The Musée d'Orsay holds the world's greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, spanning works created between 1848 and 1914. It occupies the Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle and converted into a museum that opened in 1986. The galleries display paintings by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh and Gauguin alongside sculpture, photography and Art Nouveau decorative arts. The soaring central nave, still crowned by the station's great gilded clock, looks across the Seine to the Louvre and the Tuileries.
Visitor Information
- How much does Musée d'Orsay cost?
- Standard adult admission to Musée d'Orsay is €16. Reduced rate 11 euros; free for under-18s and EU residents under 26; free for all on the first Sunday of each month. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
- What are the opening hours of Musée d'Orsay?
- Musée d'Orsay is open Tuesday to Sunday 9:30am-6pm, with late opening Thursday until 9:45pm; closed Mondays, 1 May and 25 December.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
- Where is Musée d'Orsay?
- Musée d'Orsay is located at 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France, in the 7th arrondissement (Rive Gauche / Left Bank) area of Paris. The nearest stations are Solférino (Metro line 12), Musée d'Orsay (RER C), Assemblée Nationale (Metro line 12).
- What can I see at Musée d'Orsay?
- Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Van Gogh and Renoir in a grand former railway station on the Seine. Current highlights include Renoir and Love. A Joyful Modernity (1865-1885), Mary Cassatt. The Choice of Independence, Auguste Bartholdi. Liberty Enlightening the World.
- Do I need to book Musée d'Orsay in advance?
- Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
- When is the best time to visit Musée d'Orsay?
- Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.