Spectacular museum! Amazing art and beautiful setting. I loved the impressionist art. Definitely worth visiting. read more

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I've been to Musée d'Orsay twice over the years and have left both times feeling awed by what I saw and rueful of all I'd so obviously missed. You can't even speed run the place in two or three hours, and you probably need days or a lifetime to appreciate it in full. My more recent visit was earlier this month, with my husband and kids and other sundry family members, who spread out and explored the museum on their own. The d'Orsay opens at 9:30 in the morning and we booked tickets in advance for 10:00 entry. Getting in was quick and easy, and the crowd was pretty reasonable for the first hour or so, which we spent on the fifth floor. By the time we got to the special exhibit on the ground level, around noon, every room was thronged. We didn't make it to the second floor at all. The museum is a global treasure, a beautiful place with a staggering collection of French art, including the world's largest trove of Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings. The d'Orsay was once the Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. It would be worth visiting for the architecture and use of space and light alone. The art, of course, is genuinely amazing. If you have even a passing familiarity with paintings as a genre, you will walk around the d'Orsay going, "Oh, THAT's here?" I saw multiple paintings I'd encountered in jigsaw puzzles, or on the covers of Debussy piano books. Manet, Cezánne, Gauguin, Degas; a whole room of Van Gogh, including one of his most recognizable self-portraits and his "Bedroom in Arles" (a very enjoyable 2,000-piece puzzle). Monet everywhere--I guess the d'Orsay owns 86 of his paintings. I loved the mini-exhibit of five paintings of the Rouen Cathedral, and even my six-year-old appreciated, if purely for subject matter, "The Saint-Lazare Station." Our kids, it turns out, do not yet appreciate art, and were in ragged form for much of our visit. Our three-year-old demanded to be carried at all times and kept insisting he didn't like "these pictures." (He also objected to his first nude, "The Bathers" by Renoir: "Why aren't they wearing any clothes, even? They can wear pants. They can cover themselves.") We had to take a breather in the underground cafe, with water and snacks, and this gave us enough steam to make it back out to the main floor. We managed to zip through a few of the many rooms lining the main corridor on our way up to the Renoir exhibit at the front of the museum. This part of our visit could not have been more cursory, and yet we stumbled upon Courbet's self-portrait, "The Desperate Man"--a cool painting I'd never seen before--and Millet's "The Angelus," a painting I'd learned about at the d'Orsay many years earlier. The Renoir exhibit (Renoir and Love: A Joyful Modernity, apparently just ended) was spectacular, an expansive collection of iconic paintings displayed for maximum impact. It was also jam packed and slightly unpleasant to navigate with two children on the verge of meltdown. I'd love to go back to Paris and explore the d'Orsay at my leisure. I'm sure it'd also be worthwhile to go with a guide, and perhaps two older, well-behaved children who might get something out of the experience. In the meantime, I'm grateful I've been able to see the place at all. It's a marvelous museum, one of the greatest in the world. read more

One visit is not enough. When you learn to swim. One lesson is never enough. The more you dive into the depths and emerge for a breath of air, the more you enjoy. The more rapturous moments are grasped. Ah, so is the Musee d'Orsay. It is not a museum to plunge to once. One must visit multiple times. Otherwise, it is impossible to swim between exhibits, paddle through the intentions of artists. Be sure, you don't need to swim to enjoy the galleries. Even dog paddling between famous works is enjoyable. However, to truly move through exhibits with ease takes practice. You will thank yourself. read more

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Beautiful museum in Paris. If you book tickets ahead of time, you will save yourself time in line. The majority of the artwork is on the 5th floor including a water lilies painting by Monet. Other notable artists featured include Van Gogh, Pissaro, Manet, Degas and more. The view through the clock hands of the city is incredible. The 6th floor of the building has the bathrooms. They also have a great gift shop. I enjoyed all the cat themed items. read more

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Finally checked this museum off my list. May I be the first to admit I have always been more intrigued by the architecture and history of this building. But after my visit, the art is breathtaking. Originally the train station, Gare d'Orsay, was built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. A time when Paris was becoming a modern capitol city. The grand station was a triumph of high vaulted ceilings, tall windows, and huge archways decorated with metallic rosettes. Besides the trains, it had a luxury hotel and a splendid dining room that welcomed foreign dignitaries and celebrities. I can only imagine the ladies in their long skirts and men in their suits strolling the platforms to their train. By 1939 the station couldn't accommodate the newer trains. During WW II it was used as a postal substation, a center to process prisoners of war, and a parking garage. In 1977 it was suggestion to turn the station into a museum. In December 1986 the Musée d'Orsay was opened. Today Musée d'Orsay is home to works from over 900 artists from 1848 to 1914, beginning with Realism, then Impressionism, to Post-Impressionism. The collection celebrates the artists Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. As you spend at least 4 hours wandering the many smaller galleries before heading to the more noted pieces on the top floor, know there is a great cafe on the top floor that looks out the iconic clock. And a cafeteria style snack shop in the basement. read more

