gae Aulenti's plans for transforming the space to include 80 galleries on three levels, numerous display platforms and pedestals, and plenty of natural light streaming through the glass roof took shape, it became clear that the new museum would be ideal for viewing sculptural art.

But where could the museum find the sculpture?

By the time the plan to convert the old Gare d'Orsay railway station into an art museum took root in the 1970s, sculpture from the previous century had been out of favor for decades.

Accumulating paintings, photographs, and decorative arts for the new museum was relatively easy (curators simply raided other museums including the Louvre, Jeu de Paume, Musée du Luxembourg, and Musée d'Art Moderne), but pulling together a richly representative collection of sculpture created between 1848 and 1914 took some digging - almost literally, in one case.

Curators for the future Orsay scoured other museums throughout Paris and the French provinces, often discovering fantastic pieces in forgotten storage areas. 

Some sculptural works turned up in unexpected places:   the top of a tower in a small town in western France, an old fort in a Paris suburb, abandoned kitchens in a royal chateau once restored by Napoleon. 

Acquisitions from private collections yielded other treasures. 

Perhaps the most epic discovery involved rescuing the massive Six Continents statues designed for Trocadéro Palace for the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1878 from a city garbage dump in Nantes.  The curators scored all six in exchange for a painting by Sisley.

When you walk by on your way in or out of the Orsay, take a moment to admire them - they really are fantastic.

And of course, spend time admiring the museum's other sculptures, indoor and outside, as well as the statues perched on the building itself. 

5.  Pose in Front of the Orsay's Giant Clock

Musée d'Orsay actually boasts three enormous clocks:  the magnificent gold clock dripping with fancy ornamentation near the building's entrance, plus the two elegant glass and steel-framed clocks inset in the former railway station's towers overlooking the Seine.

Once you're inside the museum, you can easily spot the golden clock on the glass wall near the entrance.  Gare d'Orsay architect Victor Laloux designed the Belle Époque beauty and placed it in a highly visible spot so that no one would miss their train - you can position yourself in front of it (at a distance) for a photo, but getting the perspective right is a little tricky, especially when the museum is crowded.

One of the glass clocks is also relatively easy to find ... if you have lunch in the Cafe Campana brasserie on the museum's 5th level, where the clock forms one of the restaurant's walls. 

But unfortunately, tables next to the clock serve to discourage close-up poses.

The other glass clock is where you will get the best photos as well as spectacular views of the Seine and the Right Bank - but finding it is not so easy unless you know where to look. 

Here's how to find it.  Head to the end of museum away from the entrance, and go up to the 5th level.  Depending on whether you take the stairs, escalator, or elevator, you'll emerge in a slightly different place - but walk toward the Seine-side of the building where the galleries are located, and you'll spot the clock near the corner.

The views and photo opps are 100% worth the effort of finding this clock!

6.  Check Out Musée Orsay's Special Exhibits

The Orsay Museum presents several special exhibits each year - sometimes a deep dive into an artist's body of work, such as the recent blockbuster Van Gogh exhibit, sometimes an exploration of a particular theme, and occasionally a close look at an interesting contemporary artist. 

Your ticket to the museum includes these special exhibits along with the regular collections, and they are almost always interesting - so be sure to look for them while you're there!

Find current and upcoming exhibitions at Musée d'Orsay

7.  Enjoy a Drink and Awesome Views on the Orsay's Almost-Secret Summer Terrace

One of the Orsay Museum's best-kept secrets is its Terrasse d'Été - Summer Terrace - perched high above the city with lovely views of the Seine River, the Louvre, and in the distance, even Sacre Coeur perched high on its hill in Montmartre.

To find it, use the escalator, elevator, or stairs near the museum's entrance and go up to the 5th floor.  Follow the signs to Cafe Compana.  Next to its entrance, you'll see a narrow passage to the right that leads to the terrace and a small snack bar where you can buy drinks and pastries.  Bask in the sunshine while you relax and enjoy the views!

How to Visit & Tour Musée d'Orsay

Here's our "cheat sheet" to all the best ways to experience the Orsay:

Guided Museum Tours

What's the best way to experience the Orsay Museum? 

To get the most from your experience, book a tour led by an expert guide.  Here are the best current tours:

• Private Musée d'Orsay Guided Tour - With your guide, you and your group of up to 4 will see all the great world-famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, as well as major works of Neoclassicism, Realism, and Symbolism.  Book now
• Small Group Guided Tour - Designed for first-time visitors, this tour lets you see the Orsay's highlights plus lesser-known gems, with a focus on Manet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Gauguin.  Book now
• Private Tour for Families with Children - This guided tour for you and your family will hold your kids' attention while showing you the museum's most famous masterpieces.  Book now
• Small Group Tour: Louvre Museum & Musée d'Orsay - You and your expert guide will tour Paris's two most important museums as you experience art masterpieces from Ancient Greece to French Impressionism.  Book now

Guided Bike Tour

• Paris Highlights & Secrets - If you want to see the Orsay Museum (and other top Paris sights as well as some hidden gems from the outside only and hear interesting stories about them from your knowledgeable guide while biking through the city, this is the tour for you!  Book now

Skip the Line Tickets

• Reserved-Access Ticket
• Paris Museum Pass - You get free admission to the Orsay plus 60+ other Paris attractions such as the Louvre, Versailles, and Arc de Triomphe; choose a 2, 4, or 6 day pass
• Paris Pass - Includes a Paris Museum Pass, plus a hop on/hop off Big Bus sightseeing tour, free travel on the Paris public transportation system, and discounts at restaurants and shops

Combo Tickets

• Orsay Guided Impressionist Tour & Gourmet Lunch   - See the famous Impressionist paintings and have lunch with wine in the museum's posh onsite restaurant
• Orsay Museum + Montmartre Skip the Line Guided Tour - Immerse yourself in art as you explore the origins of Impressionism at the Orsay and visit the charming village-neighborhood of Montmartre, home to many artists during the Belle Epoque era; private & semi-private options available

Orsay History: From Belle Époque Train Station to Top Paris Museum

Musée d'Orsay occupies a former train station, Gare d'Orsay, built within a two-year time period for Paris's Universal Exhibition in 1900.  The station showcased the first world's first electrified city rail terminal, and served as the arrival and departure point for destinations southwest of Paris - you can still see the names of these cities and towns written across the front of the building.   

In addition to 16 tracks and other infrastructure related to train operations, the building also included a 370-guestroom luxury hotel at the southwestern corner of the building which continued operating until 1973.  

Although the hotel no longer exists, you can (and should) visit the hotel's grand Belle Époque restaurant, now called Le Restaurant, and see the glamorous crystal chandeliers and elaborate gilded and painting ceiling and walls.

Advances in technology soon resulted in longer electric trains, making the station obsolete for long-distance runs due to its too-short tracks.  By 1939, it could be used only for shorter suburban trains.

At that point, the station became the proverbial "cat with 9 lives" as it served as a mail depot during World War II, an exchange center for war prisoners, a film set, a city parking lot, a storage site, a temporary auction house, a vaudeville theatre, and a pop-up exhibition center.

In the end, preservationists prevailed.  Permission to tear down the station in order to build a large international hotel on the site was denied in 1971, and within a few years, plans were underway to transform the space into a museum focused on art from 1848, cut-off for the Louvre, through 1914, where Centre Pompidou begins.  

The new museum opened to rave reviews on December 1, 1986 and its collections and popularity have grown ever since.

