Musee d’Orsay

The Musée d'Orsay is one of the most famous and visited museums in Paris and around the world. It is located on the left bank of the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Garden, and is housed in an impressive Beaux-Arts railway station built for the 1900 World Fair.

Musée d’Orsay – Information on Admission Prices, Tickets, Opening Hours, Waiting Times, and More Tips

The Musée d'Orsay is one of the most renowned and frequented museums in Paris and the world. Situated on the left bank of the Seine, opposite the Tuileries Garden, it is set in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station constructed for the 1900 World Fair. The museum hosts an extensive collection of artworks from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, including a stunning collection of Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. Here you will find masterpieces by artists like Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, and many others. In addition to paintings, there are also sculptures, furniture, and photographs. A visit to the Musée d'Orsay is a journey through one of the most exciting periods of art history and a must for any art lover.

History of the Musée d’Orsay in Paris

The Musée d'Orsay has a particularly interesting history as it is housed in a former railway station. The original station, Gare d'Orsay, was designed by architects Victor Laloux, Lucien Magne, and Émile Bénard in the Beaux-Arts style and opened for the 1900 World Fair in Paris. The station was revolutionary for its time as it was fully electrified and served as the terminus for the Paris-Orléans railway line.

Over the years, however, the station became less used as the platforms were too short for increasingly longer modern trains. During World War II, it served as a mailing center, and in the 1950s, a part of the building was used as a hotel. In the 1970s, there were even plans to demolish the building.

Fortunately, this fate was averted when the French government decided to convert the building into a museum. Architect Gae Aulenti was commissioned to renovate the interior of the building and adapt it for its new function as a museum. This project was particularly challenging as it involved transforming a functional railway station into a modern museum while retaining the architectural features of the original building.

The Musée d'Orsay was finally opened in December 1986, filling a gap in the Parisian museum landscape, as it focuses on artworks from the period of 1848 to 1914. This period was previously divided between the collections of the Louvre, which concentrates on art up to 1848, and the Centre Pompidou, focused on the art of the 20th and 21st centuries. The collection of the Musée d'Orsay includes an impressive number of works by the most famous artists of that time, including Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Manet, Renoir, and many others. It also houses an extensive collection of sculptures, photography, furniture, and other decorative arts from this period.

Today, the Musée d'Orsay is one of the most visited museums in the world and an integral part of the cultural life in Paris. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience some of the most important and beautiful artworks of the 19th and early 20th centuries in a unique and historically significant building.

How to Get to the Musée d’Orsay?

The Musée d’Orsay is located right on the Seine in the heart of Paris. On the other side of the river is the Louvre. To get to the museum, take Metro line 12 and get off at the "Solférino" station. Those traveling by RER (commuter train) can take line C and disembark at the "Gare Musée d'Orsay" station, which is just a few steps away from the museum's entrance.

Address	Transportation
1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur 75007 Paris	Solférino
	Musée d'Orsay
	Musée d'Orsay

How Much Does It Cost to Enter the Musée d’Orsay?

Adults aged 18 and over pay 16.00 Euros at the ticket counters on-site for entry to the museum. Children & teenagers up to the age of 18 generally have free admission. EU citizens can also visit the museum for free if they are under 26 years old.

Where Can I Buy Tickets for the Musée d’Orsay?

Tickets can be purchased directly at the ticket counters in the foyer. Additionally, tickets can also be bought online in advance. This saves queuing at the ticket counters and allows direct entry into the museum. Visitors without tickets should use Entrance A. Visitors who already have a Musée d’Orsay Ticket can use Entrance C.

BOOK MUSÉE D'ORSAY TICKETS

How Long Are the Waiting Times at the Musée d’Orsay?

The Musée d’Orsay is one of the most visited museums in Paris, as it is also in close proximity to the Louvre. During the high season, there can be very long waiting times at the entrance of the Musée d’Orsay, with two hours being not uncommon. We therefore recommend buying a ticket online in advance to use the entrance for ticket holders. Even here, there may be waiting times, but they are not as long as the queues for visitors without tickets.

What Entrances Are There at the Musée d’Orsay?

Entrance A: Visitors without tickets
Entrance B: Adult groups with tickets
Entrance C: Visitors with tickets
Entrance D: School groups with reservation

Overview Map of the Musée d’Orsay?

What Are the Opening Hours of the Musée d’Orsay?

The museum is open to visitors from 9:30 AM every day except Mondays throughout the year. The only closing days are January 1st and December 25th.

Current Special Exhibitions 2024 / 2025 at the Musée d’Orsay