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We arrived at Musée d'Orsay without a pre bought ticket. The line wasn't that long so we decided to stay. We were inching along, and then suddenly the line moved really fast, they were letting people enter faster. We spent over 10 minutes and we were in. This museum is smaller than the Louvre, and has many floors and seems harder to navigate, so I just let my son take the lead and I followed. We took our time admiring the paintings: Monet, Lautrec, Van Gogh, Degas....some people are going with the flow, but some took too much time posing with the paintings, maybe thinking it's their personal studio .... We really like this museum. The time we went, there is a special exhibit dedicated to Renoir. read more

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While the Louvre gets all the attention as being *the* museum to visit when in Paris, I heard from multiple people that Musée d'Orsay was not to be missed, and that they actually preferred it to the former. Being a fan of museums in general, I wanted to check it out for myself -so I made plans to visit here our last full day in Paris. d'Orsay is housed inside an old train station, so right from the jump you're greeted with aesthetics. Outside of the works themselves, the architecture is exquisite and the building creates an intricate space to view all the exhibits. The space is divided into several floors, with the works being spread out in different rooms and on the main floor. One of the biggest standouts of d'Orsay is the large collection of impressionist art that it has. The museum holds several works by Money, Renoir, and Van Gogh - some them being their most iconic pieces. The museum was also exhibiting the works of John Singer Sargent, one of my favorite artists. Outside of that, I would definitely take the time to explore all the rooms - there are a lot of diverse pieces here and I learned a lot. They have a small cafe, and their gift shop is noteworthy in the fact that they have full-on bookstore in addition to the standard souvenirs. Overall, I had a wonderful visit at d'Orsay. The manageable size and diverse, interesting works they carry really made it a standout experience during my time in Paris. So yeah, I prefer this to the Louvre - sue me. I will definitely be returning my next trip to the city. read more

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Simply put the best museum in France. If you are planning your trip around the Louvre I would reconsider as I was disappointed in the Louvre compared to the Orsay. Renoir, Suarate, Van Gogh, Rodin, Toulouse, Monet, Manet, etc. It is hard to put words when you're reviewing these type of masterpieces. No question that should be the number one museum on your list. read more

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When Mom learned that there was a Sargent exhibit here, this museum immediately jumped to the top of her must-see list. Luckily, le Musée d'Orsay is included on the Paris Museum Pass. Also luckily: I could easily find a reserved time on our first day in Paris. (Win.) The Musée d'Orsay is located in a former train station, and much of the original architecture has been preserved, which makes for a gorgeous environment. (That happens a lot in Paris, and I am absolutely here for it: art in art? Yes, please!) Everywhere you turn, you'll find another beautiful thing. Don't forget to look up, down, and across. The Sargent exhibit was wonderful, my mom especially liked seeing Sargent's early work. I always love the sculpture. We both enjoyed walking up the "tower" that was at one end of the museum--it brought us close to the ceiling and gave a wonderful bird's eye view of the central corridor. read more

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Visiting the Musee d'Orsay is a can't miss experience when visiting Paris, especially if you love Impressionist art. Many of the masterpieces from the Impressionist period are on display - from Van Gogh to Manet to Renoir. I spotted many of my favorites alongside some lesser-known Impressionist works from artists who lived or were inspired by Parisian life during that era. While viewing all of these paintings is a highlight, the building itself is a former train station and is neat to explore. From the many windows along the perimeter of the museum, you can peek glimpses of the Seine. While exploring the outer galleries, I also stumbled upon a portrait of Louis Pasteur that was featured in many of my Chemistry and Biology textbooks. Even if you feel like you've seen it all at the Louvre and other nearby museums, the Musee d'Orsay is still definitely worth the visit for a deep dive on Impressionist art. read more

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To me D'orsay is always my go to... The Louvre is huge, confusing, and overwrought with morons scrambling to see a lady kinda smiling. L'Orangerie is a one and done and sort of a shrug your shoulder things...sure the Monet Lillies are cool..but that is it. d'Orsay is stunning both architecturally as the space has been well repositioned from an old train station into one of the finest museums and as a collection of Amazing Impressionistic art in just one place. Great Van Gough, Monet, Serat, Manet, Cezanne. I would even recommend the cafe in the clock tower as it is just stunning. Number one!!! read more

