The Musée d'Orsay opened in 1986 inside the former Gare d'Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built for the 1900 World's Fair, and in 2026 it celebrates its 40th anniversary. It is famous for holding the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, with major works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Manet and Degas. From March 10, 2026 through summer 2028 the museum is undergoing a large renovation of its public areas (entrance hall and the waterproofing of the forecourt), but it stays open and all collections and exhibitions remain accessible, with temporary entrance and exit routes on the Seine side during the works. Because peak-season queues are long, booking a timed-entry slot online is strongly recommended.
The view over Paris from behind the station's giant glass clock, with the Montmartre skyline framed through the clock face — the museum's signature photo spot
The Van Gogh room, including 'Starry Night Over the Rhône' and his self-portraits
Impressionist icons such as Renoir's 'Bal du moulin de la Galette', Manet's 'Olympia' and Degas' ballet dancers
The soaring iron-and-glass central nave of the former station and Victor Laloux's Beaux-Arts architecture itself
The top-floor Impressionist galleries and the ornate former station-hotel ballroom, now a lavish salon and the clock café
Good to know
SafetyPickpockets operate even inside the galleries, bumping into visitors and opening bags. Wear backpacks on your front and keep valuables in an inner zipped pocket.
RulesEntry works effectively as a timed-reservation system, so book your date and time on the official website in advance. On the free first Sunday of each month a reservation is mandatory.
CautionBeware fake 'skip-the-line' tickets, mirror sites made to look official, and tickets sold by street vendors. Buy only from the official billetterie.musee-orsay.fr or a trusted reseller.
RulesLarge suitcases and wheeled luggage are not allowed; the free cloakroom only accepts items up to cabin-bag size (about 56x45x25 cm). Airport-style security (metal detectors and bag X-ray) means entry can be slow.
SeasonAs the 40th-anniversary year, 2026 brings blockbuster shows (the Renoir exhibitions run March to July), so weekends and afternoons are very busy. Thursday late opening (until about 21:45) or the first hour after opening are quieter, and from June 10 to October 5, 2026 group visits are restricted due to reception-area works — confirm dates for group or guided tours.
MannersFlash photography and selfie sticks are prohibited, and some temporary exhibitions ban photography entirely. Do not touch the artworks and keep noise down.
Practical info
The museum is a 1–5 minute walk from Solférino station (Metro line 12) or the RER C 'Musée d'Orsay' stop. It opens Tuesday–Sunday 09:30–18:00 (late until about 21:45 on Thursdays), is closed Mondays, and is free on the first Sunday of each month; under-18s and EU/EEA residents under 26 enter free with photo ID (reservation still required). Confirm exact prices, opening hours and current access routes on the official website before you go.
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