Musée d'Orsay (Art Museum)

Musée d'Orsay, located in a former railroad station, is one of the most popular art museums in Paris

Expansive interior of Musée d'Orsay
Expansive interior of Musée d'Orsay cc licensed photo by Dimitry B

The Musee d'Orsay is a magnificent art museum situated on the left bank of the Seine River running through the heart of Paris. If you are visiting Paris as a tourist, then stopping off at the Musee d'Orsay is an absolute must, in fact if you have decided that you have to visit the world famous Louvre museum then you should most definitely visit the Musee d'Orsay in order to really get the full experience of significant art works within Paris.

The Musee d'Orsay was originally a railway station known as the Gare d'Orsay, completed in 1909 and served as the main terminus for the trains servicing the railways to south western France up until 1939. The building has been used over the years for many different purposes including as a partial mailing room during the Second World War, as a backdrop and set for several films including Franz Kafka's The Trial and as a sort of headquarters for the Renaud-Barrault Theatre Company.

In 1970 plans were put in motion to demolish the entire building and the green light was given to commence demolition, however, the timely intervention of the then minister for cultural affairs, Jacques Duhamel, prevented its demolition in order to make way for a new hotel. Instead the building was added to a list of historic buildings and saved for many generations to come.

In 1974 it was suggested that the building be converted into a museum in order to create a bridge between the Louvre and the modern art museum and so the Musee d'Orsay was born and is today one of the most popular museums in Paris. Extensive work was carried out on both the exterior as well as the interior of the museum however the original railway station look was maintained in terms of the huge, rather cavernous space which provides vast amounts of light, perfect for viewing works of art.

Nearby attractions: Jardin des Tuileries, Le Musée des Arts Decoratifs and Musée de l'Orangerie



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes, however entry is free with a mandatory reservation on the first Sunday of every month.

Musée d'Orsay (Art Museum) Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM – 9:45 PM
  • Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, France

Phone: 01 40 49 48 14

Official Website: Musée d'Orsay (Art Museum)

Musée d'Orsay (Art Museum) Reviews

Rated 4.8 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating One of the most important museums in the world and a must see for art lovers. It’s home to the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world. The museum features globally famous works by pioneers like Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Paul Cézanne. If you’re a fan of Impressionism, this museum will be the highlight of your time in Paris, even better than the Louvre. Get your tickets online with a time slot and you won’t wait long to enter. It’s significantly smaller than the Louvre but still requires a few hours to properly enjoy the masterpieces.
Kadir - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Visited during museum night on Saturday, May 23 — and it made the experience feel even more special. The building itself is already stunning as a former railway station, but seeing the galleries in the evening gave everything a different atmosphere: quieter, softer light, and somehow more intimate. Walking through the Impressionist collection at night felt unforgettable. Also loved stopping by the giant clock and looking out over Paris — one of those moments that makes you slow down and just enjoy being there. If you have the chance to visit during museum night, I’d highly recommend it.
Danny Huang - a month ago

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5 Star Rating I visited on a Saturday with a timed ticket and didn't have to wait at all. I was able to enter about 20 mins early. The museum is set in an absolutely stunning building. The collection of art is vast and incredible to explore. I would definitely recommend spending at least half a day here due to the size. Some of the exhibits on Renoir and Van Gogh were extremely busy but there are also much quieter parts of the museum which have art which is just as if not more impressive.
Stuart - 3 weeks ago

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5 Star Rating Visited Musée d’Orsay during the evening opening at around 6:30 PM. The museum offers extended opening hours on Thursdays, which is a great option for visitors who prefer a less crowded experience. The crowd was very manageable, allowing us to enjoy the exhibits comfortably. It is a large museum with an impressive collection of artworks. We headed to Level 5 to see the famous works of Vincent van Gogh and other renowned artists, which was definitely one of the highlights of our visit. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. The museum is well worth visiting, especially during the Thursday evening opening when the atmosphere is more relaxed.
Dry Gin - a month ago

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5 Star Rating One of my favorite museums in Paris. The structure of the museum, being an old train station, is impressive, as is the art inside. The 5th floor contains the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world. There you will find work by painters including Berthe Morisot, Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin, and van Gogh.The van Gogh are beautiful. The sculptures on the first floor are just as impressive as the art elsewhere with the high ceiling to showoff the large pieces. The air conditioning is very much appreciated during a week in the mid to upper 90's.
Jamie Wojciechowski - a month ago

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Directions

Metro / RER Line Nearest Station Walking Time
M12Solférino Station4 minutes
RER-CMusée d'Orsay0 minutes

How to get to Musée d'Orsay (Art Museum) by Metro / RER

By Metro: Exit Metro Line 12 at Solférino Station and walk north on Rue de Bellechasse to the museum entrance.

By RER C: The exit at Musée d'Orsay Station is located right in front of the entrance to the musum.

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