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If you love the Impressionists, you MUST visit this museum on your Paris trip. It is a big place but also feels more manageable than the Louvre. The building itself is also a sight to see and something quite different on the inside. As a former railway station, it has soaring ceilings in the main hall. read more

I love musee d'orsay and prefer it over the massive Louvre. This is definitely worth your time, especially if you're into impressionist art!! Their entire 5th floor is a dream filled with Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, and more. Van Gogh is my absolute favorite artist, and I was able to appreciate his art in person so much more now than when I first visited when younger. If you enjoy art, this museum is the perfect way to spend a few hours of your time while in Paris. Tickets were easily purchased online. read more

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People may only focus on The Louvre but don't miss out coming here it's across the Louvre next to parliament and down from the Eiffel Tower It's beautiful and there one of the starry night paintings by Van Gogh is here the one over the Rhone When I saw it they said no pictures so I couldn't take one :( But it's a beautiful museum I recommend this place before hitting up that other famous one :) read more

Musée d’Orsay - Museums Near Me - Paris, 75

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This might be one of my favorite museums that I visited on my trip to Paris. The reason being is it is small enough to really enjoy all the pieces housed here thoughtfully. It can easily be done in a couple of hours. I was able to walk in without any pre-bought tickets, which was also great since I didn't have anything scheduled for that day, and I didn't know what else to do. I did have to make a line, but it moved fairly quickly. Once inside you get to see a wide variety of art pieces from world renowned artists. The café that they have is adorable with the view of the clock. read more

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This exquisite museum in Paris is famous for the world's largest collection of Impressionist and post impressionist masterpieces including Monet, Van Gogh and so many others. Renowned for its magnificent architecture, located in a grand formal railway station built for the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition. The museum features two prominent glass and steel clocks making it an iconic feature. I enjoyed the clock custard dessert and a hot chocolate in the cafe. I spent almost four hours enjoying art on every floor. read more

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This is one of the most well-curated museums in the world, and it's located inside of an old railway station. With a collection of sculptures, paintings, and special pieces like furniture, the Orsay has it all. During my visit in May 2025, there was a special exhibition about poster art in France, which was really nice to see! The staff are all kind, helpful, and the museum is generally quite organized. The gift shop is pretty small but there's a cool bookstore! read more

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We got there early and were able to enter quickly. They do have airport type security fyi. It's a massive museum with several levels. Van Gogh was an amazing section of course. Tons of statues and amazing art it would take many visits to see everything. Bathrooms were nice and it has an elevator and a restaurant. Views of Paris from inside were also spectacular . We had an amazing visit for about 2.5 hours. I highly recommend visiting when in Paris. read more

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An art museum where the whole entire building feels like art! It is as though an artist themselves personally places all of the pieces into space. This building used to be a train station that got transformed into an art museum. If you don't know much about the history of the building, I highly encourage looking into it. Super interesting! I have been to the Louve and wanted to try out this museum on my recent trip to Paris to switch it up. No regrets! I have heard good things about Musee d'Orsay, but it exceeded my expectations! One of my favorite artists is Monet and there were tons of pieces from him. There is a whole room for Van Gogh too! Lots of other famous artists/sculptors were featured here. I love the layout of this musuem with all of the sculptures in the center. I like sculptures more than paintings, and they have a huge collection of them here! Definitely add musee d'orsay to your itinerary! For those taking the train there is a stop right next to the museum! read more

The Renoir exhibition was spectacular. There are two exhibits about Renoir and his life's work. I highly recommend purchasing the audio guide. I learned more and was able to step back from the crowds to listen and look once they passed. It was crowded but the museum is unbelievably gorgeous. I can see why the crowds are flocking to it. read more

Musée d’Orsay - Museums Near Me - Paris, 75

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This place is a beauty. The layout is tough to navigate and most people are there for the impressionist art. Lots of Monet, Manet, Renoir and Van Gogh. The area was an absolute zoo. Perhaps if there was more space between the paintings we all wouldn't be fighting to see them. The amount of sculptures and specifically Rodin was so lovely to see and saved us a trip to theRodin museum. But an added bonus was the art nouveau section featuring furniture. Not enough art museums add furniture and I love to see how they can resemble art. I highly recommend coming here with or without a reserved ticket. We couldn't get a ticket online and got into the museum within 10 minutes of arriving. read more