Fun Musée d'Orsay Facts & FAQs 

• The Orsay Museum's huge vaulted ceiling contains more metal than the Eiffel Tower and almost 400,000 square feet of glass. 
• Although the metal framework made the glass ceilings structurally possible, the electric trains - which emitted no steam or smoke - made the use of glass aesthetically possible.
• The building's sides are also constructed of metal, but were faced with limestone to match the Louvre Museum across the river.
• Gare d'Orsay and its hotel opened on Bastille Day, 1900.
• American film director Orson Welles shot his adaptation of Franz Kafka's The Trial here.

Q:  How many people visit Musee d'Orsay each year?

A:  The museum averages over 3 million visitors each year.  For comparison, the Louvre Museum admits about 7.5 million visitors each year (due to the current cap of 30,000 visitors per day). 

Q:  How large is the museum?  

A:  Despite being much smaller than the Louvre, the museum's length of 574 feet (175 m) and width of 246 feet (75 m) make it almost twice as long and wide as an American football field.  The iron-framed glass roof soars 105 feet (32 m) above the elegant cream-and-black marble ground-level central hall, providing plenty of natural light. 

Q:  How many floors and galleries does the museum have?  

A:  There are now around 80 galleries on three levels, plus numerous platforms and pedestals provide additional display space - but a 10-year expansion effort has recently begun, so expect even more space and other changes by 2030.

Orsay Museum Visitor Information: Tickets, Hours, Location, & Map

Ticket information.

To avoid waiting in a (usually) very long ticket line at the entrance, buy your tickets online with a reserved time slot.  If you book a guided museum tour, your ticket will be included.

Admission is free to all visitors under 18 years old , EU citizens (or long-term residents) between 18 and 25 years old, and holders of a valid Paris Museum Pass.   At the current time, Museum Pass holders no longer need to reserve a time online but always check your pass for details in case this changes.  

See the "How to Visit" section above for more options

Days open:   Tuesday through Sunday Days closed:  May 1, December 25, all Mondays Hours open:  9:30 - 18:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - Sunday; 9:30 - 21:45 on Thursday Last admission:  45 minutes before closing

Musée d'Orsay Address & Public Transportation

Location:  1, Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 7th arrondissement  Metro:  Line 12, Solférino station RER C:   Gare du Musée d'Orsay station Bus:   Lines 21, 27, 38, 85, 96 Batobus:  Batobus - Get Batobus hop on hop off river cruise tickets

Map Showing Musée d'Orsay Location

Things to Know Before Your Visit

• The Orsay Museum is wheelchair accessible , and loaner wheelchairs are available. 
• Free priority admission for disabled visitors and accompanying person is available upon presentation of proof of disability (usually at Entrance C, but check signs on the day of your visit).
• Due to security considerations, suitcases, backpacks, and travel bags must be smaller than 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 17.8 x 9.9 inches).   You may leave them in the cloakroom if space is available; otherwise, the cloakroom is restricted to objects not allowed in the museum areas.
• Once you leave the museum, you can't re-enter with the same ticket.
• Plan to spend about 2 hours at Musee d'Orsay if you want to see only the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections, and 3-4 hours if you want to see the Special Exhibits and some or all of the other art.  If you opt for lunch at either of the two main restaurants and do a traditional 3-course meal, count on another couple of hours for that.  If your goal is to see the museum's most famous pieces and learn a little about them without spending at least half a day here, do consider one of the efficient 2-hour guided tours.   In addition to providing lots of interesting information, the Orsay Museum guides help you move quickly through the crowds and secure a good viewing spot in front of the art.

Fun Things to Do in Paris Near the Orsay Museum

Where to stay near the orsay museum.

The upscale 7th arrondissement near Musée d'Orsay offers you a wonderful base for your Paris visit, close to numerous museums, historic churches where you can hear classical concerts, superb shopping, and wonderful places to eat.  Here are several excellent choices within a 10-minute walk:

• Hotel de Varenne - Charming 4-star boutique hotel with a secluded garden close to Musée d'Orsay, the Rodin Museum, and the Eiffel Tower Book best deals
• Hôtel de Lille (40 Rue de Lille) - Lovely 4-star boutique hotel surrounded by wonderful restaurants in a fantastic 7th arrondissement location near the Orsay, the Louvre, and the Seine River Book discount deals
• Hôtel Montalembert - Excellent 5-star boutique hotel in Saint Germain de Prés near museums, the Bon Marché luxury shopping complex, and numerous small boutiques and antique shops Find best rates

Want more ideas?  Check out:

• Hotels near the Eiffel Tower
• Best Hotels in Paris's 7th arrondissement
• 6th Arrondissement Paris Hotels

Find More Paris Hotels & Apartments near the Orsay

Use this Paris hotel map to find more accommodations near Musée d'Orsay.  Add your travel dates to see what's available and find best rates:

Check out the newest Paris hotels

Where to Eat near Musée d'Orsay Museum

Choose from three places to eat inside the museum: 

• Le Restaurant - Beaux Arts jewel with gorgeous crystal chandeliers and Seine River views that opened in 1900 as the formal dining room of the luxury hotel located within Gare d'Orsay; menu choices feature traditional French food
• La Campana - Brasserie-type food such as big salads, soups, burgers, quiche, steak-frites, and pasta; try the gourmandises option for dessert to sample a few different pastries
• Le Café - Drinks and snacks on the 5th level Summer Terrace

Outside of the museum, you can find several very good small bistros along nearby Rue de Solferino and Rue de Bac.  Check out the menus by the doors and choose the one you like the best.

More to See & Do near the Orsay

Explore the Orsay's storied Saint Germain neighborhood - home to famous artists, writers, jazz clubs, and fabulous boutiques and restaurants - on these fun tours:

Chocolate & Patisserie Walking Tour through Saint Germain - See the neighborhood's famous art galleries, boutiques, and passages as you enjoy pastries, macaroons, and chocolates at 8 tasting stops on this 3-hour small-group or private stroll.  Book now

Charming Nooks & Crannies Bike Tour - On this small-group bike tour, you'll ride through Saint Germain des Prés, the Latin Quarter, the Marais and other fascinating neighborhoods as you take in famous sights as well as serendipitous discoveries on quiet back roads.  Book now

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Paris Arts Travel

Musée d'Orsay Virtual Tour – Orsay Museum, Paris, France

Musée d’Orsay Virtual Tour – Orsay Museum, Paris, France

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Timestamps (Chapters)

0:00 – Outside 0:14 – Ticket Counter 0:27 – 1st Floor Hall 1:09 – 5th Floor – Édouard Manet | The Luncheon on the Grass (1862-63) 1:26 – Claude Monet | Woman with a Parasol (1886) 1:46 – Claude Monet | Blue Water Lilies (1919) 2:02 – Edgar Degas | Dinner at the Ball (1879) 2:18 – Claude Monet | Water Lily Pond, Pink Harmony) (1900) 2:50 – Vincent van Gogh | Starry Night Over the Rhône (1888) 3:06 – Edgar Degas | The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer (1880) 3:21 – Edgar Degas | The Ballet Rehearsal on Stage (1874) 3:37 – Pierre Auguste Renoir | Country Dance (1883) 3:57 – Claude Monet | Monet’s Garden, The Irises (1900) 4:12 – Claude Monet | Water Lily Pond, Green Harmony (1899) 4:28 – Paul Cézanne | Still Life with Apples and Oranges (1895) 4:44 – Pierre Auguste Renoir | Young Girls at the Piano Creator (1892) 4:56 – Pierre Auguste Renoir | The Bathers (1919) 5:09 – 5th Floor – Exhibition Room 5:36 – 5th Floor – Clock 5:53 – 1st Floor – Auguste Rodin | The Gates of Hell (1885) 6:08 – 1st Floor – Paul Signac – Women at a Well (1892) 6:22 – Paul Signac – The Castle of Popes (1900) 6:37 – Georges Seurat, The Circus (1891) 7:25 – Theo van Rysselberghe | Signac at the Helm of Olympia (1896) 7:40 – Berthe Roblès, Madame Paul Signac 7:56 – Kees van Dongen | Modjesko, Soprano Singer (1908) 8:13 – Restaurant 8:19 – 1st Floor Paintings 8:28 – 1st Floor – Édouard Manet | Olympia (1863) 8:46 – Édouard Manet | The Fifer (1866) 9:01 – Jean-François Millet | The Gleaners (1857) 9:18 – 1st Floor source

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Musée d’Orsay, Paris Paris, France

The history of the museum, of its building is quite unusual. In the centre of Paris on the banks of the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Gardens, the museum was installed in the former Orsay railway station, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. So the building itself could be seen as the first "work of art" in the Musee d'Orsay, which displays collections of art from the period 1848 to 1914.

