Tips for visiting the Musee d’Orsay in Paris
An old train station built for the 1900s World Fair, the Musée d’Orsay became the city’s premier museum for Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art when it opened in 1986. It’s the place to see all of the French art that you know so well: Monet, Seurat, Cezanne, etc. Far from a secret spot, everyone loves flocking to the museum to get a glimpse of these impressionist masterpieces.
Following renovations in 2009 and late 2011, the museum looks better than ever. It’s also one of the most popular spots in town, so it’s wise to plan ahead.
Here are our top tips for visiting Musée d’Orsay like a pro.
Transportation to Musée d’Orsay
The Metro is your best bet, with line 12 dropping you off at the Solferino station two blocks away. The RER C also stops at the museum, making it an easy commute from most anywhere in Paris.
Arrive early
While it’s hardly as palatial as the Louvre, the Orsay is, however, almost as popular. Unfortunately there’s only one way to get into the museum (unless you have a museum pass), so, yes, that line is for you! Arriving super early is of course a great idea (around 9 AM). Otherwise, prepare to queue up to enter at 9:30 AM.
The museum is open from 9:30 AM to 6 PM daily (9:45 PM on Thursdays), and closed Mondays.
Musée d’Orsay tickets and passes
Tickets cost €16 for the full adult fare when purchased online, or €14 at the museum. European Economic Area (EEA) citizens ages 18 to 26 get free admission.
Cheapo tip: Tickets sold after 6 PM on Thursdays are reduced to €12 online or €10 at the museum, and you’ll have until 9:45 PM to explore.
Note that admission to special exhibitions will tack on a few extra euros. See all admission charges here.
If you have a museum pass, the entrance is clearly marked by the group entrance door. (More about Paris museum tickets and passes.)
Give yourself more time by visiting on Thursday nights. Photo: fduk
Come late and save on Thursday
Like the Louvre, the Orsay stays open late one night a week, in this case on Thursday. From 6 to 9:45 PM, not only are tickets cheaper (€10-12), but crowds are thinner. Take advantage of the evening hours if you can to avoid the hustle and bustle of the rest of the week.
Guided tours/audio guides
A guided tour isn’t really necessary, though they are offered in English at various times for €5 (check website).
The audio guide can be helpful while navigating from one Impressionist painting to another. From the Degas’ ballerinas to Monet’s water lilies, many of the works are at least familiar to most visitors.
First Sundays are free (and crazy)
The first Sunday of the month is free for the Orsay, but, like the Louvre, it becomes a madhouse. We’re just warning you in advance!
Eating and drinking
The museum has a café and a restaurant (see on-site dining options here). Consider splurging at the museum’s chic restaurant, restored from the original Hotel d’Orsay. The classy spot offers a starter and main dish or a main dish and dessert for €27, or daily specials for €23.
True Cheapos, however, will probably want to head outside for food and drinks. The area behind the Musée d’Orsay stretches toward St-Germain. Nearby rue du Bac is also a happening street with many food options and cafés (the baker Eric Kayser has an outpost at 18 rue du Bac).
Looking for a cheap place to stay nearby? Check out our list of favorite budget hotels near the museum.
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Went today Sept.29th, 2016. No line up. Walked right in after security check of course! Best advise before going was to cross to the far wall and go up the escalator to the top (5th) floor. You are in the Impressionists gallery. Nothing seems to be on floor 4 or 3. Look at map once there to get oriented. Side rooms dedicated to varying artists are well labelled. Art works are only labelled in French. No sizes of art works not on labels. Some famous works not there. 2 art works being repaired in large glass enclosures. Could watch conservation artists at work.
Very few ‘tours’ going on which was a pleasant surprise compared to the Louvre and Uffizzi. Tours tend to hog famous art works for long periods of time. Saw only 1 person doing a ‘selfie’ in front of an art work where as Louvre and Uffizzi are crazy for this. No explanation but it was a nice surprise.
Need a minimum of half day to quickly go through museum. Audio €5 set up for chosen art works. Worth it.
A museum pass or waiting in line are not the only options. If you go to the Orangerie you can buy tickets for both it and the Musee D’Orsay. The Orangerie rarely has lines and is worth a visit. When you then go to the Musee D’Orsay, you skip the ticket-purchasing line and walk right in.
If you go to the recommended Kayser bakery, a 15 second walk around the corner is the superb Androuet cheese shop. And almost next door is the best Nicolas wine store in the city, where the ever affable Monsieur Rodas will give you cheerful help in English to help you pick a wine within your budget! (Both these establishments keep French afternoon closing hours.) If it’s summer, picnic in the tiny park in front of St. Clotilde.
Another excellent take away bakery/ patisserie shop with very reasonable prices is next to the Solferino metro shop: Gosselin, 258 boulevard Saint Germain.