Discover the Orsay Museum
Impressionist masterpieces in a grand setting.
🕰️ A bit of history!
Before it housed one of Paris' most emblematic museums, the Orsay Museum building was... a train station! Built for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, the Orsay train station welcomed trains from the southwest of France. It then became a reception center for prisoners, a theater and an exhibition space, before being transformed into a museum in 1986.
Today, the Orsay Museum is world-renowned for its exceptional collection of art from the 19th to the early 20th century, covering the period 1848-1914. It houses the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works.
Masterpieces include paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Gauguin and Cézanne.
ℹ️ How to visit?
The museum is open every day except Monday, from 9.30am to 6pm, with a late-night opening on Thursdays until 9.45pm.
We strongly recommend that you book your tickets in advance, especially during tourist periods.
Admission is charged (€14/person), except for European citizens under 26. Admission is free every 1st Sunday of the month, but reservations are recommended.
The museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility, and offers multilingual audioguides, guided tours and free maps at the entrance.
Free checkrooms are available (bulky bags not permitted).
⏱️ How long it takes?
Allow 1h30 to 2h00 to visit the permanent collection. Allow between 3h and 4h if you wish to take your time or also discover the temporary exhibitions.
📷 Best time to visit?
To make the most of your visit in a quieter, more pleasant setting, here are a few tips:
- Morning opening (9:30 a.m.): Fewer people, peaceful atmosphere for admiring the works.
- Thursday night (until 9:45pm): Unique atmosphere, fewer visitors, subdued lighting that enhances the paintings.
- Wednesdays and Fridays: These are the days when visitor numbers are generally lowest during the week.
Avoid busy weekends and public holidays.
🖼️ Must-see masterpieces !
🎨 The Origin of the World – Gustave Courbet
🎹 Young Girls at the Piano – Auguste Renoir
🚿 The Bathers – Auguste Renoir
💃 Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette – Pierre-Auguste Renoir
🎉 Rue Montorgueil – Claude Monet
🌺 Poppies – Claude Monet
🍊 Apples and Oranges – Paul Cézanne
🐻 Polar Bear – François Pompon
👨🎨 Self-Portrait – Vincent van Gogh
🌠 The Starry Night – Vincent van Gogh
🩰 The Dancers – Edgar Degas
📷 The panoramic view from the giant clock on the top floor, offering a breathtaking view of the Seine and Montmartre
🚇 How to get there?
- Metro: line 12, Solférino or Assemblée Nationale stations (5-minute walk)
- Bus: lines 24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84 and 94, Musée d'Orsay stop
- RER C: Musée d'Orsay station, exit right next to the museum
🚗 Private chauffeur service:
We can arrange a personalised transfer to the museum. Please do not hesitate to contact us at shuttle@saintlouis-hotels.com for any requests.