Open from 9.30am to 6pm daily, except Mondays Late night on Thursdays until 9.45pm Last tickets sold at 5pm (9pm Thursdays), museum cleared at 5.30pm (9.15pm Thursdays) Closed on Mondays, on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December

From Station to the Renovated Musée d'Orsay

Musée d’orsay, paris, in this collection, impressionism, post-impressionism, 1 museum view, what's on.

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Getting around paris, paris travel guide, paris essentials, train travel, paris arrondissements, musée d'orsay – everything you need to know about this impressionist gem.

From Monet to Manet to Renoir to van Gogh — the Orsay Museum truly is an Impressionist gem. Built as a train station in the 19th-century's Belle Époque , Musée d'Orsay was transformed into a museum to house France's collection of 19th-century paintings when the Louvre literally ran out of space. Here you can see the best works of Manet, Monet, Cézanne, Degas, Renoir, Sisley, and a stunning collection of van Goghs.

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1. Louvre 2-Hour VIP Tour… This small-group option is the best experience

2. 3-Hour Louvre Semi-Private Tour… Feel like a VIP on a small group tour

3. Musée d'Orsay Impressionist Tour… The top-rated museum tour in Paris

4. The Louvre + Musée d'Orsay… The two iconic museums on a private tour

4. The Paris Museum Pass… Free entry to over 60 museums and monuments

1. Louvre 2-Hour VIP Tour…

2. 3-Hour Louvre Small-Group Tour…

3. Musée d'Orsay Impressionist Tour&hellip

4. The Louvre + Musée d'Orsay…

Impressionists Tour of Musée d'Orsay

Years of visiting Paris museums have taught us that the best way to get the most out of a museum is by booking an informative guided tour, led by an art expert. You have a better experience, you pack a lot into a short time, and you learn so much more than you would from merely wandering around on your own. This is particularly true for a museum as large, and packed with as much great art, as the d'Orsay.

But, perhaps the greatest reason for signing up for a guided tour is that you get to skip the long ticket line. In the following article we review the best tours of Musée d'Orsay

Discover What's On When You're Here...

Discover what's on when you're here, the perilous history of musée d'orsay.

Sitting solidly on the left bank of the Seine, Musée d'Orsay seems like it's been there forever — this grand steel and stone structure that houses some of the world's greatest art treasures from the 19th and early 20th centuries. You may be surprised, then, to learn that this sturdy building has faced ups and downs, floods and fires, even threats of demolition.

Secure now as the world's greatest repository of Impressionist art, Musée d'Orsay's future seems even brighter with an expansion currently underway that will add more that 13,000 square feet of gallery space. Perhaps now is a good time to look back and review some of the perils Orsay has faced over the last 200-plus years.

Where To Eat At Musée d'Orsay

After a few glorious hours taking in the glorious works by the Impressionists you're bound to be hungry and thirsty. Luckily, there are some good options right inside the d'Orsay, and there are other restaurants nearby. We loved being in the classic Beaux-Art museum dining room, but we also like the renovated modern brasserie on the top floor. We'll fill you in on the options, so you can fill up.

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The best of the impressionists.

The d'Orsay is a treasure trove of Impressionism and other 19th-century art. All of the Impressionist painters who worked in France are represented here and the sheer number of great works will have your head spinning! To help you plan your visit, we've created a series of articles about the major painters found at the d'Orsay and their works that you don't want to miss.

The Pivotal Paintings of Claude Monet at Musée d'Orsay

If any one artist was the spiritual father of the Impressionists, that painter was Claude Monet. Born in 1840, he lived until 1926, producing hundreds of memorable works during his long life. Let's make a virtual visit to the d'Orsay to view seven of Monet's pivotal works.

The Best Of Renoir At Musée d'Orsay

Pierre-Auguste Renoir was a close friend of Monet and one of the most important Impressionists; probably the one painter who most gave the art movement a human face. Today his work is well represented at the d'Orsay: we'll take you to five of his best paintings.

The Top 10 van Gogh Paintings at Musée d'Orsay

In Vincent van Gogh's short life he produced an incredible number of paintings that changed the way we think about art. One of the most popular artists in history is well represented at Musée d'Orsay. We've picked the top ten — the ones we return to again and again.

The 5 Best Paintings by Manet at Musée d'Orsay

The museum holds 49 paintings by 19th-century master Edouard Manet, who had an important influence on the Impressionists. All of his works are worth seeing, but if you want to make a quick visit, we'll show you the five best.

Top-Rated Paris Museum Tours

The best of berthe morisot at musée d'orsay.

The Impressionist painters were described by one contemporary critic as "five or six lunatics, one of which is a woman." That woman was Berthe Morisot, friend of Manet and a huge influence on other artists. Let's visit the best of her works at the d'Orsay.

The Top Works by Edgar Degas

Impressionist painter and ballerina aficionado Edgar Degas is represented by over one hundred works at the d'Orsay. That's a lot of art. To concentrate on the greatest hits, we'll take you to the top five.

The Best of Pissarro at Musée d'Orsay

Camille Pissarro was born and raised in the West Indies and spent time painting in Venezuela before he settled in France, where he became friends with Cezanne, Monet, Manet, Renoir & Degas.

The Best of Alfred Sisley at Musée d'Orsay

One of Impressionism's most overlooked artists, Alfred Sisley was a man of two cultures, an Englishman living and painting in France. Known for his landscapes, let's look at his five best works at d'Orsay.

Skip-the-Line at the Louvre Museum

The 8 historic impressionist exhibits, 1874-1886.

They were rebellious artists who were rejected by the official state art exhibitions — over and over again. Finally, they banded together to form their own group with their own art show. So, in 1874 a disparate group of friends and painters staged the first of eight Impressionist exhibitions held over the next twelve years.

It took time for the public, , collectors, and art dealers to warm up to their art but luckily for future art lovers (including us) the Impressionist painters persevered. Today, of course, there is a major Paris museum dedicated to their work. Let's look back at the 8 historic Impressionist exhibitions and how to visit the Musée d'Orsay in a new way.

Impressionism Timeline 1851-1900

The art movement heard round the world. The little art movement that could. Call it what you will, Impressionism made an enormous impact on art in the second half of the 19th century. But, it didn't happen in a vacuum; it was part of and influenced by large historic and cultural changes in France. Let's take a look at the development of Impressionism in the larger cultural history of France.

Sculptures at Musée d'Orsay

Sculpture was a very popular art form in the 19th century. As the French economy boomed and the bourgeois flourished, new houses and gardens were being decorated with statuary. For public buildings, too, sculptures were thought of as a necessary adornment. Sculptors such as Rodin, Maillol, and Bourdelle were in their primes.

