Musée d'Orsay

Introduction

The Musée d'Orsay is best known for its amazing collection of masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism (the largest in the world), the two arts movements that began and came to prominence in Paris. The works by Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Gauguin and Van Gogh are all on exhibit in this famous museum. Sculptures by Rodin, Gauguin, Cavelier and Claudel can also be found here. Other photographs and decorative arts from similar time span (late 19th century/early 20th century) are also present.

The museum is housed in a former train station, the Gare d'Orsay, which is an impressive Beaux-Arts edifice, built in time for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. Outside the museum near the main entrance, a number of sculptures are also on display. At the museum square, there is a series of 6 allegorical sculptures representing South America, North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa, which were originally made for 1878 Exposition Universelle. Additionally, there is also a series of bronze animal sculptures by the stairs, including a horse, a rhino and an elephant.

Opening Hours

Daily except Monday: 9.30 am to 6.00 pm (last admission 5.00 pm, museum clearing at 5.30 pm)
Extended hours: Thursday until 9.45 pm (last admission 9.00 pm, museum clearing at 9.15 pm)
Group visits, pre-booked only: 9.30 am to 4.00 pm (Thursdays until 8.00 pm)

• Holiday closure: 1 January, 25 December
• Pre-holiday hours: 24 December and 31 December at 5.00 pm

Cost

Musée d'Orsay

Standard ticket: €9.50

Concession ticket: €7.00

• for 18-25 years old from non-EU countries
• for 26-30 years old
• for everyone from 4.15 pm (except Thursdays, from 6.00 pm)

The museum is free for everyone on first Sunday of the month. It is also free to all visitors under the age of 18, and to visitors between 18 and 25 years old who are citizens or legal residents of EU countries. For full list of conditions for free entry, please consult this list.

Combined Ticket

1 ticket for 2 museums on the same day:

• Musée d'Orsay - Musée de l'Orangerie Passport: €13 (Wednesday to Sunday)
• Musée d'Orsay - Musée Rodin Passport: €12

Keep ticket to obtain reduction for visit within a week to the following:

• Gustave Moreau National Museum
• Palais Garnier (Paris National Opera) unguided visit

Audioguide Hire

• Hire charge: €5 per audioguide
• Special rate for Carte Blanche cardholders: €4
• Special rate for MuséO members: €3

Musee D'Orsay 2

© ristinw

Getting There

By Métro / RER

• Métro line 12: Solférino, Assemblée Nationale
• RER C: Musée d'Orsay

By Car

Closest carpark is across the road from the museum along the quay, called Deligny. Alternatively, use the carpark at Louvre or Montalembert.

By Bus

• Bus 24, 68 and 69 stops in front of the museum
• Bus 73 stops nearby on rue Solférino
• Bus 63, 69, 83, 84 and 94 stops by Solférino métro station

By Boat

Batobus stop: Musée d'Orsay (Port de Solférino)

Food and Drink

There are café and restaurant for visitors with museum admission tickets. Group dining at the restaurant must be pre-booked, and the restaurant may also be fully hired for private function up to 220 pax. There are also different restaurants and bistrots in the neighbouring streets.

Restaurant Hôtel d'Orsay

Dine in the magnificent dining room, complete with chandeliers and gold-gilded decorations, as well as a fully painted ceiling. The quality of the food is high, and the service efficient.

• Lunch – 11.45 am to 2.30 pm, daily except Mondays
• Tea room – 2.45 pm to 5.30 pm, except Thursdays
• Dinner – 7.00 pm to 9.30 pm, Thursdays only

Café des Hauteurs and terrace

A more casual dining setting, with various salads, gourmet sandwiches, pastries and cakes served. Group bookings are not available at the café. The open-air terrace is open during summer months.

• 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, daily except Mondays
• Late opening Thursdays until 9.00 pm

Boutique du Parvis

Located on the forecourt of the museum, the Boutique du Parvis offers take-away food including sandwiches, drinks and snacks (crêpes and waffles).

• 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, daily except Mondays

Other Sights Nearby

The following sights are just a short walk away from the Musée d'Orsay:

• Musée National de la Légion d'Honneur is located just to the opposite of the entrance to Musée d'Orsay. This museum is free for visit.
• Musée du Louvre is the home to Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace and Code of Hammurabi, among its collection of paintings, sculptures, antiquities and artefacts. It is just across the river from Musée d'Orsay.
• Jardin des Tuileries, similarly, is just a bridge away from Musée d'Orsay.
• Musée de l'Orangerie which is located within Jardin des Tuileries is therefore handy to visit too, particularly for combined ticket holder.
• Assemblée Nationale is the seat of the national assembly of France. It is normally not open for individual visits except on Les Journées du Patrimoine. Group visits may be possible upon invitation.