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Everything you need to know about the Orsay Museum in Paris

Housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts train station, the Orsay Museum is a treasure trove of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, nestled on the left bank of the Seine River. Embark on a guided tour where you can admire works of artists li...

Also Known As

Orsay Museum

Founded On

1986

Founded By

Victor Laloux

Orsay Museum

Quick Information

ADDRESS

1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

Timings

09:30–21:45

VISITORS PER YEAR

3000000

TICKETS

From € 12.50

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

UNESCO YEAR

1991

Plan your visit

Did you know?

1. Musee d’Orsay has an extensive collection of over 45,000 photographs, making it one of the first French museums to recognize photography as a form of art.

2. The museum features reconstructed rooms from the apartments of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, offering a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the 19th-century French ruling class.

3. Orsay Museum is mentioned in numerous written works, including an acclaimed literary work, “The Elegance of the Hedgehog” by Muriel Barbery.

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Book tickets to the Orsay Museum

Orsay Museum Fast-Track Tickets

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€12.50

Combo (Save 7%): Louvre Museum + Orsay Museum Tickets with Audio Guide

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€54.33

Orsay Museum Guided Tour: Home of the Impressionists

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2 hr.

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€50.20

Combo: Orsay Museum with Audio Guide + Orangerie Museum Tickets

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€39.91

Why visit the Orsay Museum?

The Orsay Museum is a former train station turned haven for 19th-century art. More than just a museum, the Orsay highlights a pivotal period of artistic innovation, and is home to the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Visitors can experience famous works like Monet's Impression, Sunrise, Renoir's Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, and Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône.

Beyond these celebrated paintings, the Orsay also showcases sculptures, photographs, and decorative arts of Art Nouveau style.

The museum's stunning Belle Époque architecture, with its soaring glass roof, grand central hall, and the iconic clock, makes it a treat for art lovers and architecture enthusiasts alike.

Brief history of Orsay Museum in Paris

1615: Following Marguerite de Valois' death, the land opposite the Louvre and Tuileries Gardens is sold, leading to the construction of mansions.
1708: Approval for a Seine River quay is granted but postponed until Napoleon Bonaparte's reign a century later.
1810-1838: The site transforms from cavalry barracks to the Palais d’Orsay, housing the Court of Accounts and the State Council.
1871: The Palais d’Orsay succumbs to fire during the Paris Commune.
1900: Architect Victor Alexandre Frederic Laloux designs the Gare d’Orsay railway station for the 1900 World Fair.
1939: Gare d’Orsay ceases operations due to technological advancements.
World War II: The station serves as a wartime mailing center.
1962: Orson Welles films "The Trial" at Gare d’Orsay.
1973: Gare d’Orsay shuts down.
1975: Approval to transform the station into a museum is granted.
1977: Gare d’Orsay gains historical building status.
1986: French President Francois Mitterrand inaugurates the Orsay Museum, housing 19th and 20th-century artworks.
1980s: The museum expands with art collections from the National Museum of Modern Art, Jeu de Paume, and Louvre, encompassing decorative arts, architecture, and photographs.

Who built the Orsay Museum?

The Orsay Museum is a renovated and repurposed structure that was originally the Gare d'Orsay railway station. The railway station was designed by architects Lucien Magne, Émile Bénard, and Victor Laloux, and was constructed for the World Fair of 1900. The transformation of the railway station into a museum in the 1970s involved architectural adaptations and renovations by a team of architects, with Gae Aulenti playing a significant role in the project. The museum was officially inaugurated in 1986.

Collections at the Orsay Museum

Fifth Floor

Focus: Impressionism

Key Highlights: Impression, Sunrise by Claude Monet, Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Significance: Features work during the movement by its key figures. Focus on capturing fleeting moments and the effects of light, and their shift away from traditional subject matter.

Fourth floor

Focus: Realism

Key Highlights: Olympia by Édouard Manet, The Gleaners by Jean-François Millet, The Thinker by Auguste Rodin (sculpture)

Significance: Focus on key works of the Realist movement, with emphasis on depicting contemporary life. It highlights artists who challenged traditional academic conventions and focused on depicting working-class subjects and everyday scenes.

Third floor

Focus: Post-Impressionism

Key Highlights: The Starry Night Over the Rhône by Vincent van Gogh, Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? by Paul Gauguin

Significance: Features a collection of Post-Impressionist works. Focus on subjective expression, symbolism, and the use of color and form to convey emotion and meaning.

Second floor

Focus: Art Nouveau

Key Highlights: Art Nouveau furniture from Belgium, Nancy, and Paris, drawn primarily from the Musée du Luxembourg and the Musée National d'Art Moderne, works by Hector Guimard, Victor Horta, Louis Majorelle, and more.

Significance: This floor showcases examples of Art Nouveau design, with focus on innovative forms, natural motifs, and exquisite craftsmanship.

First floor

Focus: 19th-Century Art (1848-1914)

Key Highlights: 19th-century artworks, "Ours blanc" sculpture by François Pompon, works related to Orientalism.

Significance: An overview of artistic production with styles and subjects from the19th century. Features works from academic paintings to the avant-garde. This served as the foundation for Impressionism and Post-Impressionism collections later.

Must-see artworks inside Orsay Museum

Starry Night over Rhone - Van Gogh

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Architecture of the Orsay Museum

The Orsay Museum's architecture is a beautiful mix of old and new. The outside has a classic, elegant look with sculptures and grand arches, reflective of the Beaux-Arts style .Inside, a huge glass roof lets in lots of light, and the old steel parts of the building give it a cool, industrial feel. The main area inside is now a big, open space for art.

The design was inspired by classic French style with elements from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It was unique for its time because it used new materials like iron, glass, and eventually steel. The glass-and-steel roof floods the interior with light, creating a bright ambiance.

Frequently asked questions about Orsay Museum

Where is the Orsay Museum located?

The museum is located at Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, along the Seine River, opposite the Tuileries Garden.

What are the opening hours of the Orsay Museum?

The museum operates from 9:30am to 6pm, with extended hours until 9:45pm on Thursdays. It is closed on Mondays.

What are the transportation options to reach the museum?

Visitors can reach the museum via RER line C to the Musée d'Orsay station, or by several bus lines including 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87, and 94.

Is the museum accessible to visitors with disabilities?

Yes, the Orsay Museum offers ramps, elevators, and wheelchair on loan for differently-abled guests.

What are the current exhibitions?

Current exhibitions include "Elmgreen & Dragset: L'Addition" until February 2nd, 2025, and "Drawing Cathedrals in the 19th Century" until March 2nd, 2025.

Are there dining options within the museum?

Yes, the Orsay Museum offers visitors dining options including Café Campana, known for its light, seasonal fare with fresh ingredients, and Café de la Gare situated inside the premises, serving traditional French cuisine.

Is photography allowed inside the museum?

Yes, however flash photography is not allowed.

Does the museum have a gift shop?

Yes, there is a book and gift shop located on the ground floor of the museum where visitors can purchase souvenirs, art books, and art catalogues.

Are pets allowed in the museum?

Pets are not allowed in the museum, except service animals.

Can I access the temporary exhibitions as well?

Yes, your tickets cover both temporary and permanent exhibits.

Are there guided tours available at museum?

Yes, guided tours are available at the museum, and you will learn about lesser-known facts about the building and the artwork.

How are the artworks organized at the Orsay Museum?

Artworks at the Orsay Museum are organized by artistic movement and time period from 1848 to 1914, showcasing Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Realist, Symbolist, and Art Nouveau works.