Sometime in the 20th century, though, this all changed and new sculptures fell out of favor. Works were neglected or put in storage. But with the opening of the Musée d'Orsay in 1986, which celebrate the art of the 19th century, there was a brand new home and a revived appreciation of this body of work. There are now hundreds of magnificent sculptures at d'Orsay. We'll take you to eleven of the best.

Decorative Arts at Pavillon Amont

Pavillon Amont is the newest gallery space at Museum d'Orsay. A corner of the building were elevators used to be located was repurposed to house the museum's collection of decorative arts from the second half of the 19th century — from the period knowns as the Second Empire to Art Nouveau. Let's take a virtual tour of four levels of the art of everyday objects.

Photography Department

In addition to the amazing collection of paintings and sculpture, Musée d'Orsay houses historic photographic prints and negatives from the early years of photography — the 1850s to the 1920s. Due to the fragile nature of this material there are no permanent displays, but the museum does mount two or three special exhibitions a year in the department's three galleries on the ground floor.

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The greatest hits of musée d'orsay.

For our final look at Musée d'Orsay , we present our list of the must-see paintings, the works you don't want to miss when you visit this former train station. From Gustave Courbet to Claude Monet we've singled out nineteen canvases to set your sights on seeing. But, being the way we are, we found we couldn't stop at nineteen… we had to include a list of the runners-up as well!

Orsay Museum Resources

Because the Musée d'Orsay is smaller than the Louvre you can cover a lot of art in a morning and still have time for lunch in the restored Belle Époque restaurant , which was once the dining room of the hotel located in the Orsay train station. By the way, don't miss the view from the observation deck on Level 5 (next to the snack bar), if it's open. You'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the Seine — from Place de la Concorde to the Louvre .

• Closed Mondays, December 25, January 1, and May 1
• Metro – Solferino or Tuileries (walk across the park and the pedestrian bridge)
• RER – Musée d'Orsay (directly in front of the museum)
• Museum Website …
• In one of the seventy-five novels by George Simenon featuring Inspector Maigret , the famous fictional detective meets a suspect at Hotel Gare d'Orsay, located in the train station building, and wants to eat in the hotel's dining room, which is still used as a museum restaurant today. Unfortunately for Maigret, it was too late at night and the restaurant was closed!
• Orson Welles's film of Franz Kafka's The Trial was shot at d'Orsay, after the trains were shut down, but long before it became a museum.

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11 Tips to Make the Most of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris

The  Musee d'Orsay  is, hands-down, one of the world's richest and most exciting fine art museums. Its permanent collection houses hundreds of breathtaking original works from masters of early modern and  Impressionist art , including Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Vincent Van Gogh and Auguste Rodin. The globally beloved museum also curates several major temporary exhibits throughout the year, as well as hosting not-to-be-missed special events. All of these reasons account for why this museum lies near the top of our list of  Paris's most interesting and iconic attractions.

Like any top-notch collection, though, the Orsay can be overwhelming to visit. Use these 11 strategies to make your next one as enriching and enjoyable as possible. 

Focus on One or Two Wings

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre

While the Musee d'Orsay is dwarfed by the nearby Louvre , the permanent collection at the former spans four floors and several important periods and collections, from Impressionism to Post-Impressionism. In addition to the Paintings department, you can (and should) also consider exploring the rich collections of the Decorative Arts, Sculpture, and Photography departments.

In short, there's a lot to see here. Focus your visit! Get a sense of  how the collections are laid out , familiarize yourself with some of the key artists and masterpiece works featured here, and then plan to spend more time on a selected period or set of artists. You're much more likely to come away from your visit feeling as if you truly "encountered" some of the works. This is also a good strategy for avoiding burnout and sensory overload.

Avoid the Crowds

 Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images

Attracting some three million visitors a year, the Musée Orsay is  always  going to be relatively crowded, no matter the season. But if you're careful to choose your timing well, you'll be far more likely to enjoy your visit, and beat the crowds. After all, who wouldn't prefer having more space in a gallery to themselves, enjoying the quiet and spending some time calmly contemplating favorite masterpieces?

To beat the crowds and enjoy (relatively) calmer conditions at the Orsay, we recommend you try to visit during the following times, when tourist entries thin a bit:

• During the low tourist season (November to March)
• From 9:30 a.m. to noon (with a slight dip in crowds at lunchtime)
• In the evening between 6:00 and 9:45 pm (Thursdays only)
• On weekdays

Choose the Right Line

Connie Ma/Creative Commons

At the Orsay, there are separate and dedicated entrances for individuals, groups, and members or professionals outside the museum. Avoid wasting time by getting in the right line as soon as you arrive. You can also consider purchasing skip-the-line tickets to beat the crowds and get inside even sooner.

When you arrive at the museum, verify which of these lines is the right one for you before getting in the fray:

• Individual visitors without tickets:  Seine river  side, entrance A
• Members, visitors with tickets or passes or with priority entry: Rue de Lille side, entrance C
• For adults in pre-booked groups: Seine river side, entrance B
• For school groups: Rue de Lille side, entrance D

Consider a Guided Tour

If you're visiting the Orsay for the first time, one of the best ways to get an exciting overview of the periods, artists, and major masterpieces featured within its collections is to take a guided tour.

The museum offers numerous tours in English for individuals and groups. Note that tours are offered on selected days subject to change.

• The Great Works of Art Tour  provides visitors with a 1.5-hour overview of the permanent collections.
• The Great Artistic Movements tour offers you greater insight into the development of movements such as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, detailing how these borrowed from the conventions of Realism while also moving away from traditional modes of painting. If you want to dig deeper into the Orsay's featured artists and periods, this tour is for you.
• From Academism to Impressionism takes a similar approach , but focuses on the birth of Impressionism with early "salons" in Paris from the likes of Gustave Courbet and Edouard Manet marking a strong rebellion against the strictures of traditional painting, or "Academism".

Make Time for Temporary Exhibits and Special Events.

The magnificent permanent collection at the Orsay may be what draws visitors in droves, but there's much more to see if you want to stretch your visit into a whole day.

The museum regularly curates major temporary exhibits on important artists and movements from the period 1848-1914, giving visitors fresh insight into the exciting developments of the 19th century. These retrospectives and thematic shows allow you a different point of entry into the museum's collections, as well as showcasing masterpieces borrowed from other important museums.

In addition to a full roster of temporary exhibits, Orsay regularly programs special events like concerts, film screenings and festivals, and art-inspired shows. Most visitors never take advantage of these, but they should.

Buy a Combined Ticket to the Orangerie or the Musée Rodin

TripSavvy / Leopoldine Bauer

Many visitors to this popular museum are unaware that it's possible to buy a joint ticket to the Orsay and the nearby Orangerie , situated at the edge of the Jardin des Tuileries just across the Seine.

This small museum is noteworthy for housing Monet's "Nymphéas", a large-scale series of murals that are considered one of his great Impressionist masterpieces; he donated it to the French state in 1918 as World War I was ending and dedicated it to a hope for global peace. The Orangerie is also home to the Walter and Guillaume Collection, one of the city's finest smaller collections of modern European art that includes works from the likes of Matisse, Cézanne, Sisley, Marie Laurencin, and many others.

For the same price, you can also purchase a special ticket allowing you access to both the Orsay and the Musée Rodin , which brings together dozens of emblematic works from France's most-celebrated sculptor. The sculpture garden there is certainly well worth a visit, too.

Visit on the Free Days

Rene Mattes/Hemis/Getty Images 

Did you know that the Musée d'Orsay is completely free to visit on certain days? If you're on a tight budget, keep this in mind before your visit.

