Musée d'Orsay (Art Museum)
Musée d'Orsay, located in a former railroad station, is one of the most popular art museums in Paris
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 out of 5![]()
The Musée d’Orsay, opened as a museum in 1986, is a brilliant example of how a former railway station was transformed into a cultural masterpiece. The architecture alone is stunning — elegant, spacious, and very French in style.
Inside, the museum offers a complete and fascinating journey through the history of Impressionism, with works by some of the world’s most outstanding artists. The collection is beautifully curated and inspiring.
There is also a stylish café inside, perfect for enjoying a coffee, tea, or even a light meal while soaking in the atmosphere.
Overall, a truly memorable experience that leaves a very warm impression.👍 Highly recommended
Andrew - 2 weeks ago
We went here instead of the Louvre because we like impressionists and really like the art of the 19th-20th centuries. I also love John Singer Sargent and they were having an exhibition. That was crowded and hard to maneuver through. I ended up spending very little time in that area -- we saw Madame X at the Met in NYC last year and that seemed to be the highlight of the exhibition. We loved the sculptures and all of the impressionists. The great hall in the middle was impressive! The building itself is a piece of art. Then you have Monet, Manet, Seurat, Van Gogh... So many! We had some time on a Thursday night to do something and fortunately they have late hours that night with a reduced ticket price. It was worth it!
If you like art of that time period and want a different experience than the Louvre, I highly recommend it.
Jeff McClung - 2 weeks ago
soul of French art!
The Musée d’Orsay is an absolute must-see in Paris. Housed in a former railway station, the architecture alone is stunning — and then you step inside and are surrounded by the world’s greatest Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Monet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh… every gallery feels like turning another page in art history.
The layout is easy to navigate, and the natural light in the upper floors adds so much beauty to the experience. I also appreciated the friendly staff and well-organized entry, even during busy hours.
If you love art, culture, or simply want to feel inspired, the Musée d’Orsay should be at the top of your list in Paris. Truly unforgettable!
Elena Krasnopolski-Harilaou - 2 weeks ago
We visited the Musée d’Orsay in Paris with my husband and overall had a beautiful and memorable experience. Before arriving, we planned our visit carefully since we knew we wouldn’t have time to see everything before closing. The most important areas for us were Level 0 and Level 5, especially the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections (Van Gogh, Neo-Impressionism, etc.), and this plan allowed us to truly enjoy the artworks without rushing.
We started on Level 0, taking our time with the temporary exhibitions on display at the time, then stopped at the café before continuing our visit on Level 5. The paintings and the atmosphere there were absolutely worth it and are the highlight of the museum.
Unfortunately, the end of our visit was disappointing. Around 4:45 pm, we lined up to take a photo at the famous clock on Level 5. The line was very long, as many visitors were taking a lot of time with photos. At 5:00 pm, an announcement was made that the museum would close in 30 minutes. When it was finally our turn, a staff member intervened in a very rude manner and did not allow us to take our photo, cutting us off abruptly. This was especially frustrating, as we had waited patiently and that photo was important to us after investing so much time, effort, and money to visit the museum.
Our advice for future visitors:
• Take your photo at the clock on Level 5 early, as the line gets very long and people take their time.
• Be well organized with your visit, as staff management near closing time could be improved.
• It would be great if photo access at the clock were handled in a more organized and respectful way, especially for visitors who have waited in line.
Despite this, the museum itself and its collections are outstanding and truly worth visiting.
Mica Pictor - a week ago
The Musée d'Orsay was easily my favorite museum in Paris. Housed within a stunning former Beaux-Arts railway station, the building itself is a masterpiece, perfectly setting the stage for the art it contains. The central clock and open architecture create an atmosphere that is both grand and comfortable.
What truly elevated the experience for me was the art, particularly the Impressionism collection. Being surrounded by masterpieces from Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh was breathtaking. I loved the Impressionism art the best; seeing the vibrant colors and revolutionary brushwork up close truly made the artists' works come alive.
For anyone who loves 19th and early 20th-century art, this museum is an absolute must-visit and a genuine highlight of the Parisian cultural scene.
Kyle Johnson - 2 months ago
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Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M12 | Solférino Station | 4 minutes |
| RER-C | Musée d'Orsay | 0 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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Photo Gallery
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Ornate clock inside the Musée d'Orsay cc licensed photo by Eurapart - stoked to get 100,000 views! -
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Photo Credit: Pierre Blaché - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: marsupilami92 - cc license via Flickr -
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Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: dalbera - cc license via Flickr

