Orsay Museum: reviews, price 2026 and Exclusive Promo Code

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4.8/5 12 reviews
1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur , 75007 Paris, France
1 rue de la Légion d'Honneur , 75007 Paris, France
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Musee Orsay
musée d'orsay

Orsay Museum, a cathedral of light for Impressionism

It is 9:30 a.m. and the doors have just opened. Morning light pours through the massive glass roof, flooding the 138-meter-long nave and illuminating the sculptures lining the center aisle. On the fifth floor, the blues of Monet and the yellows of Van Gogh wait for the first visitors. This temple of art, where time seems to hang on the hands of the monumental clocks, houses the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works in the world.

Why visit the Orsay Museum?

The Orsay Museum holds nearly 4,000 works spanning from 1848 to 1914. This collection bridges the chronological gap between the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou. You will find Manet, Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, and Gauguin, alongside sculptors like Rodin and Art Nouveau masters such as Émile Gallé.

Beyond the paintings, the architecture itself is a work of art. The former train station, built by Victor Laloux for the 1900 World Fair, elegantly blends its 12,000-ton metal structure with a carved stone facade. The vault reaches 32 meters high, bathing the galleries in natural light that is ideal for viewing the art.

A station saved from the wrecking ball

The Gare d'Orsay station served southwestern France until 1939. Its platforms, too short for modern trains, led to its abandonment. It nearly faced demolition in the 1960s. A theater company occupied the space for six years, sparing it from destruction. Its designation as a historic monument in 1978 sealed its fate. The architect Gae Aulenti designed the interior layout, which was inaugurated in 1986 under the direction of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.

Masterpieces to look for

On the fifth floor: the Impressionist heart

The top-level galleries hold the most famous canvases. Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette by Renoir captures the joy of a Parisian Sunday. Starry Night Over the Rhône and the self-portraits by Van Gogh are mesmerizing in their intensity. Poppies and Rue Montorgueil by Monet vibrate with bright colors. The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years by Degas, a sculpture made of wax and fabric, is striking for its realism.

On the ground floor: realism and its bold strokes

The Origin of the World by Gustave Courbet remains the most controversial work in the museum. Painted in 1866 for an Ottoman diplomat, it was hidden for over a century, passing through the hands of psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan. It has only been on public display since 1995. Luncheon on the Grass and Olympia by Manet reflect the scandals that shook official Salons.

Insider tip: Head straight to the fifth floor as soon as you arrive. Tour groups usually arrive around 10:30 a.m. and the Impressionist gallery fills up quickly. During the Thursday evening extended hours, the crowds thin out significantly after 6:00 p.m.

The clocks and the view of Paris

The three monumental clocks are reminders of the building's railway past. The one in the main hall is richly gilded and sets the pace for your visit. The two large glass clocks on the Seine side offer a spectacular frame to photograph the view of the Louvre, the Tuileries, and the Sacré-Coeur. Their transparent dials, measuring 2.5 meters in diameter, frame the Right Bank like a living painting. The cafe on the fifth floor, located just behind one of them, offers a break with a panoramic view.

Planning your visit

The museum spans five levels. The ground floor houses sculptures, realism, and temporary exhibitions. The second floor features decorative arts and Art Nouveau furniture, which is often quiet mid-day. The fifth floor is dedicated to Impressionism. An auditorium with 347 seats hosts concerts and lectures.

Also keep an eye out for:

  • The Artist's Studio by Courbet, a monumental canvas nearly 6 meters wide
  • The Rodin terrace with The Gates of Hell
  • The Tahitian canvases by Gauguin
  • The historic restaurant and its painted ceilings

Two entrances provide access to the museum. Entrance A serves visitors without tickets. Entrance C, reserved for those who bought tickets online, significantly reduces wait times. Combined tickets with the Orangerie Museum or the Rodin Museum allow you to extend your exploration.

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Opening hours

Open Tuesday through Sunday: 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM). Late night on Thursday until 9:45 PM (last entry at 9:00 PM). Closed Mondays, May 1, and December 25.
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Orsay Museum

Add my review
Summary of 12 reviews
4.8/5
Average rating
+46
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4.3
As a couple
4.9
With friends
4.8

Avygeo ranking

#9
in the world
#9
in Europe
#6
in France
#4
in Paris

Incredible collection

The Orsay Museum is one of my favorites. If you love Impressionism as much as I do, you will not be disappointed. The museum houses one of the largest collections of Impressionist paintings, including superb works by Monet and Renoir. Remember to book your spot in advance.

