When I visited Paris for the first time, I wanted to do everything a first-time traveler should — admire the Eiffel Tower, cruise the Seine River, and of course, visit one of the best art museums in Paris: the Musée d’Orsay, also known in English as the Orsay Museum Paris.
This blog will guide you through everything you need to know before visiting — from booking tickets and best visiting times to historical insights and must-see masterpieces inside this iconic museum.
Paris Museums at a Glance: Louvre vs. Orsay vs. Others
Paris is a city overflowing with world-class museums, each with its own artistic focus and historical significance. If it’s your first time visiting, it helps to understand what kind of art each museum specializes in:
- The Louvre Museum is the most famous and one of the largest museums in the world. It’s home to ancient and classical artworks, including treasures from Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, as well as Renaissance masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and The Wedding at Cana by Veronese. In short, the Louvre focuses on art from prehistory up to the mid-19th century.
- The Orsay Museum (Musée d’Orsay) bridges the gap between the classical world of the Louvre and the modern styles found at the Centre Pompidou. It showcases art produced between 1848 and 1914 — a period rich in revolutionary ideas and artistic experimentation. This includes the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Realist, and Art Nouveau movements. You’ll find iconic names here such as Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Manet, Gauguin, and Cézanne.
- Centre Pompidou is for lovers of modern and contemporary art. With its bold inside-out architecture, it houses works by 20th- and 21st-century artists like Picasso, Kandinsky, Duchamp, and Warhol, and is ideal for fans of abstract, conceptual, and pop art.
So, if you’re planning your art itinerary:
- Visit the Louvre for classical and ancient art,
- Head to the Musée d’Orsay for 19th-century innovation and Impressionism, and
- Explore the Centre Pompidou for modern and contemporary movements.
A Brief History of the Musée d’Orsay
Before you even step inside, knowing the fascinating history of the Orsay Museum adds depth to the experience.
The building opened in 1900 as Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built for the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) in Paris. At the time, it was a marvel of modern engineering, known for its grand clock towers, high ceilings, and electrified tracks — an architectural gem of the Belle Époque.
But by the 1930s, it became obsolete for longer trains and was eventually decommissioned. After several decades of proposed demolitions and alternative uses, the French government transformed it into a museum. In 1986, the Musée d’Orsay opened its doors, devoted to French and European art from 1848 to 1914 — a turning point in the history of Western art.
Booking Your Orsay Museum Tickets in Advance
The Orsay Museum allows you to book tickets online up to one month in advance, and I highly recommend doing so. I reserved a 9:00 AM entry — and according to both travel blogs and my experience, the best time to visit Musée d’Orsay is right at opening.
An early start gives you a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for admiring the masterpieces without the rush of crowds.
Free Admission on the First Sunday
If your travel dates align, try visiting on the first Sunday of the month when the Musée d’Orsay offers free admission. This is an amazing way to experience one of Paris’s top museums for free — just be prepared for slightly larger crowds.
What Happens If You Miss Your Time Slot?
Despite careful planning, we ran into trouble the morning of our visit. Due to unexpected metro closures for maintenance, we had to take a bus — and accidentally missed our stop, meaning we missed our 9:00 AM time slot.
Luckily, if this happens to you, don’t panic! The museum has a dedicated line for ticket holders who arrive late. We waited about 10 minutes and were still allowed in. Just make sure you keep your ticket handy.
Entering the Museum: Layout and Facilities Tips
Once you pass through airport-style security, you’ll find souvenir shops on both sides of the main entrance. Right nearby is a restroom, but it tends to be busy.
💡 Pro tip: Use the downstairs restroom, which is much quieter and has a shorter line. This is especially helpful before a long museum walk — the Musée d’Orsay is surprisingly large.
Suggested Route: Start from the Top
The Orsay Museum is laid out vertically — with the grand former train hall in the center and five levels of galleries surrounding it. I highly recommend starting from the fifth floor and working your way down.
Why? Because the fifth floor is home to the most iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in the museum. The natural lighting, the grand clock window, and the open layout make it a beautiful space to begin your journey.
Must-See Artworks in the Orsay Museum Paris
Here are just a few masterpieces you’ll encounter at the Musée d’Orsay:
Vincent van Gogh
- Starry Night Over the Rhône
- Self-Portrait
- The Church at Auvers
Claude Monet
- Woman with a Parasol
- The Artist’s Garden at Giverny
- Blue Water Lilies
Pierre-Auguste Renoir
- Bal du moulin de la Galette
- Young Girls at the Piano
Édouard Manet
- Olympia
- The Fifer
Edgar Degas
- The Ballet Class
- Blue Dancers
- The Tub
Paul Cézanne
- The Card Players
- Still Life with Apples and Oranges
Paul Gauguin
- Arearea
- Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?
Visitor Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Reserve your ticket at least a month in advance.
- Book the earliest time slot (9:00 AM) for fewer crowds.
- Check the metro and bus schedule on the day of your visit.
- Use the downstairs restrooms to avoid long lines.
- Start from the top floor (5th) and go down for the best viewing experience.
- Photography is allowed (no flash) — bring your camera for stunning shots of both art and architecture.
Final Thoughts
My visit to the Orsay Museum Paris was a cultural highlight of my trip. The museum blends architectural beauty, historical depth, and a world-class collection of 19th-century masterpieces. Whether you’re a devoted art lover or simply looking for one of the best museums in Paris, the Musée d’Orsay offers something truly unforgettable.