On the first Sunday of the month, all visitors get free entry to the permanent collections. And the museum is always free for visitors under the age of 18.

Paris Museum Night: Once a year, the Nuit des Musées (Paris Museum Night) gives visitors free entry for an evening to the collections at the Orsay and numerous other participating museums.This event is open to all and generally falls in May each year. Live music and other special performances are often on the program, too.

Buying Tickets and Passes in Advance

 Scott Stulberg/Corbis Documentary/Getty Images

Visitor numbers have climbed at the Orsay in recent years, which means longer lines and sometimes frustrating waits, especially during high season in spring and summer.

How to avoid all that? We strongly advise you to buy tickets in advance . You can purchase them directly from the Musée d'Orsay ticket counters or online on their official website.

You can also buy them in person at select Paris Visitor Bureau locations, including at Charles de Gaulle and Orly airport.

Consider the Paris Museum Pass

If you're planning on visiting more than two or three major Parisian museums and monuments during your stay, you should consider purchasing the Paris Museum Pass. It'll save you money on tickets as long as you visit several of the sites the pass covers, and entry to the Musée d'Orsay is included in the price.

You can find more information on current prices, museums and monuments covered by the pass and how to buy it at this page.

Don't Go Too Late in the Day

One mistake we see a lot of tourists make when visiting a top attraction such as the Musée d'Orsay: showing up two hours before closing time, waiting in line, then having scant time to actually take full advantage of the collections.

To make sure you get to see everything you want to and don't feel rushed through the galleries, we recommend that you get to the museum at least three to four hours before closing time (two if you have skip-the-line tickets or booked in advance).

The museum is open daily until 6:00 pm, except on Thursdays, when it remains open until 9:45 pm. Take these hours into account when planning your visit, and avoid the disappointment of having too little time to fully enjoy the experience.

Learn About the Artists

One way to guarantee that you get more out of your visit? Spend a little time learning about some of the main artists and movements highlighted in the Orsay's collections before you even set foot inside.

Even just an hour or two spent learning about the fascinating history of Impressionism will lend you deeper insight into the masterpieces you'll be witnessing firsthand during your visit.

It'll help you to understand some key differences—and mutual influences—between artists such as Courbet and Manet, who helped initiate the movement; Cézanne, Degas, and Monet, who are widely credit as representing Impressionism's pinnacle; and post-Impressionists such as Vincent Van Gogh, and Vlaminck, whose vibrant, swirling colors and "anti-naturalist" styles helped pave the way to the growing abstraction of 20th-century painting.

You may also want to become more familiar with the artists whose works represent true highlights in the collections at the Orsay. You can visit this page at the official website for a fascinating look at the "works in focus" with details on over 900 major paintings, sculptures, and other artworks in the permanent collection.

Explore the Neighborhood Around the Orsay

Before or after visiting the Orsay, make sure to take some time to explore the surrounding neighborhood. After all, it's always best to expand your knowledge of the city when visiting one of its most-iconic places.

You're in close range of sights and attractions including the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, famous for its classic cafes where famous artists and writers once worked, argued, and consumed bottomless cups of coffee. The boutiques, antiquarian bookshops, antique stores and art galleries in the area are perfect for window-shopping.

Meanwhile, the leafy Italian-style Jardin du Luxembourg is an ideal place for a stroll, picnic or lazy couple of hours reading and people-watching on metallic chairs overlooking the gardens.

You're also not too far from the Eiffel Tower and the sprawling lawns outside it known as the Champ de Mars. You might consider hopping over to these places after visiting the Orsay, since the latter is on the way.

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Meet the Impressionists: Musée d'Orsay Skip-the-Line Fully Guided Tour

124 reviews

Why take this tour?

• Skip-the-line Musée d'Orsay tickets
• Guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay with a local, art-enthusiast guide.
• Specially selected highlights of the museum focussing on the best works of the Impressionists
• Famous works by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Cezanne, Gauguin and more
• Sites Visited
• Musée d’Orsay
• Tour Includes
• Local English-speaking guide
• Expertly guided walking tour
• Skip-the-line ticket for Musée d’Orsay

Take in the inner world of the Impressionists

Total customer reviews: 124, latest reviews.

Meeting Point

Meeting Point 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur (Musée d’Orsay) Meet at the rhinoceros statue to the left of the entrance (while facing the museum). Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.

Please meet 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.

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Admission ticket to the museum

* The late opening rate applies on Thursdays, for visits starting at 6pm. Museum closes at 9:45pm -  last entry at 9pm.

** Accompany a young person and benefit from a special fare: "Enfant & Cie" reduced rate for a maximum of 2 adults, residents of the European Union, accompanying a young person under 18 years of age. For online booking, adult and young person tickets must be booked simultaneously.

The ticket gives you admission to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, subject to availability. The ticket is valid for one admission. Any exit is final.

Free-admission visitors

- 1st Sunday of the month: free for all : the reservation of a visit slot is mandatory - Under 18 years old - 18-25 year old nationals or long-term residents of a European Union country - Holders of a valid Pass éducation - Disabled visitors with one accompanying person - Jobseekers - Carte blanche members - Members of the Société des Amis du Musée d'Orsay or American Friends of the Musée d'Orsay

See the full list 

Reduced rate visitors 

See the full list

Tours with museum guides and workshops

Discover the Family offer :  Families | Musée d'Orsay (musee-orsay.fr)

Carte Blanche

The Carte Blanche offers unlimited, reserved access for one year to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of the Musée d'Orsay and the Musée de l'Orangerie, as well as many other advantages and discounts (in stores, restaurants, on audio guides, etc.). 

More information 

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Combined ticket musée d'orsay - musée rodin.

Valid for 3 months from the date of purchase for a single entry in each museum. No reservation required

• Musée d'Orsay : includes access to the Permanent collections and the Temporary exhibitions, subject to availability
• Musée Rodin : includes access to the Permanent collections the Temporary exhibitions shown in the Hôtel Biron, but also to the Sculptures Garden. 

Combined ticket Musée d'Orsay - Musée des Arts décoratifs

BValid for 3 months from the date of purchase for a single entry in each museum. No reservation required.

• Musée d'Orsay: includes access to the Permanent collections and the Temporary exhibitions, subject to availability.
• Musée des Arts décoratifs : includes access to the Permanent collections and the Temporary exhibitions, subject to availability. Full list of current exhibitions  madparis.fr

Private Musée d'Orsay Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

Discover the incredible paris museum that most tourists miss, with monet, van gogh, gaugin, and more.

Looking for the full Paris art lovers' experience? Then don’t miss out on the beautiful Musée d'Orsay—an iconic Paris landmark that’s home to Impressionist masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Gaugin, Cezanne, and much more! Join your own personal guide for an in-depth private tour of the museum’s most famous works and hidden gems, and learn the stories behind the artworks and their creators from a true expert. It's simply the best way to discover the world-famous Musée d'Orsay collection!

Skip the Line

• The Card Players by Cezanne
• The Floor Scrapers by Caillebotte
• Arearea by Gaugin
• Luncheon on the Grass by Monet
• Camille on her Deathbed by Monet
• Poppy Field by Monet
• Self Portrait by Van Gogh
• Starry Night by Van Gogh

Meet your private guide just in front of the Musée d'Orsay entrance where you'll have a chance to discuss any specific works of art you're most interested in seeing. Visiting the Musée d'Orsay is a daunting task (nearly 80,000 works of art) but well worth the effort. Your guide knows so many fascinating details from the construction of the building to the impressionism artists and their art. This means you'll gain an in-depth understanding of this vibrant time in Paris' history.

