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7% off
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Louvre Museum
Orsay Museum
Louvre Museum
Orsay Museum
10% off
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Orsay Museum
Seine River Cruise
Orsay Museum
Seine River Cruise
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Orsay Museum
Orangerie Museum
Orsay Museum
Orangerie Museum
Go for: Entry tickets
Duration: 2- 3 hours
Guide: Self-guided
Recommended Tours
Go for: Fast-track entry tickets
Duration: 2 hours
Guide: Professional Tour Guide
Recommended Tours
Go for: Combo tickets
Duration: Flexible
Guide: Self-guided
Recommended Tours
Go for: Walking Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Guide: Professional tour guide
Recommended Tours
Between 1810 and 1838, the site where Orsay stands today served as cavalry barracks and later a grand palace. The palace, Palais d’Orsay, housed the Court of Accounts and the State Council. By 1912, both institutions had moved to the Cambon Palace and Palais-Royal, respectively.
The site of the Palais d'Orsay was bought by the Compagnie Paris-Orléans, which erected a new station, the Gare d'Orsay here. The station was designed by French architect Victor Alexandre Frederic Laloux. It was constructed in a neoclassical style with a stone facade that could hide metal and glass frames and was equipped with modern amenities like lifts and escalators. In 1939, the railway station halted operation the platforms became unsuitable for modern trains. Eventually, in 1978 the station was put on the supplementary list of Historic Monuments and it was decided that the station would be turned into a museum. The Orsay museum officially opened in December 1986.
History of Orsay MuseumThe Orsay Museum building holds a magnificent secret from its past life as a railway station: a towering clock that reigns on the fifth floor. This timepiece is no ordinary one; it's the heart of the Great Clock, a reminder of the building's bustling history.
The clock does not stand simply as a reminder of the past; it offers stunning views of the Seine River, and famous Parisian landmarks nearby such as the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden, and Sacre Coeur.
Know MoreOrsay is home to an impressive collection of French art dating from 1848 to 1914, with much of the focus on Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces. The Orsay collection includes over 6,000 works of art, which include paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. Of these, 3,000 works form part of the museum's permanent collection.
Notable works include Poppies by Monet, The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, The Age of Bronze by Auguste Rodin, and photographs by Gustave Le Gray.
Explore the Collection at OrsayPaintings make a significant portion of the Orsay Museum collection. You will find an impressive repertoire of 3,000 Realist, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and other 19th-century art. The vast collection includes works by artists some of the greatests such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Cezanne, and more.
Some of the most famous artworks include A Burial at Ornans by Gustave Courbet, Blue Water Lilies by Claude Monet, Frédéric Bazille's The Family Reunion, and Paul Cézanne's Apples and Oranges. Orsay is also home to 24 of Vincent van Gogh's paintings including L'Arlésienne, Bedroom in Arles, Self Portrait, The Siesta, The Church at Auvers, View from the Chevet, The Italian Woman, Starry Night, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Doctor Gachet's Garden in Auvers, and Saint-Rémy.
Detailed Overview of Paintings as OrsayAddress: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France.
Depending on the type of experience you would want, you can choose between a standard entry ticket, or a guided tour, which would allow you explore the museum along with and English-speaking expert guide. Or, you can opt for a combo tour, which would allow you to explore two important Paris attractions.
Those less than 18 years of age and EU citizens aged 25 and under, students of art history, differently-abled people and their accompanying person, holders of Pass Éducation cards, ICOM cards, Culture Passes, as well as members of the press, tour guides, and lecturers enjoy free entry to Orsay Museum. Entry to Orsay Museum is also free on the first Sunday of every month.
It depends on the Orsay Museum ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 48-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
If you are traveling on a budget it would best to opt for the standard entry tickets that allow you access to the Orsay Museum. You can explore the museum at your own pace. You can rent their audio guide for an even more fruitful experience.
Opt for a guided tour of the Orsay Museum ticket to get a more in-depth understanding of the museum and its collection. However, if you prefer to travel by yourself, you can choose the audio-guide variant of the ticket. Audio guides are available in 14 languages so you can explore Orsay at your own pace.
Opt for a combo tour as it allows you to explore one other iconic Paris attraction such as the Eiffel Tower or the Orangerie Museum for an extremely pocket-friendly rate.
Orsay Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30am to 6pm and on Thursday from 9:30am to 9:45pm.
You can visit Orsay Museum during early mornings or late evenings before closing to avoid large crowds.
The best way to travel to the Orsay Museum is by RER, bus or metro. If you take the RER Line C, get off at Musée d'Orsay station; if you take the Metro 12, get off at Solférino station, or take the bus lines 63 & 68 and get off at Solferino Station.