Musée d'Orsay

Impressionist museum in a former railway station. World's largest collection of Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Degas.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.