Private Musée d'Orsay Tour Description

Your private 2-hour tour includes:

A tailored tour of the top impressionism artists

Skip-the-line tickets

An expert English-speaking guide

Skip the Line at Musée d'Orsay

This private tour includes skip-the-line Musée d'Orsay tickets, so you don't have to waste your precious vacation time. As you visit the best masterpieces, you'll learn the stories behind their creation in addition to seeing some incredible lesser-known works too.

Musée d'Orsay as a Train Station ( Gare )

The current Musée d’Orsay was previously a train station and hotel built just in time for the World's Fair on July 14th, 1900. In order to ensure that such a massive structure didn’t look out of place, the particular stone chosen from the Charente and Poitou regions helped hide the more modern metal structures. Perhaps most impressive of all is the modern technology installed here: ramps and lifts for luggage, elevators for the passengers, a reception area on the ground floor, electric traction, and 16 underground rail tracks.

Impressionism Art to Explore

The Musée d'Orsay is all about impressionism and holds the worlds largest collection of art from this style. You'll also see quite a bit of post-impressionism art as well. So what will your private guide show you? Well, the biggest artists living in Paris in the late 19th century are all represented here: Monet, Van Gogh, but also Gauguin, Renoir, and Caillebotte.

Impressionism started out as a kind of rebellion movement against the standard painting style of the time—a more classical approach. The Academy of Fine Arts in Paris ruled the art world at the time and organized the famous Salons where an artist could submit his work to become well known. Without their support, notoriety seemed impossible.

The impressionist artists were more interested in natural light and the first impression that one feels when they see the artwork, rather than the subject itself. This is why the artists' use of light is extremely important and the picture could appear fuzzy due to the unusual brushstrokes. See these paintings up close and understand how important their works are as your guide explains these and many more details on your private tour.

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Musée d’ Orsay

wonderful highly recommend

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I had a fabulous tour of the Museum with Will. Very informative!

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Frequently Asked Questions

What to bring?

This is a walking tour, so wear some comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water too.

Can I use my Paris Museum Pass to get a discount on our Louvre tour?

We pre-book all of our reservations and tickets for the Louvre Museum in advance, so personal museum passes are not valid for entry or a discount.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

This private tour is your best bet if you have concerns about navigating the Musée d'Orsay. Our private tours offer flexibility in terms of pace and special accommodations. Just get in touch before your tour if there's something we should know!

Can we stay longer in the museum after the tour ends?

You are allowed to stay inside the museum until closing time, even after your guided tour is done. Please note that once you exit the area where the artwork is, you will not be allowed to re-enter.

Free 24-hr cancellation on group tours! Learn more

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Tips on Buying Tickets and Visiting the Musée d’Orsay in Paris

Buy skip-the-line time-slot reservation tickets to visit the Musée d’Orsay in Paris or book cheap tours to enter the museum without queuing.

The Musée d’Orsay, home to impressionist art, is one of the most popular museums to visit in Paris. The best times to visit the Musée d’Orsay are early morning or Thursday evenings — avoid all day Tuesday and weekends. Although time-slot reservation tickets are currently not compulsory, buying skip-the-line tickets is highly advisable to ensure admission without delays. Guided tours get visitors into the museum quickly even during busy times.

See Impressionist Art in the Musée d’Orsay

The art in the Musée d’Orsay covers roughly the period from 1848 to 1914 — the Second Republic to the First World War, or more practically the period between the art displayed in the Louvre and the modern art in the Centre Pompidou . The collection includes the largest and most complete collection of impressionist art in the world as well as the equally popular post-impressionist art. In addition to the large collection of paintings, the museum also has many sculptures, decorative art, photography, drawings, and architectural details on display.

Van Gogh, Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Seurat, Pompon, Degas, and Rodin are well represented here in addition to the works by far less famous artists. Many visitors enjoy this museum more than the enormous Louvre, which covers a much wider spectrum of cultural treasures.

Visit the Musée d’Orsay — Buy Time-Slot Tickets

As with visiting the Louvre, a bit of planning and especially buying time-slot tickets or booking tours in advance are highly advisable when visiting the Musée d’Orsay. Although beautifully located inside a former railway station, the museum is smaller than the Louvre with visitor queues often moving slowly at busy times.

The Orsay Museum is easy to navigate. A good strategy is to cross the ground floor to the back of the museum where an elevator transports visitors up to the fifth level to see the world-famous impressionist and post-impressionist paintings. Levels four and three are mostly open spaces while sculptures are displayed on the terraces of level two. In rooms off these terraces, art nouveau, symbolism, naturalism, and thematic displays may be enjoyed in relative calm.

Level 0 (ground floor) is used for frequently changing temporary exhibitions but also smaller rooms with very popular exhibitions including rooms dedicated to amongst others Manet, Degas, Courbet, and Cézanne.

Amazon has quite an extensive selection of books on the Musée d’Orsay and the artworks on display in this popular Parisian art museum.

Buy Tickets and Book Tours for the Musée d’Orsay

Tickets for the Musée d’Orsay are €15 when bought at the museum or €17 when bought online with a time-slot reservation — that is generally €2 well spent. Combination tickets with the Musée de l’Orangerie are sometimes sold (with buying at the Orangerie a way to avoid queues) while resellers often give discounts if buying tickets for the Musée d’Orsay and other sights such as the Louvre , Centre Pompidou , the Musée du Quai Branly , and the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault .

With time-slot reservations , visitors skip the queues of those buying tickets at the museum itself or having tickets without a time. Enter within half an hour of the time stated on the ticket, or join the regular queue and wait. The correct entrance to use is stated on the ticket — usually door C but sometimes door A is also used for reservation tickets.

Visitors with tickets but without time slots (or having missed the reserved time) as well as museum pass holders, and similar, theoretically have skip-the-line privileges too but that is only over those queueing up to buy tickets at the museum. The busier the museum and the longer the queues, the less such “skip-the-line” tickets without time-slot reservations give faster admission.

Visitors under 18 (and EU residents under 26 years) may enter for free but have to queue in the non-reservation line. 

Admission to the Musée d’Orsay is free for all on the first Sunday of the month but make time-slot reservations online.

Tickets are only around €13 ( online with time-slot reservation ) or €10 at the museum for entry on Thursday evenings after 18:00.

Book Guided Tours and Tickets for the Musée d’Orsay

At peak periods, guided tours are often the fastest way to enter the Musée d’Orsay and to minimize the waiting time at the security checkpoint.

A variety of guided tours are available for the Musée d’Orsay. The basic highlights tours are 90 minutes to two hours. Private tours are often good value for small groups and especially families who may also book family-friendly tours. Combination tours with other sights are also available with the nearby Louvre particularly popular (and giving skip-the-line access to two of the most popular sights in Paris). More extensive tours include a gourmet lunch or a walk through the Montmartre neighborhood that played such a major role in the lives of many Impressionist painters.

Opening Hours for the Musée d’Orsay

The opening hours of the Musée d’Orsay are Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 to 18:00, closing at 21:45 on Thursdays. The Musée d’Orsay is closed on Mondays, 1 May, and 25 December. Final admission is around an hour before closing but halls start to close from half an hour before the final closure time.

Best Times to Visit the Musée d’Orsay

The best times to visit the Musée d’Orsay are early morning right at opening time, late afternoon, or Thursday evening when the museum closes late (and cheaper for admission after 18:00). (The Marmottan Monet Museum is also open Thursday evenings — the largest collection of Monet paintings is easily reached from the D’Orsay on RER trains C.)