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The Musee d'Orsay is certainly a must-see attraction in Paris. Get tickets online to make things much easier. The line for those without tickets is super long. This place is an old train station, and it is so beautiful. And the artwork is fantastic! We made sure to find "Whistler's Mother" and some van Gogh artwork. There's a restaurant for those who want to have lunch and then continue visiting. It can get pretty crowded so try to come as early as possible! This is a very interesting museum and worth spending time and money to see. read more

Musée d’Orsay - Whistler's Mother can be found at the Orsay. - Museums Near Me - Paris, 75

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I forgot to finish my review awhile ago but we loved visiting. We would definitely come back again when we have the chance. Here are a few pics... read more

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If you like 19th century art and oil on canvas paintings like me, you have to make time to visit Musée d'Orsay on the Left Bank of the Seine. It's not as big as Louvre but you can easily spend half a day here. The Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh collections are magnificent. The large iconic clock is located on the 5th floor towards the back. If you watched Emily in Paris on Netflix. Camile and Gabriel have a scene in front of this clock. Be prepared for a crowd because everyone knows this is a IG money shot (lol). We had lunch at Cafe Campana on the 5th floor. Nothing fancy - nice place to rest and have a simple pasta or salad. There are several elevators hidden behind a door. Great for family. They are part of the Museum Pass. We didn't reserve in advance because we wasn't sure we had enough time. As of 10/2024, you can line up on C1 line and show your Museum Pass to enter the museum. read more

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The Musée d'Orsay is where one comes to see the Impressionists. The museum specializes in French paintings and sculpture of the 1848-1914 period. The museum is not easy to navigate. The main hall exhibits sculptures while the lower level galleries have the non-Impressionists like Manet, Millet, Tissot, and Whistler. The Angelus and Whistler's Mother are exhibited here. The Fifth Floor is the home of the Impressionists. Manet and Van Gogh are here. Degas is shown here as well. The Musée d'Orsay is a former railway station. The Beaux-Arts ironwork architecture is also an attraction. Pay particular attention to the beautiful clock overlooking the main hall and the reverse clock on the Fifth Floor. read more

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Going once is enough. Appreciated the accommodations for invisible disability with government proof. The restaurant was an oasis. The artwork is incredible. Even in off season the crowds are wild and it is not organized like the Louvre for crowd control. Pack your patience and appreciate being there. read more

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honestly this was def worth the hype. it is so huge and nice inside and i loved the architecture, impressionist, and the different styles they had. tickets were pretty cheap too so i would def recommend dedicating a few hours to read more

Musée d’Orsay - Museums Near Me - Paris, 75

We went to just about every museum you can imagine, but this was my favorite. It may be because my expectations were low. We just kind of stumbled upon it and walked in, and loved everything about it. Lots of impressionist paintings, my fav! This museum wasn't overwhelming like the bigger museums. It was perfect. You should definitely add this to your itinerary. read more

Incredible museum! Has a large variety of works in such a unique setting. Loved seeing the iconic clock in person, as well as a feature from Monet's water lilies. A stunning museum! read more

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Second visit here and for this time we forgot to get tickets in advance so we waited in the queue for about 1/2 hour-Wednesday late morning at 11. Would recommend purchasing the Audio headsets for a deeper experience . 5 floors with an amazing Impressionist collection (mostly on 5th level)-Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh., Bonnard to name a few. Also, Art Nouveau from North and Central Europe, UK, USA, Austria and Scandinavia. Cafes as well as book/souvenir shops could be found on multiple levels. Don't miss the huge clock with a city view on the 5th level. We took about 2 hours but could've easily stayed here all day. Lives up to the billing of 2nd most popular Paris museum. A perfect way to spend an overcast/chilly day. read more

Musée d’Orsay - Museums Near Me - Paris, 75

Terrible! Note there are TWO Renoir exhibits though the ticket you buys does not say so! I went through the sketches section which is ENTIRELY SEPARATE but the first Renoir signage for the exhibit you come to! Ugh. It is NOT the whole exhibit! In fact it is a modest one. Though I had a ticket for 12:30 they would NOT let me use it. They (one gentleman I begged and a superior) made me wait in the line. I showed how the ticket does mot say TWO separate exhibits one for overflow and a separate one for Renoir's paintings!!! The French are excellent ag logistics sooooo this is intentional. Ughhhhh. Beware! read more

