Musée d'Orsay houses one of the largest art collections in Europe and is one of the world's most popular museums. Several millions of visitors come yearly to observe masterpieces by world-known art celebrities such as Monet, Renoir, Manet, Degas, Cézanne, Gauguin, Sisley, Seurat, and Van Gogh. The most prominent pieces include Renoir's Dance at le Moulin de la Galette, Cézanne's Apples and Oranges, and self-portraits by Van Gogh.
You'll find the museum on the Left Bank of the Seine. This place served as the Gare d'Orsay railway station before the museum was established here in 1986.
The galleries feature mainly French Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, created between 1848 to 1914. Along with the paintings, you will admire sculptures, as well as some furniture and photography. Besides, you can also benefit from temporary exhibitions.
Musée d'Orsay is open to visitors all year round, except Mondays, May 1st and December 25th. The opening hours are 9.30 am to 6 pm. Thursdays are special due to late nights when the museum operates until 9.45 pm. The least busy days with average queueing time are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Fewer visitors come in the low season that is November to March. If you go in the high season, make sure to either buy a ticket online or book a guided tour for an ultimate art experience.
Practical info
What are some remarkable pieces of art I can find in Musée d'Orsay?
Musée d'Orsay houses an enormous collection of artworks by renowned Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Some of the most exquisite art pieces include Renoir's Dance at le Moulin de la Galette, Cézanne's Apples and Oranges, and Van Gogh's self-portraits. The museum also features sculptures, furniture, and photography collections that are worth seeing. Show more
When is the best time to visit Musée d'Orsay so that I don't have to deal with crowds?
Musée d'Orsay is one of the most popular museums globally, with visitors exceeding several million annually. To avoid long queues, plan to visit during the low season between November and March. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are the least busy days, and you can skip the line. If you want to visit during the high season, purchasing tickets online or a guided tour in advance is advisable. Show more
Where exactly can I find Musée d'Orsay?
Musée d'Orsay is located in Paris, France, on the Left Bank of the Seine. A former railway station, Gare d'Orsay, turned into a museum in 1986. It's one of the most accessible museums in Paris, and there are different options for getting there conveniently, such as walking across the bridge, taking the metro or a hop-on-hop-off bus. Show more
Is it possible to book tickets and guides in advance for Musée d'Orsay?
Definitely. To save time and avoid long queues, consider buying tickets online beforehand. Alternatively, choose a guided tour. The museum offers various guided tours tailored to your interests and preferences, including private tours, family tours, and thematic tours. Show more
What other artwork can I expect from Musée d'Orsay besides paintings?
In addition to Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, Musée d'Orsay features an impressive collection of sculptures, photography, and furniture. The sculpture collection comprises over 500 works from different schools and movements, including Symbolism, Art Nouveau, and Romanticism. The photography collection holds artwork from photography legends such as Atget, Nadar, and Brassaï. The furniture collection includes pieces from various epochs, such as the Empire period, Louis Philippe, and the Third Republic. Show more
