Musee d’Orsay | What to Expect, Tickets & FAQs |
Blog Summary

Explore the D’Orsay Museum in Paris, which hosts the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks. Plan now!
The national D’Orsay museum is situated on the left bank of the Seine.
Originally built as a railway station for the World Fair, it was later renovated to house French art between 1848 and 1914.
It has the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist artworks by masters such as Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Vincent van Gogh.
3.5 million people visit it early to admire masterpieces like the self-portrait by Van Gogh.
However, its popularity and crowds can make your visit quite overwhelming.
Don’t Worry! This article will explore everything about the Musée d’Orsay, from what to expect and how to reach there to the best tickets and more, to ensure that your journey becomes comfortable.
Musée d’Orsay in a Snapshot
Opening Hours | 9.30 am to 6 pm Monday: Closed |
Location | Esplanade Valery Giscard d’Estaing, 75007, Paris, France |
Collection Size | 18,000+ artworks |
Highlights | Starry Night, Self-Portrait |
Best time to visit | Early Morning and Late Afternoon on Weekdays; Thursday evenings. |
Tour Duration | 1.5 to 2 hours |
Ticket Price | $14 |
Ticket Link | Musee d’Orsay Entry Ticket |
What to Expect at the Musée d’Orsay?
As you enter the D’Orsay Museum, the vaulted arched ceiling and the golden clock will be the first things that will catch your eye.
You’ll begin on the ground floor, where Rodin’s and Carpeaux’s large sculptures sit proudly beneath the soaring iron-and-glass roof.
From there, you can take the elevator to the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces on the fifth floor.
Here, you will come face to face with masterpieces like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night Over the Rhône,” “Self-Portrait,” Monet’s “Water Lilies,” Renoir’s lively “Bal du moulin de la Galette,” and Degas’ elegant ballet dancers.
As you wander, do not miss the detailed model of Paris, which provides a bird’s-eye view of the city.
The clock window is the most photographed spot in the museum, and you can enjoy stunning views of Paris to Sacré-Cœur
This is a perfect spot to drink in the loveliness and take a photograph that you will never forget.
Before leaving, rest on the plush beanbag chair, a warm little nook where you can put your feet up.
If you’re hungry, go into the dining hall of the former station, now a classy restaurant with chandeliers and gold-covered walls.
The Musée d’Orsay is not just a museum but a trip through time, a look at the past, and an experience that will linger long after you depart.
Musée d’Orsay Hours
The D’Orsay museum’s opening hours are from 9 am to 6 pm throughout the week.
It operates until 9.45 pm on Thursdays.
The museum typically closes on Mondays, December 25th, and May 1st.
The last entry to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions is 5 pm and 5.15 pm, respectively.
But on Thursdays, you can enter until 9 pm.
Best Musée d’Orsay Tickets
We have curated the customizable bestselling tickets that you can buy according to your preferences.
Musee d’Orsay Entry Ticket
This is the most affordable option for accessing the world-famous Orsay Museum and exploring its permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Appreciate the museum’s architecture and spend as much time as you like admiring it.
You will get priority access to all the masterpieces of Renoir, Manet, Monet, and others.
This ticket, however, is non-refundable.