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Paris has so many top-notch museums that visitors usually have to be selective, but the Musée d’Orsay appears on most itineraries. Located on the left bank of the Seine, the museum has a unique home in a Beaux-Arts rail...
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Paris has so many top-notch museums that visitors usually have to be selective, but the Musée d’Orsay appears on most itineraries. Located on the left bank of the Seine, the museum has a unique home in a Beaux-Arts rail station built around 1900.
The museum itself was established in 1986 and is now home to the largest impressionist and post-impressionist collections in the world. Exhibits at Musée d’Orsay include pieces by painters like Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, and Van Gogh, along with many other masters. The permanent collection at Musée d’Orsay includes around 2,000 paintings and 600 other works of art.
Open every day except Mondays, the Musée d’Orsay is open during business hours, with additional evening hours on Thursdays. Regular adult tickets at Musée d’Orsay are €9 (special exhibitions tack on a few Euros), with reduced rates in the evenings. The first Sunday of the month is free for everyone. Tickets purchased on the museum’s website are valid for one year and grant admission through a reserved entrance. Many ticket packages, including multiple Paris museums, are also available. Food at Musée d’Orsay is available at various points, including a café, brasserie, formal restaurant, and take-away food stand.
Musée d'Orsay
User Reviews
Maddalena Z.Mar 29, 20134.0 starsModern Art HeartOriginally built at the Orleans railway terminus in the heart of Paris, it narrowly avoided demolition in 1970s. During its conversion to a museum much of the original architecture was retained. The new museum present the rich diversity of visual arts from 1848 to 1914 and explains the social, political and technlogical context in which they are created. Althoug the majority exhibits are painting and sculptures there are also displays of furniture, the decorative arts, cinema and the newspaper industry. Golden Pieces: The Post. Impressionist collection and Art Nouveau. Gorgeus!
ChristinaWDec 13, 20124.0 starsThe most beautiful museum in ParisLe Musee d'Orsay is absolutely the most stunning museum I have ever seen, and it is a spot not-to-be-missed in Paris. First of all, the collection itself is just incredible, including what might be the most impressive display of marble sculptures I have ever seen. In addition it has an extensive collection of Impressionist works, which is always such a pleasure to see.
I think my favorite thing, though (and probably the coolest part about the place) is the fact that is it housed in an old train station! The main hall is absolutely gigantic, with gorgeous vaulted ceilings, skylights, and massive windows at each end (with a really old clock). It is just a gorgeous feat of architecture that is definitely worth seeing.
FISHNETSDec 12, 20124.0 starsMy Favorite MuseumOn my first trip to Paris my cousin told me to be sure to check out the Musee D'orsay and wisely I followed her advice. While I love the Louvre as much as anyone is expected to I loved the manageable size of the d'orsay and the fact that I was able to spend some time at the notable paintings I really wanted to see (the Monets, Van Gogh's and Toulouse Lautrecs) and still had enough time to explore the whole museum from top to bottom and experience a lot of exhibits I wouldn't have necessarily put on my map. Plus the varying designs of the rooms makes for a nice touch so once you round a corner you never know what to expect in the next gallery. An absolutely underrated must see on a trip to Paris!
Craig BeckerDec 9, 20123.0 starsGorgeous? You took the words out of my mouth...I happened to be in Paris during a strike, so I had to go to d'Orsay twice, but I'm not at all bitter because it was totally worth the wait. There's nothing like being able to see Monets and Degas from less than a foot away. And the layout of the facility really lends itself to a long day of musing among great art. You wander from room to room, but you don't feel like the eras are at all separated, which, as far as I'm concerned, is actually a real feat when you're trying to curate a museum. The whole place flows and, well, the art ain't bad either.
As a side note, the staff at the gift shop were extraordinarily helpful in helping me, someone who speaks zero French, select an appropriate gift for a relative. Thank you, and bravo!
Priscilla GachonsDec 7, 20124.0 starsGorgeousRecently renovated for the museum's 25th anniversary, the Musee d'Orsay is a must-see. The 20th century art is displayed in a gorgeous train station, which was featured in the 2011 Scorsese film "Hugo". When you climb to the upper floors, you can catch not only a nice view on the collections but also on the Seine. Many of the pieces are world-famous (Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Rodin, etc.) and include paintings, sculpture, and even furniture.
