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Musee D’ Orsay, Paris

Musee d’ Orsay, Paris

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Overview

An absolute architectural masterpiece with the most incredible collection of artwork in the world, Musee d’ Orsay, is a gem of Paris displaying a collection of impressionist and post- impressionist art. Located in a former railway station, the museum opens the door to the era of romanticism, neoclassicism, expressionism and impressionism. A visit to the place will make you feel that you are watching alive presentations because of the magic of the building and the presentations.

Brief History of Musee d’ Orsay

Let’s go through the history of one of the best museums in the world. Built for the 1900s World fair, this beautiful masterpiece went through multiple changes in its lifetime; first a railway station, then a mailing centre and then a set for various films. The museum survived a demolition plan in 1970. Finally, the Directorate of France Museums brought up the idea of building a museum. Gae Aulenti, an Italian architect built it from 1981 – 1986 with an amazing interior. With over 2000 paintings and 600 plus sculptures, the museum stands tall amongst all the other museums in the world. This 34 year old museum gets about 3 million visitors every year.

Location: Saint Germain des Prés Neighbourhood, between Quai Anatole France and Rue de Lille.

Timings:

9:30 am to 6:00 pm daily, except Mondays and Thursdays.
9:30 am to 9:45 pm on Thursdays.
Closed on Mondays, 1st May and 25th December.

Ticket price: EUR 12- EUR 16.

How To Reach The Musee d’ Orsay?

By metro: Take the RER Line C and get off at stop Musée d’Orsay or Metro Line 12 getting off at stop Solferino.

By walk: The museum is a 12 minute walk from the Louvre museum. It’s literally in front of the Louvre museum on the other side of the Seine river. You can easily walk there.

Best Time To Visit Musee d’ Orsay

The best times to visit Musee d’ Orsay are early mornings or Thursday evenings. Avoid visiting on weekends and Tuesdays.

Must See Exhibits in Musee d’ Orsay

Poppy Field, Claude Monet.
Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh.
Small Dancer Aged 14, Edgar Degas.
Bazille’s Studio, Frederic Bazille.

Things To Know Before You Visit Musee d’ Orsay

Musee d’Orsay can be quite crowded on any given day. Thousands of art lovers, travelers and local residents queue up at the ticketing counters for up to an hour. We are sharing a few tips to avoid standing in the long queues:

Book skip line tickets online to beat the queues at ticket counters.
Visit anytime during the opening time especially during the peak tourist season to avoid the crowd.
Choose the right entrance: Out of four entrances (A, B, C and D), Gate C is for visitors holding a ticket in advance and provides a quick entry into the museum. Gate A is for visitors who want to buy the tickets on the spot after reaching the museum. Gates B and D are reserved for adults in pre-booked groups and school groups respectively.
Least crowded on Thursdays after 9.45 PM and known as the best time to soak in the exhibits. The museum will be crowded during Saturdays and Sundays. The museum is also extra busy during peak season months like June and July and during rainy days in Paris.
Don’t try to see everything in one day. Plan ahead in advance what to see because you won’t be able to see everything in a single visit.
You might be able to visit Musee d’ Orsay for free if you are:

Under 18 years.
18 to 25 year olds who are citizens of EU member state.
Disabled visitor with one extra person.
Holder of a Paris museum card.
Visiting on 1st Sunday of every month.

Conclusion

Musee d’ Orsay is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Paris if you are an art lover. If you are planning to visit your dream place, Pickyourtrail can help you customize your travel itinerary and find exclusive Paris tour packages that will make your trip even more special. So don't wait any longer; plan your trip to Paris today.

FAQ

What is Musee d’ Orsay famous for?

Musee d’ Orsay is famous for its vast collection of impressionist paintings by the painters Monet, Manet, Pissarro, Morisot and Renoir.

Can you enter Musee d’ Orsay for free?

Musee d’ Orsay is free for all visitors on the 1st Sunday of every month. You can access the museum freely if you are below 18 years old or a citizen of an EU member state who is between the ages of 18 and 25. 

How much time do I need at Musee d’ Orsay?

The Orsay museum has over 6,000 pieces of art out of which about 3,000 are on display permanently. We recommend spending anywhere between 2 to 4 hours on your visit, based on your day’s schedule. 

How do you skip the line at Musee d’ Orsay?

Explore one of the world’s famous art museums at your own pace with a skip-the-line ticket to the Musee d’ Orsay. Avoid the hassle of ticket counters and lengthy lines. Simply show your voucher at the special entrance for visitors with pre-bought tickets. After a security check, you’ll be able to walk straight inside. 

How to get to Musee d’ Orsay by metro?

The nearest metro station to the Musee d’ Orsay is Solferino, which is on line 12. From there, it’s just a couple of minutes walk to the museum. You can also take the RER Line C and get off at stop Musée d’Orsay. 

Which floor is best in Musee d’ Orsay?

The top floor of the Musee d’ Orsay arguably houses the most breathtaking galleries in the museum. Here, you can find countless great works from the impressionist and expressionist movements. Some of the highlights include works by impressionist Degas, Monet, Renoir, Pissaro, Caillebotte and Sisley. 