The worst times to visit the Musée d’Orsay are Tuesdays (when the Louvre is closed and the D’Orsay busy even early morning), weekends (although right at opening usually not that bad but it will get busy quickly), and school holidays, especially over Easter, summer, and Christmas.  Time-slot reservation tickets get visitors in easy enough but the museum is likely to be unpleasantly full.

The absolute worst time to visit the Musée d’Orsay is the first Sunday of the month when admission is free — this is normally saving at the wrong end, except when the weather is unseasonably pleasant and more people will spend the day outside, or so miserable that few would venture out. It is necessary to book a free ticket online for visiting on the first Sunday of the month — free Sunday tickets are only available around four weeks in advance.

Orsay Museum

Inspiration

Paris Cultural Heritage Cities

Reading time: 0 min Published on 22 March 2024, updated on 24 April 2024

La Tour Eiffel, Notre-Dame, l’île Saint-Louis... Sur la Seine, les monuments qui attirent le regard ne manquent pas. Mais un long édifice prend la pose sur la rive gauche du fleuve. Il ne ressemble à aucun autre. Voilà le Musée d’Orsay… D’une folle élégance avec son imposante verrière et dédié à l’art impressionniste et post-impressionniste, il fait partie des musées les plus visités et les plus appréciés du monde. Quel est le secret de ce succès ? Visite guidée.

Hop aboard the culture train, next stop – Gare d’Orsay!

Once a railway station on the left bank of the Seine, the Gare d’Orsay was completed in 1900 as a home for electric trains running to south-west France until 1939. Having been a parcel shipping centre during the war, and at other times a film set, the old station was transformed and opened as the Musée d’Orsay in 1986. Today it houses the World’s largest collection of Impressionist paintings and is Paris’s most visited museum.

To the glory of the 19th century

Designed to specialise in 19th century art the museum today is both airy and light, offering a central nave – where platforms once stood – covered by a restored glass platform roof with the original station clock still hanging proudly to remind travellers of the building’s past. In fact, “the main work of art at the Musée d’Orsay is the museum itself!”

Impressionist paradise

Where fans of the works of Manet, Degas, Monet, and Renoir come to bathe in their luminous and mood-driven pieces that reflect the life of the time, the museum brings impressionist artists’ snapshots of everyday life together under one roof. Boasting a range of sculptures, photos and other creative achievements the Musée d’Orsay is the place to visit for an in-depth and varied look at the Impressionist Movement.

All change! (2011)

In 2011, the museum underwent building and collection renovations to further strengthen its position as a specialist 19th century art museum. New rooms and a space dedicated to Van Gogh (containing 24 pieces including some of the famous self-portraits) wereopened.

The highlight of the renovated museum? Undoubtedly, the 5th floor where the Impressionist Gallery overlooking Seine houses a dozen rooms with five distinct themes:

• Origins of Impressionism

• The first Impressionist exhibition (1874)

• Painting Modern Paris

• Impressionism around 1880

• The sources of the 20th century: Monet and Sézanne after1900

The renovations also improved accessibility and comfort for visitors, whilst still preserving the station-like feel of the building.

On the ground floor, galleries nestle either side of the central nave area, dominated by the Laloux’s huge golden station clock. On the middle and upper levels, new rooms showcase permanent exhibitions as well as the many temporary exhibitions held throughout the year.

Don’t miss, the Rodin area, which gathers together twenty of the French artist’s sculptures including Portes de l’Enfer (Gates of Hell) and bronze busts like L’Homme au nez cassé (the Man with the Broken Nose).

Muséed'Orsay

1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur 75007 Paris

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Découvrir le mouvement impressionniste en 5 actes

Rénové en profondeur en 2011, Orsay profite de cette cure de jouvence et renforce sa vocation de musée des arts du 19e siècle. Les visiteurs profitent, depuis lors, de salles supplémentaires et d’un espace consacré à Van Gogh où trônent 24 tableaux, notamment des autoportraits du célèbre peintre hollandais.

Le clou du musée ? Sans aucun doute le 5e niveau et sa Galerie des Impressionnismes qui longe les quais de Seine, avec une dizaine de salles aux 5 thématiques retraçant les 5 étapes clés du mouvement culturel :

• Des origines de l’Impressionnisme
• Autour de la première exposition de l’Impressionnisme en 1874
• Peindre le Paris Moderne
• L’Impressionnisme autour de 1880
• Aux sources du XXème siècle : Monet et Sézanne après 1900

Plus d’espaces, plus de fluidité : esprit conservé

Malgré les rénovations qui apportent aux visiteurs plus de confort et une meilleure fluidité (création fin 2023 d’un nouvel espace de repos au 5e étage et d’un nouvel espace dédié aux familles début 2024), l’esprit de la gare d’Orsay, construite en 1900 par l’architecte Victor Laloux, est conservé.

Au rez-de-chaussée, si l’entrée et sa marquise vont faire l’objet d’une rénovation et d’un agrandissement entre 2025 et 2027, les galeries nichées de chaque côté de la nef centrale, ancien hall de gare, restent dominées par l’immense horloge dorée, vestige de l’ancienne gare.

Aux niveaux intermédiaire et supérieur, de nouveaux espaces devraient mettre en valeur les expositions permanentes, ainsi que les nombreuses exhibitions temporaires organisées tout au long de l’année.

À ne pas manquer : l’espace Rodin qui rassemble une vingtaine de sculptures de l’artiste français, dont Les Portes de l’Enfer et des bustes de bronze comme L’Homme au nez cassé .

Un musée tourné vers l’avenir

S’il célèbre l’art du XIXe siècle et du début de XXe siècle, le musée d’Orsay évolue avec son public et n’a de cesse de proposer de nouvelles expériences et d’améliorer la compréhension de ses collections.

Ainsi, le parcours des collections permanentes a fait l’objet d’une intense réflexion afin d’organiser un accrochage des œuvres permettant au public de les contextualiser autour des thématiques de leur période de production : guerre, colonialisme, démocratie, rapport aux animaux, perception du nu féminin…

Par ailleurs, le musée multiplie les expériences immersives, comme en 2024, avec celle intitulée « Un soir avec les impressionnistes Paris 1874 » à l’occasion de l’anniversaire des 150 ans de la naissance de l’impressionnisme. Mais aussi les programmations culturelles de spectacle vivant permettant à tous les publics de découvrir ce fabuleux écrin, que ce soit à l’occasion de prestations de chant lyrique, de défilés hip-hop, de rap ou d’une performance de funambule...

Vous pensiez connaître le musée d’Orsay ?

En savoir plus * Visitez le Musée d'Orsay * Horaires * Tarifs * Découvrez les sites incontournables avec le Paris Museum Pass

Recommandations et conseils Une visite s’impose ? Quelques conseils pour profiter au mieux du musée tout en prenant soin de Paris. 1/ Pour profiter au mieux de votre expérience, privilégiez les visites hors vacances scolaires et préférez les horaires décalés (début de matinée, fin d’après-midi ou nocturne). 2/Pensez à réserver vos billets en amont. 3/ Pour réduire votre impact carbone, n’hésitez pas à emprunter les solutions de transport écoresponsables (métro, RER, bus, bateau-bus, vélo…). Excellent voyage au pays de l’art !

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Welcome to the Musée d'Orsay ticket office

Admission to the musée d'orsay.