D'Orsay One of my favorite museums. A world renowned art Museum, which is housed in an old railway station, the Gare D'Orsay. It was originally built for the Paris world fair in 1900. Housing artwork from the 19th and 20th centuries it is known for world, famous paintings by Monet, Renois, Degas, Van Gough and Cezanne. Collections of sculpture, photography, and decorative arts can be found in addition to the magnificent paintings. Open Tuesday - Sunday 9:30- 6. I went on a Tuesday morning without advanced tickets and was able to get right inside. There's a special Van Gogh exhibit at the museum until February 4, 2024. It is included with the ticket price. There is a line to get into the exhibit by it's worth the wait. 74 paintings and 33 drawings are included. One of the best displays of Van Gogh that I've seen. read more

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The Musée d'Orsay is one of the most spectacular museums in Paris -- not only for the art, but for the building itself. Housed in a former Beaux-Arts railway station from 1900, it's a place where history and beauty collide. The massive glass roof and iron vault let in incredible light, and the giant station clocks now frame some of the best views in the city. The collection is focused on French art from 1848 to 1914, bridging the gap between the Louvre's classical works and the Pompidou's modern pieces. That means you'll find some of the world's best Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces here -- Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, Caillebotte, and many more. A few fun facts: the building was one of the first electrified train stations in Paris, its roof actually uses more metal than the Eiffel Tower, and during World War II it served as a parcel center for prisoners. When it opened as a museum in 1986, it revived hundreds of sculptures that had been hidden away in storage. Even today it continues to grow, with recent acquisitions like Gustave Caillebotte's Boating Party. read more

I love this museum! It was not originally on my list since impressionist painters' works are not something I seek out. But, my wife went here years ago and suggested it for our short stay in Paris. The museum exhibits are nice and the collection is large (not comparable to the Louvre, I imagine, but there is plenty to see!) That said, the building itself is amazing. You can find all of the information online, but it was originally a train station built on the ashes of a palace for the 1900 Universal Exposition -- basically the way to get to central Paris. It maintains that open air feeling. (Trivia: the building contains more metal than the Eiffel Tower) This was well worth a visit and much less crowded than the Louvre. Get your tickets online and in advance to save a lot of time! read more

The best museum we visited. A plus was that it was air conditioned. The displays were wonderful. The statues are extremely well preserved.

Van Gogh's work is amazing and beautifully displayed here. The modern building houses many great works of art including Monet and Renoir. Orsay and Rodan were my favorite museums in Paris. The line is much shorter if you purchase tickets in advance. read more

Musée d’Orsay - Museums Near Me - Paris, 75

Ohh the art!!!! If you are looking for some of Vincent Van Goh's work, you are in the right place to find it. You can find his self portrait and Starry Night Over the Rhone. Definitely pretty cool seeing Starry Night, a piece that I learned about in school and have seen in movies. The museum is stupid to navigate. We walked in circles confused how to go through the museum. Oh well. We saw Van Goh's work which was my priority. Another architectural masterpiece! read more

Musée d’Orsay - Outside - Museums Near Me - Paris, 75

Arrived around 9:45 on a Tuesday with a Museum Pass and no pre-booked timeslot (I don't believe it's available for this museum). There are multiple lines but if you have the MP, you will need line C1. The lines look daunting but luckily, it only took us about 15 minutes to get in. I probably preferred this museum over the Louvre just because of the sheer size of the Louvre. The Musée d'Orsay is much more manageable. First, it's much less crowded but you just need to go early because it starts filling up after 11. It's also very well organized so if there is a certain artist or a certain era you'd like to focus on, it's easy to find. My favorite was of course Monet and looking at all the impressionist paintings. And I'm not even an art person but I found myself lingering around some of these paintings. We spent about two hours there and saw pretty much everything. We did breeze through some exhibits we were less interested in so I can see an art lover easily spending a half day to full day here. Definitely worth a visit! Even if you don't have the MP. read more

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This converted train station is my favorite museum in Paris. The added benefit during our visit was the Van Gogh exhibit of his works painted in the last months of his life. If you are a fan of the Impressionist's then this is your heaven. But the real star is building itself. So open and voluminous. read more

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This is an institution if not for the art but also for its architecture. The building used to be train station and a hotel when it was first built in the 1800s. You can still enjoy the ornate details and grand beauty of it today. My favorite part is walking over the covered "bridges" and looking through the small glass windows down through the main ballroom. The art is also stunning and historic. My only complaint is the crowds of people especially in the Impressionist/Monet collections. It's unbearable and you can get lost in the crowd very easily if you're travelling with anyone. Even with a timed ticket, it was outrageously crowded. The cafe was sufficient for a sit-down lunch - wish it had more of an ambiance but the food was good and we had a nice view of the clock silhouette. Try to go during the week on less popular hours - I'm unsure what those are! read more