For those more interested in contemporary art, the restaurants at the museum are worth seeing; the Cafe Campana, for instance, was imagined by two world-renowned designers who were inspired by the Nautilus.
In brief, the Musee d'Orsay will be worth your time, whether or not you love 20th century European art.
tartarsDec 7, 20124.0 starsAnother Paris mustIf you have a favorable impression of impressionists, the Musee D’Orsay will be your future stomping ground. If you can’t tell your Manet from your Monet, go to the Musee D’Orsay and learn.
There’s a sculpture of a rhino right outside of the museum, and it just gets better from there. Besides the incredible, very-proud-to-be-French artwork all over the museum, the architecture itself is a marvel, what with the fact it used to be a train station and retains the turn of the century charm, the glass-covered atriums and the artwork from the station itself. Behind the clocks is an incredible view of the city, too…so make sure you escape to the top floor at some point.
bturp11Nov 29, 20124.0 starsBeautifulThe Musee d’Orsay was an incredible highlight of my time in Paris. I went on a father daughter trip with my artist father, so naturally we spent a lot of time in the many museums that Paris has to offer. This was my favorite for it was more intimate than some of the larger museums and the collections were beautifully preserved and presented. I could have spent hours wandering around the extensive collection of Cezanne, Degas and Manet. The paintings of Camille Pissarro were a personal favorite; they really came to life being housed in the beautiful setting of a Parisian museum. When walking through the museum on the top floors, pay attention to the gorgeous view of the city and the Sacre Coeur on Montmartre! (Also, GO to the Sacre Coeur)
Paul FeinsteinNov 28, 20124.0 starsLove Impressionist PaintingsWhen I first came to Paris, I didn't know what to expect. Of course I had heard about the Louvre, but I didn't know the Musée d'Orsay in Paris even existed. The first time I went was when I was 19 years old and I was simply blown away by the vast array of Monets, Manets, Degas, Renoir, and others. If you've ever picked up an art book, it's likely to find the originals here. You can definitely spend days upon days at Musée d'Orsay, so if you plan on going to Europe and want to see one of the best museums in Paris, you need to come here.
Geraldine ColemanNov 22, 20123.0 starsExcellent alternative to the LouvreMusée d'Orsay was without a doubt the highlight of my recent trip to Paris. I've studied fine art - it is something I am hugely passionate about and I must say my visit here was far superior to that of the Louvre. Not only did I get in free as a EU citizen under 25 (a huge plus by the way) but I also didn't have to wait in a huge queue. Yes there was one however it is nothing compared to that of the Louvre. Upon arrival I was blown away. I hadn't heard of this museum so to stumble across it was fantastic. If you prefer the works of the impressionists, that of Degas and Van Gogh, Monet and Renoir then this is the place for you. With stunning pieces of art and sculptures it may not be as big as the Louvre or as architecturally magnificent but it has a collection to rival it. The pieces you study in school, recognize from TV and films are here. I must admit I did get a little too excited when I saw Monet's lilies. A fantastic collection for those who truly appreciate art not only the older more traditional pieces but those that redefined art. The pieces that created a whole new approach to painting.
Even for those who have a mild interest and simply want to visit the museums this is ideal. It has a great collection but it also isn't so large that you get tired of walking around before you're even halfway through. It can become busy however this is true of any tourist attraction in Paris. It's the ideal place to educate the kids without boring them for too long!
Definitely worth a visit - Dante's Inferno is a must see!
Emily RuckerNov 15, 20123.0 starsCan get WAY too crowded!The Musée d'Orsay is home to stunning pieces by Renoir, Monet, Degas, van Gogh, and innumerable other popular artists. More inclined to see something off the beaten path by an artist you may not yet no? No problem either, the d'Orsay has you covered. Still, it is indescribable to see in person the paintings you've grown up staring at in reproduction. It's even open late on certain nights. No 5 PM closures here!
The bad? This place has some major congestion issues. Wait times can be hours on free entry days, so avoid those at all costs. Or at least unless you've brought a picnic to eat and a tent to pitch.
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Musée d'Orsay User Reviews