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 – 6:00 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 The museum is absolutely stunning on the inside, and even though there were a lot of visitors, it didn’t feel crowded except around a few popular paintings. Don’t hesitate to visit, even if it seems busy! My only advice is to book a time slot on their website in advance. This way, you can skip the long lines and get in within 10 minutes, even during peak hours. We arrived around noon, and the experience was smooth and enjoyable.
Nasser - a week ago

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5 Star Rating This is a great museum. It has many beautiful and famous sculptures and paintings. The building is also very beautiful. You will find famous Van Gogh paintings too It will take around 2 hrs to visit the whole museum. Do visit this museum if you want to cover another museum in Paris after the Louvre (BTW this is located near Louvre). Book tickets in advance if you are visiting over the weekend or on holidays.
Alok Aditya - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating The Musée d’Orsay is a true gem in Paris! Housed in a beautifully restored former train station, it offers an extraordinary collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. From Monet and Van Gogh to Degas and Renoir, every gallery is a feast for the eyes. The museum’s layout is intuitive, and the spacious design allows for a comfortable viewing experience, even on busy days. The clock windows provide stunning views of the Seine and Paris, adding to the charm of the visit. The staff is friendly, and the audio guides enhance the experience with rich insights. A must-visit for art lovers and anyone seeking a cultural highlight in Paris!
Mario Maroun - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Beautiful museum showcasing extraordinary art. Particularly enjoyed the impressionist art. Many of the works are much larger than I had thought they would be! Added to their grandeur. This is a must if you are in Paris. We arrived at 4pm on a Friday, and there was no line at the security. We only had until 6pm to look around but it was pretty empty and easy to see most of the art. They starting closing some of the rooms and areas before 6pm so be mindful of that.
Let's Eat Houston - 2 months ago

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4 Star Rating Absolutely beautiful artwork is housed here. I recommend buying tickets far in advance, as they sell-out. I purchased my tickets through a guide site, so that I would have the first entry. I arrived about 0914 for my untimed spot in the line. It took less than 10 minutes to enter once the doors were opened. Security was quick and easy. The museum is beautifully arranged and is art itself. I was unfortunately, very disappointed. There is a sign warning that some pieces may be on loan, but literally the most famous Van Gogh, which I was specifically coming to see, was not there. Additionally, I know one of the Monet I expected to see was also not present. There are however, plenty of other beautiful art work to admire. I would still recommend the museum, but don't expect to see any particular pieces. It isn't clearly labeled online nor on site until you are inside and at the site of the pieces what is missing. I would go again, but not unless I had assurances from the museum that the pieces were present. I heard others discussing their disappointment and being similarly upset.
Ariss McKalynn - a week 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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