For entry into the permanent collections  and temporary exhibitions

Paris 1874. Inventing impressionism exhibition

From March 26 to July 14th, 2024

Reservation is strongly recommended. Includes access to the permanaent collections and other exhibitions scheduled on the day of visit (subject to avalability)

Immersive experience Tonight with the Impressionists

from March 26 to August 11 2024 An immersive expedition in virtual reality  

1st Sunday of the month - Free reservation

Reservation is compulsory  

Audio guide

Permanent collections and Paris 1874. Inventing impressionism  exhibition

Guided tour in English

Masterpieces of the Musée d'Orsay

Concerts and Shows

Season 2023 — 2024

Group tour booking

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Tuesday, April 30, 2024 12:58 pm (Paris)

Sylvain Amic appointed president of the Musée d'Orsay

The 56-year-old new head of the Parisian institution dedicated to the 19th century succeeds Christophe Leribault, who was appointed head of the Château de Versailles at the end of February.

By  Roxana Azimi

Time to 1 min.

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Tradition is preserved. A curator is replacing a curator as president of the Musée d'Orsay et de l'Orangerie, in Paris. The Elysée Palace has cut short Christophe Leribault's first term as the head of the museum dedicated to the 19 th century to entrust him with the presidency of the Château de Versailles. Chosen as his successor, Sylvain Amic, 56, made a name for himself at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen in northwest France with several exhibitions in line with Parisian expectations. The curator paid tribute to the Impressionists and Flaubert, brought Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque closer together and showcased the Treasures of Sienna, demonstrating remarkable dynamism and considerable political savvy.

In 2022, he left Normandy and joined Rima Abdul Malak's cabinet as an adviser on museums and arts and crafts. There, he expanded his network in the Ministry of Culture and enhanced his public sector resumé. Announced on Thursday, April 18, this appointment, which marks the culmination of a career spent in several major cities – before Rouen, he worked at the Musée Fabre in Montpellier (southern France) – echoes the rhetoric hammered home by Culture Minister Rachida Dati since her appointment.

The minister, who insists on access to culture for audiences far from the capital, recommended Amic to President Emmanuel Macron, according to information obtained by Le Monde . The Elysé praised him as "a great museum professional, chosen because of his strong convictions for a territorial cultural policy." They recalled Amic's participation in launching the "catalog of desires" under former culture minister Françoise Nyssen, whose objective was to circulate masterpieces from national collections across the regions.

A hope for continuity

For the staff of the Musée d'Orsay, the imminent arrival of an even-tempered and consensual figure, a specialist in the 19 th century without being confined to it, is a hope for continuity. In the two and a half years he was in charge, Leribault made a name for himself with his quiet management style.

Macron, according to Le Figaro , met Amic last week and preferred him to half a dozen other names in circulation. These included Xavier Rey, current director of the Musée National d'Art Moderne; Olivia Voisin, director of the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans; Sylvie Patry, artistic director at Kamel Mennour Gallery; and Olivier Gabet, director of the decorative arts department at the Louvre, both of whom applied for the position in 2021.

As president, Amic will have to manage major works to improve reception at the Musée d'Orsay and the opening of the Daniel Marchesseau Research Center, on which work begins in September on the Quai Voltaire.

Roxana Azimi

Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr ; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.

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Beyond the Paris Olympics: Other intriguing events set throughout France this year

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A sensational summer light and sound show happens at Rouen Cathedral in Rouen, France. (Dreamstime/TNS)

France is hot, and we’re not just talking about the catwalks in Paris or the yacht clubs on the Riviera. There is no denying that 2024 will be a huge year for travel in The Hexagon, with so much going on across the country. Plenty has been said and written about the Paris Summer Olympics (and will be in the coming months), but here I will set that massive event to the side and focus instead on other reasons to visit France this year.

Some of the events could be perfect bookends to a trip to see the Games or serve as inspiration for a completely different adventure.

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MAKING AN IMPRESSION

After the Olympic Games, the second most talked about celebration in France will be the events surrounding the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, with Normandy being the best place outside of Paris to celebrate. The fifth edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival (March 22- Sept. 22) will take place across the region, and some parts will have an unexpected American influence. In Rouen, look for an exhibit showcasing the works of renowned American artist Whistler, as well as the 12th edition of the sensational summer light and sound show at Rouen Cathedral.

In Paris, the Normandy region will sponsor a spectacular exhibit titled “Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment” at the Musée d’Orsay (March 16 – July 14). The event will feature over 100 masterpieces, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and much more.

SALUTING THE HEROES OF SUMMER ‘44

The 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and the ensuing Battle of Normandy will take place on June 6, and the military operation that forever changed history will be honored with pomp and circumstance all over the region. In addition to official observations that will require invitations, there will be fireworks displays over the five landing beaches on June 1, art installations and dozens more events (think parades, parachuting, historical re-enactments and concerts) during the D-Day Festival Normandy (June 1-16).

There will also be events surrounding the 80th anniversary of Operation Dragoon, which was a significant French-American landing that took place in Southern France on Aug. 15, 1944. Expect commemorative events to take place in the region.

THE TOUR CYCLES SOUTH

No discussion of sports in France would be complete without a mention of the Tour De France (June 29 – July 21), the most iconic bicycle race on the planet. This year, the race will traverse a 2,000-mile-plus loop through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in France. The route changes for each edition of the race, but the mountain stages in the Pyrenees and Alps are a constant, and these regions make for exciting fan experiences. The 2024 race will start in Florence, Italy, before finishing somewhere other than Paris for the first time in a century. Due to the Olympics, the Tour will finish up in the jewel of the Riviera: Nice.

SETTING SAIL

The Vendée Globe, which is another one of the biggest French sporting events this year, will actually start in New York City. On May 24, sailors will gather at the Statue of Liberty for a host of pre-race celebrations before embarking on a grueling 3,200-mile journey across the Atlantic Ocean to France. Then, on Nov. 10, the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe will set sail from the coastal town of Sables d’Olonne in the Vendée region of France. Known as the Everest of Seas, this nonstop solo race will see about 40 skippers navigating the globe, and while you’re not allowed to tag along with them, it will be the perfect excuse to discover the beautiful coastal region of Vendée, which is home to long sweeps of beach and a breathtaking bay.

FLOWER POWER

Also in the Vendée region, the Les Floralies de Nantes — one of Europe’s most prestigious international horticultural shows — will take place at the impressive Domaine de La Chabotterie (May 17-26). This 18th century estate sits within 100 acres of meadows and forest, and the festival will showcase the imaginative creations of 200 participants hailing from France and beyond. As a nod to the Summer Olympics, the 2024 edition has been dubbed “Flower Games” and will feature five themed areas: water, childhood, intellectual, physical and garden.

Summer festivals galore

Bordeaux has been bubbling up on travel lists for a while now, and the 2024 edition of the famed Bordeaux Fête le Vin (June 27-30), the premier wine tourism festival in the city, will be the perfect excuse to get to know it better. Set against the backdrop of the Garonne River, the event will offer a delightful experience for wine lovers and curious travelers alike. The party will start early, as from June 20, a host of events will take place in the lead-up to the festival at the city’s renowned wine cellars, restaurants and cultural venues.

You’ll be surrounded by tunes all over the country on June 21 as the Fête de la Musique will see musicians of all levels (both amateur and professional) take to the streets across France to show off their skills. You’ll be able to experience a wide range of musical genres (and talent) as everything from rock groups to choirs and orchestras strut their stuff.

Every other year, the coastal town of Dieppe hosts one of the most colorful kite festivals in the world, and in 2024, the Dieppe International Kite Festival is back and better than ever. More than just a gathering of kite lovers, this festival celebrates global unity, highlighting the rich diversity of people and cultures on the planet. Expect the sky above the beach in Dieppe to be splashed with a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes and for you to leave feeling a little better about the state of the world.

ENDING THE YEAR IN STYLE

Notre Dame Cathedral is scheduled to officially reopen on December 8, over four and a half years after the devastating fire. This will be a special time to be in Paris, no doubt.

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