Visiting the Musée d’Orsay museum in Paris? The Musée d’Orsay is without doubt one of the richest and most exciting fine art museums in the world. Housed in a former train station, it is a must-visit destination for art lovers and travelers who want to enjoy the splendor of 19th and 20th century art. The permanent collection houses hundreds of breathtaking original works by masters of early modern and Impressionist art, including Henri Matisse, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh and Auguste Rodin. The globally beloved museum, like the Louvre Museum in Paris, also hosts several major temporary exhibitions and special events throughout the year.
All these reasons explain why this museum tops the list for many of Paris’s most interesting and iconic attractions. In this blog article we tell you the most important things and fun facts to fully enjoy your visit and entrance to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. But also where you can buy tickets for the Musée d’Orsay and how much a visit will cost you. It is better to buy your tickets for the museum online in advance to avoid the queues. With our tips you can visit one of the 10 best museums in Paris without any worries. Be sure to read our frequently asked questions about Musée d’Orsay and discover the price of a ticket reservation, opening hours/times, address, etc.
• Fun to do: Musée d’Orsay Skip-the-line Ticket with Guided Tour (2h) →
1. Tickets & prices for a visit to the Musée d’Orsay in Paris
What is the price for a ticket to visit Musee d’Orsay? The price for a ticket with entrance to the museum is €17. It is best to buy tickets and make your reservation in advance. You can choose to buy tickets at the Musée d’Orsay itself. There is of course a ticket counter at the entrance. However, this is not always the most convenient option, especially during holidays, when there can be long queues. A more convenient option is to buy tickets online. This allows you to reserve your ticket in advance and skip the lines.
Admission is free for some visitors to the Musée d’Orsay:
– Free for all visitors on the first Sunday of every month
– Free for visitors under 18 years old
– Free for visitors aged 18 to 25 who are citizens of an EU Member State
– Free for unemployed visitors
– Free for disabled visitors
– Free for Paris Museum Pass holders
2. Admire the collections of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris
One of the world’s most visited museums, the Musée d’Orsay is home to the largest collection of paintings, sculpture and decorative objects produced between 1848-1914, and displays many of the most notable works of the early modern period. Yes, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris is smaller than the Louvre and no, you won’t find the Mona Lisa and her enchanting smile there. But you will discover an exquisitely curated art collection in a centuries-old train station. It’s pretty cool and a bit quirky, just what Parisians prefer.
Offering visitors a detailed and breathtaking look at the birth of modern painting, sculpture, design and even photography, Orsay’s permanent collection ranges from Neoclassicism and Romanticism to Impressionism, Expressionism and Art Nouveau design. Highlights of the world-class collection include masterpieces by artists such as Ingres, Delacroix, Monet, Degas, Manet, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec and Van Gogh. The permanent collection includes four main levels and an exhibition space on the terrace. The collection is presented chronologically and according to artistic movements.
3. The history of the world famous Orsay museum
Located on the Left Bank of the Seine, the Musée d’Orsay opened its doors in 1986 and has since enchanted countless visitors with its extensive collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and other works of art from the 19th and early 20th centuries. What makes this museum extra special is the location itself. The building was originally the Gare d’Orsay, a train station built for the 1900 World’s Fair. The stately design and large glass roof make the Musée d’Orsay not only an art shed, but also an architectural masterpiece.
4. Practical tips for a visit to the Musée d’Orsay
– There is a lot to see at the Musée d’Orsay, so plan your visit well. See how the collections are organized, familiarize yourself with some of the most important artists and masterpieces on display, and then plan to spend more time with a selected period or series of artists.
– Avoid the crowds. The Musée d’Orsay attracts around three million visitors every year and will therefore always be relatively busy. But during the low season and on weekdays it is less busy. The chance of large crowds is also less during lunch hours and on Thursday evenings (open until 9:45 p.m.).
– At the Musée d’Orsay there are separate and special entrances for individuals, groups and members or professionals outside the museum. Avoid wasting time by joining the correct queue upon arrival. You can also consider buying skip-the-line tickets to beat the crowds and get in even earlier.
– Are you visiting the museum for the first time? Then a tour is one of the best ways to get an overview of the periods, artists and great masterpieces that appear in the collections. The museum offers numerous guided tours in English for individuals and groups. Please note that tours are offered on select days, subject to change.
– The museum regularly curates major temporary exhibitions on important artists and movements from the period 1848-1914, giving visitors new insight into the exciting developments of the 19th century. There are also regular special events such as concerts, film screenings and festivals, and art-inspired shows.
Visiting the Musée d’Orsay in Paris should definitely not be missing from your bucket list. Ask a local what their favorite museum in the city is, and they probably won’t say the Louvre museum in Paris. The Musée d’Orsay takes pride of place in the hearts of many Parisians. Good to know: admission to the Musée d’Orsay is free on the first Sunday of every month and it is of course very busy.
Frequently asked questions about Musée d’Orsay in Paris & tickets
Buy your tickets for a visit to the Musee d'Orsay online in advance via the link below. You can also choose to buy tickets at the museum itself. However, this is not always the most convenient option, especially during holidays, when there can be long queues.
The price for a ticket with access to Musée d'Orsay is €17. It is best to buy tickets in advance to skip the queues. You can of course also opt for a guided tour of the museum.
The address of Musée d'Orsay is Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris
These are the opening hours of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris:
- Saturday 09:30–18:00
- Sunday 09:30–18:00
- Closed on Mondays
- Tuesday 09:30–18:00
- Wednesday 09:30–18:00
- Thursday 09:30–21:45
- Friday 09:30–18:00
• Free for all visitors on the first Sunday of every month
• Free for visitors under 18 years old
• Free for visitors aged 18 to 25 who are citizens of an EU Member State
• Free for unemployed visitors
• Free for disabled visitors
• Free for Paris Museum Pass holders