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THE museum for Impressionism

The Orsay Museum is one of the most beautiful monuments in Paris and its collections are impressive. You can see a large number of Impressionist works there, by Monet, Manet, and even Courbet. The paintings on display and the architecture make for a unique visit. Do not hesitate to go with your children to help them discover all these masterpieces.

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A must-see museum with tons of charm

My first visit to the Orsay Museum really impressed me, especially with its charming interior. The clock on the top floor offers the perfect viewpoint for a great photo.
The museum is a victim of its own success and is often very crowded, so I would recommend visiting on a weekday. The exhibitions are varied and interesting, and the permanent collection is very complete. It is a must-see in Paris.

A quick tip: admission is free on the first Sunday of every month, provided you book 1 month in advance (be careful, tickets go very fast!).

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Art in a stunning setting

I love the slightly retro atmosphere of the Orsay Museum. You really get the feeling of attending an exhibition from back in the day. In my opinion, the setting adds so much charm to the place since it is a former train station.

The museum is huge and you will discover paintings by the greatest artists. So, I advise you to plan your visit in advance!

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The charm of the Orsay Museum at night

The Orsay Museum is a really interesting place. The fact that it is set in an old train station makes the experience unique. It features a huge collection of Impressionist paintings and Art Nouveau, along with a wide variety of sculptures. It is a true journey through the 19th and 20th centuries. I was lucky enough to take a night tour on a Thursday evening, as the museum is open until 9:45 PM. The evening atmosphere is more intimate. The ticket costs €12 for the night session (and €16 for the full daytime rate).

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Impressionist masterpieces

Along with the Louvre, Orsay is the second art museum you absolutely must visit in Paris. The setting of the former train station is amazing with its splendid vaulted ceiling, glass roofs, and beautiful golden clock. Among the permanent collections, you can especially admire magnificent paintings by Monet, Renoir, or even Gauguin. The temporary exhibitions, like the last one dedicated to Gustave Caillebotte, are always fabulous, educational, and very well put together. Remember to stop by the museum cafe, which offers an incredible view of Montmartre through the clock face. A quick tip, booking a skip-the-line ticket with a time slot lets you get in much faster, especially for the exhibitions.

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A museum in an old train station, a stroke of genius

I love the architecture and the light in this museum. The artworks, especially the paintings and sculptures, are displayed really well.
What a genius idea to turn this old train station into a museum!

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My favorite museum

The Orsay station is already a work of art in itself. The setting is magnificent and the architecture seems made to display art.

You can find some sublime classics there, like versions of Monet's Water Lilies or a replica of Rodin's incredible Gates of Hell.

Plus, you might get lucky enough to see temporary exhibitions. I was able to see the one on Degas's dancers and it was a marvel.

Really a museum not to be missed.

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Diversity inside a train station!

I recommend the Orsay Museum first of all for its unique architecture, since it is a former train station that is simply splendid! But I also recommend it, and mainly so, for the collection of artworks it holds. Just as many paintings as sculptures follow one another in this place that was once crowded with people waiting to catch their train. Today, this station is calm and visitors are only waiting for their train to another world offered by these works, which are worthy of the Louvre!
It is therefore pleasant and easy to move through this very special museum that will delight you and leave a mark on you with its diversity and originality, and I am sure of that!

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A place to discover

This old train station, successfully converted into a museum, contains a huge gallery with so many works to see. It is very easy to walk through. Impressive.

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Very varied styles

When you think of "Paris" and "museum," the Louvre is the first thing that comes to mind. Still, you shouldn't forget other great museums, like the Orsay Museum! Inside, you can discover many impressionist works with very different styles, but that is not all. Whether it is painting or sculpture, there is plenty to be surprised by. Even those who act unimpressed will open their eyes wide when walking through certain rooms. I remember a painting that was whimsical to say the least, full of colors, very over the top, with a fantasy theme (a knight, fairies, and gigantic flowers if I remember correctly)... I was so impressed that even today I am not really sure what to think of it... that is the power of art!

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Art in all its forms

This museum houses some superb art collections, especially a large collection of Impressionist paintings. The place is huge, and there are a lot of exhibits to admire. This museum is very popular, so it is better to buy your ticket online to avoid the long line. On the 5th floor, you will find a panoramic view of the outside overlooking the Seine, with the Sacré Coeur Basilica in the background. It is worth a look!

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