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Museum
Musée d'Orsay
Impressionist museum in a former railway station. World's largest collection of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Degas.
District:7th ArrondissementMetro:Solférino / Musée d'Orsay (RER C)Time:2–3 hoursPrice:From €16Official site:https://www.musee-orsay.fr
Crowd indicator
Mini-calculator based on crowd levels by day and time.
When to go?
Mini-calculator based on crowd levels by day and time.
Best time at Mon — 18:00
This day is usually calmer than average. This slot has a higher chance of a comfortable visit: compromise between light and visitor flow. Weather is currently not ideal: overcast ☁️.
30–50% · Quiet60–80% · Moderate90–100% · Crowded
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Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay is housed in the magnificent former Gare d'Orsay railway station (1900). It holds the world's finest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
Must-See Masterpieces
- "Starry Night Over the Rhône" — Van Gogh
- "Blue Dancers" — Degas
- "Luncheon on the Grass" — Manet
- "Water Lilies" series — Monet
- "Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette" — Renoir
Tips
- Start on the 5th floor (Impressionists) — everyone heads there, and it gets crowded by evening
- Open until 21:45 on Thursdays
- Don't miss the clock on the 5th floor — it offers a view of Montmartre
Opening hoursTue–Sun 09:30–18:00, Thu until 21:45. Closed Monday.
BookingBetter to book in advance
Best timeThursday evening or Tuesday morning
What to know beforehand
Top masterpieces: Van Gogh's "Starry Night Over the Rhône," Renoir's "Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette," Monet's "Poppy Field," Manet's "Luncheon on the Grass." 5th floor — Impressionists and Post-Impressionists (a must). Look behind the large clock on the 5th floor for a great view of Montmartre.
The 1st-floor restaurant in the former ballroom is worth visiting for the décor alone. Sculptures along the central nave of the ground floor are impressive in scale. The museum can be covered in 2–3 hours.
How to get there
Nearest stationSolférino / Musée d'Orsay (RER C)
Address1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris
How to find the entrance
1
Approach routeStart from Solférino / Musée d'Orsay (RER C). Leave enough time for the final walk to the actual entrance.2
Security and waitingExpect security, ticket checks, and a short waiting zone before the main entry sequence begins.The museum is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay railway station on the Left Bank of the Seine. Nearest metro: Solférino (line 12) or RER Musée d'Orsay (line C). Entrance A is for all visitors without tickets. Entrance C is priority for ticket/pass holders. Entrance D is for groups.
Queues are shorter on weekday mornings and evening hours (Thursday until 9:45 PM). Bicycle parking is available nearby.
What to consider before visiting
Prohibited: tripods, selfie sticks, bags over 60×40 cm (free cloakroom). Photography allowed without flash in permanent collections. Temporary exhibitions may prohibit photography. Food and drinks only in café areas. Touching artworks is forbidden. Backpacks must be worn in front or stored in cloakroom.
Pets not allowed. Skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters prohibited.
Location and what's nearby
Musée d'Orsay sits on the Seine embankment in the 7th arrondissement, opposite the Tuileries Garden. Across Pont Royal bridge is the Louvre (15-minute walk). 10 minutes away: Musée de l'Orangerie (Monet's Water Lilies) in the Tuileries. Nearby: Museum of the Legion of Honor, antique galleries on Rue du Bac.
15 minutes: Boulevard Saint-Germain (cafés, bookshops). Esplanade des Invalides is 10 minutes south. River cruises depart from nearby docks.
Tickets & tours
General Admission
- Price: €16 (adult)
- Includes: all permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
- Valid all day
Free Admission
- Free for everyone under 18
- Free for EU residents ages 18–25
- First Sunday of the month — free for all
Combined Ticket: Orsay + Orangerie
- Price: €20 (adult)
- Valid for 3 months
- Save €4
Guided Tour
- Price: €6 (plus admission ticket)
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Schedule on museum website
Pricing and how to choose
Price
From €16
- €16 (adult)
Includes
- all permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
Price
- €20 (adult)
Price
- €6 (plus admission ticket)
Duration
- 1.5 hours
At €16, more affordable than the Louvre (€22) with a comparable collection. The Orsay + Orangerie combo (€20) is an excellent deal, saving €4. Paris Museum Pass covers both museums. Free first Sundays are popular — arrive at opening.
For families: children under 18 enter free, making Orsay one of the best family museums. Audio guide is €6. The 5th-floor café behind the clock is atmospheric but pricey; the 1st-floor restaurant has luxurious décor, lunch ~€25.
Sunset slots and quieter hours
Best time: Tuesday or Wednesday morning (9:30–11:00 AM). Thursday evening (until 9:45 PM) is calm and atmospheric. Monday is CLOSED. Busiest: Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM–4:00 PM. Summer is peak season. January–March are the quietest months. First Sunday of the month is free but very crowded.
The Impressionist galleries on the 5th floor are always the most popular — head there first.
Reliability & freshness
AuthorAksel Paris Team
Related attractions
FAQ
How much is Orsay ticket?
€16 for adults. Free for under 18.
Best time to visit?
Thursday evening — fewest visitors.