Visit Musee d’Orsay Without Waiting: Paris’ Top Museum

The gem of Paris displaying artistic creations curated from 1848 to 1914, Musee d’Orsay is without a doubt one of the best museums in the world. A visit to this place would make you feel like these presentations are alive in front of you and that’s the magic of the building, the collection, staff, and the presentation in there. Originally a train station called Gare d’Orsay, the Musee d’Orsay is an absolute architectural masterpiece with the most incredible collection of art in the world. Musee d’Orsay is famous for its collections of the Impressionist masterpieces created by Edouard Manet, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and more talking about the window into the era of romanticism, impressionism, neoclassicism, expressionism and art nouveau.

Brief history of Musee d’Orsay

A little bit about the interesting history of Musee d’Orsay for you. Built for the 1900s World Fair, this beautiful masterpiece went through multiple changes from being a railway station, then a mailing centre and then a set for various films, and surviving a demolish plan in 1970. Finally, the Directorate of France Museums brought up the idea of building a museum. After an elaborate competition with details and amazing interior, Gae Aulenti, an Italian architect built it from 1981 – 1986. Since then, this 34-year-old museum gets about 3 million visitors a year. With over 2000 paintings and 600 plus sculptures, the museum stands tall amongst all the other museums in the world.

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

Tips to beat the crowd at Musee d’Orsay

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

1. Book Tickets online to beat the queues at ticket counters. (well known – we know, still there are long queues, so we might as well share it)
   
2. 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 school and adult groups.
   
3. Least crowded on Thursdays after 9.45 PM and known as the best time to soak in the exhibits.

Suggested read: Museum Visits in Paris – A complete guide to visit the Marvelous Museums of Paris

Practical Information of Musee d’Orsay

Timings:

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

Free Entrance for Orsay Museum

If you meet any of the following conditions, then you will receive free entry to the museum:

• Everyone under 18-year-olds
  
• 18-25-year-olds who are citizens or long-term residents of an EU member state
  
• Disabled visitors with one extra person
  
• Holders of a Paris Museum pass
  
• Everyone on the first Sunday of the month

Musee d’Orsay is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Paris if you appreciate art and architecture. All our Pickyourtrail travellers who paid a visit to this gem of Paris have absolutely loved it. Head over to pickyourtrail.com to plan your dream itinerary to Paris with the skip the line access to the Musee d’Orsay.