Explore the Musée’ d’Orsay in Paris, which hosts the world’s largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks. Plan now!

Everything About the Musée’ d’Orsay!

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.

Musée’ d’Orsay 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 yearly 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

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 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 up 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 of Renoir, Manet, Monet, and other masterpieces.

This ticket, however, is non-refundable.

Inclusions:

• Priority access to the museum and its artworks
• Access to the Permanent and temporary exhibitions

Price:

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €13 ($15)

Child Ticket (up to 18 years): Free Entry

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Musée d’Orsay Guided Tour

For an in-depth understanding of the Musée d’Orsay and its attractions, consider taking a Musée d’Orsay guided tour.

This tour will give you quick access to the museum’s artworks, and your guide will accompany you throughout the journey.

You will begin by 10.15 am and spend up to 1.5 hours taking in the views and masterpieces.

You can cancel it up to 24 hours before the visit to get the full refund.

Inclusions:

• skip-the-line access to the museum
• Knowledgeable guide
• Audio guide
• Cloakroom for bags and clothes

Price:

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €68 ($77)

Child Ticket (up to 18 years): €58 ($66)

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Louvre Museum and D’Orsay Museum Combo Ticket

Combo tickets are popular for several reasons.

You would like to explore other places after thoroughly exploring the Musée d’Orsay.

Additionally, combo tickets are available at discounted prices and will cost less than the sum of the individual tickets.

In the same vein, the Louvre Museum and D’Orsay Museum Combo tickets allow for a thorough exploration of both these landmarks at a discounted cost within a day.

At 10 am, your 1.5-hour guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay begins under the supervision of an informed guide.

After lunch and some free time, you will go on an afternoon guided tour of the Louvre Museum.

Your guide will educate you about various masterpieces of the Louvre as you stroll across its galleries.

This ticket will provide priority access to both these attractions, and it can be cancelled anytime to receive a full refund.

Inclusions:

• 1.5-hour Musée d’Orsay Guided Tour
• 2-hour Louvre Museum Guided Tour
• An informed guide
• Audio aid for better hearing of guides

Price:

Adult Ticket (18+ years): €118 ($134)

Child Ticket (up to 18 years): €99 ($112)

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How to Get to Musée d’Orsay?

The Musée d’Orsay’s central location at Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing makes it easily accessible through multiple transport options, including metro, RER, bus, and car.

By Metro:

The metro is a very comfortable way of reaching the D’Orsay museum.

You can take Line 12 and get off at the Solferino station.

The D’Orsay Museum is only a 5-minute walk from there.

Alternatively, you can take Line 1 to the Tuileries garden station.

A 10-minute scenic walk from there will take you to the Musée d’Orsay.

By RER:

If suburban trains are your preferred option, you can board RER Line C to the Orsay Museum.

Similarly, you can also take RER Line B to Saint Michael Notre-Dame station.

By Bus:

Buses are the most affordable way of traveling from one place to another.

Buses 68 and 69 will drop you directly at the Orsay Museum’s entrance.

By Car:

You can also drive to the museum yourself.

Use apps like Google Maps to find the exact location and direction of the museum.

However, it can be difficult to find parking spots, particularly during peak times.

We recommend you park at Indigo Parking Bac Montelbert.

This parking space is a 7-minute walk from the Musée d’Orsay.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the Orsay Museum depends on your preferences.

If you want to have the museum by yourself, visit it early in the morning as soon as it opens (9 am).

Similarly, plan your visit on weekdays because weekends are usually very crowded.

Spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) are the best months because of fewer crowds and pleasant weather.

How Long Does it Take

With online tickets, you will need 2 hours for a quick tour of the Orsay Museum.

But without them, be prepared to stand in ticket lines for up to 50 minutes.

You can also allocate up to 3 hours for a deeper exploration of its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries.

If you choose audio guides, they will also contribute to extending your visiting time.

Finally, you may want to relax and recharge at the museum’s cafes and gift shops.

Therefore, a proper exploration, minus advance booking, will take somewhere between 3.5 and 4 hours.

Tips for Visiting Musée d’Orsay

Our experts have curated these visiting tips to simplify your visit to the Orsay Museum.

Remember them, and thank us later:

• Arrive Early: If you want a head start over the crowds, visit the museum as soon as it opens at 9 am
• Plan for Weekdays: Avoid weekends as they are very crowded; consider visiting on Thursdays as museum operates for extended hours
• Wear Comfortable Footwear: Your tour of the Orsay museum will involve lot of walking, and therefore it is recommended to wear soft-soled shoes
• Pack Lightly: Heavy bags, pointed objects, and spray guns are strictly not allowed
• Do not miss the giant Clock: The clock provides scintillating views of the Sacré-Cœur and Seine River, and should not be missed
• Take Audio Guides: To prioritise top masterpieces, and their in-depth understanding, take an audio guide
• Dress properly: Some rooms may feel cooler while others are warm. It is recommend to dress lightly and in layers
• Book in Advance: Avoid long ticket lines and security checks by booking skip-the-line online tickets to Musée d’Orsay

People Also Ask….

Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Musee d’Orsay?

Although you can purchase tickets on the day of your visit, you will have to endure long queues, security checks, and occasionally last-minute disappointment.

Therefore, it is recommended to buy tickets in advance; by doing this, you will get your favorite time slot without waiting in lines.

Are 2 hours enough for Musée d’Orsay?

With pre-booked tickets, you can tour the D’Orsay Museum within 2 hours.

However, if you want a thorough exploration of the impressionist and post-impressionist galleries, some time to admire the giant clock, and visits to the cafes and shops, spare at least 3 hours.

What is the best day of the week to visit the Musée d’Orsay?

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are ideal for a visit because of lesser crowds.

Thursdays are particularly special because the Musée d’Orsay opens for extended hours until 9.45 pm.

Is Musée d’Orsay free?

No, Musee d’Orsay is not free.

However, it allows free entry on the first Sunday of every month.

But, you have to book online so that the visitor flow stays manageable.

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

The D’Orsay Museum entry ticket is the most-affordable option that will let you bypass long lines and have quick access to the museum’s impressionist and post-impressionist galleries.

How much does the Musee d’Orsay guided tour cost?

The Musee d’Orsay guided tour is priced at €68 ($77) for adults over 18.

Children under 18 can avail of this experience at a discounted cost of €58 ($66).

However, they must be accompanied by consenting adults.

Are online tickets refundable?

Yes, our entry tickets, guided tours, and combo tickets are refundable.

You can cancel them anytime up to 24 hours before your visit to get a complete refund.

Do we need printouts of online tickets?

No, printouts are not necessary.

Your online tickets will be emailed to you upon successfull reservation.

Simply show them on your mobile device at the entrance, and you will be good to go.

Is Musee d’Orsay better than the Louvre?

Louvre’s art collection ranges from ancient to modern art whereas the D’orsay’s focus is on Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks.

While Louvre is brimming with masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, the Musee d’Orsay’s charm lies in its elegant setup and 19th century art.

We recommend you to take the Louvre Museum and Musee D’Orsay combo tour, which encompasses the best of both worlds at discounted prices.

Explore both the museums with an informed guide, and let us know which one you find better.

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