Musée d'Orsay: booking, prices, free admission, tips and current exhibitions

Would you like to visit the Musée d'Orsay, one of Europe's most visited museums and home to the world's largest collection of Impressionist paintings? We'll be happy to give you all the tips and tricks you need, as well as the works to discover, the current exhibitions, and the rates and free admission available, so you can make the most of your visit in the best possible conditions.

Would you like to visit the sublime Musée d'Orsay, the fascinating museum that was once a Parisian railway station? Whether you're from Paris, the Ile-de-France or just passing through, we've got all the tips you need to avoid hours of waiting, take advantage of the best deals and organize your visit to the best of your ability.

Why visit the Musée d'Orsay?

As you no doubt know, the Musée d'Orsay was built on the site of a former railway station that had been erected to accommodate visitors to the1900 Universal Exhibition. The station was built by Victor Laloux and two other architects, who had to integrate the structure harmoniously into an elegant neighborhood facing the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens. Inside, the architects opted for a modern design. During the Second World War, the station became a shipping center for prisoners and a reception center for prisoners during the Liberation. In 1977, President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing decided to build a museum in the carcass of the station, but it was not until nine years later that the museum was inaugurated by President François Mitterrand.

The Musée d'Orsay boasts an impressive collection of Western art, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and decorative arts dating from the mid-19th to the early 20th century. These include famous Impressionist works such as Edouard Manet's Déjeuner sur l'herbe, Gustave Courbet's L'origine du monde and Degas' La petite danseuse de quatorze ans, as well as works by Auguste Rodin. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions on artists, artistic movements or periods in art history, as well as artistic events, round-table discussions, concerts and film screenings in its auditorium.

Unmissable works to discover

The Origin of the World, Gustave Courbet
Bathers, Auguste Renoir
Young Girls at the Piano, Auguste Renoir
Rue Montorgueil, Claude Monet
Self-portrait, Vincent Van Gogh

To make the most of your time, take advantage of the interactive map available in the museum.

Musée d'Orsay, collection permanente - Bal du moulin de la galette - Auguste Renoir

Musée d'Orsay, collection permanente - Vincent Van Gogh - portrait

The Musée d'Orsay and its historic clocks :

The Musée d'Orsay's famous interior clock, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Paris, is one of the few remnants of the museum's days as a railway station. This Parisian station was inaugurated in 1900, on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition, to serve routes to south-western France. In 1986, however, the station was converted into a museum, and today only the 32-meter-high hall and the famous clock in the background remain.

Even bigger than this one, two other clocks on the front of the building, where you can admire the capital through them, delight visitors, tourists and photographers alike. The one where Café Campana is located and the one on the opposite wing.

Musée d'Orsay, réservation, tarifs, gratuités, astuces et expositions du moment

Opening hours and days

The Musée d'Orsay is open all year round, except on Mondays, May 1 and December 25. So don't bother showing up on those days - you'll be disappointed. The museum opens every day (except Mondays) from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. On Thursdays, opening hours are extended to 9:45pm, when you can take advantage of a reduced rate of €12 from 6pm.

How to get to the Musée d'Orsay

RER C: Musée d'Orsay station
Metro: Solférino and Assemblée Nationale stations on line 12 are closest. Tuileries (line 1) and Concorde (lines 1, 8 and 12) stations are a ten-minute walk away.
Bus: stop Musée d'Orsay or Pont Royal-Quai Voltaire 24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84 and 94
Cab: pick-up and drop-off for cabs and specialized vehicles on quai Anatole-France.
Parking lots: the Bac Montalembert parking lot at 9 rue Montalembert 75007 Paris is the nearest.

Book tickets and prices :

To avoid queues and make sure you don't exceed your quota, especially for major temporary exhibitions, we advise you to book your tickets in advance with a dedicated time slot. Admission to the permanent and temporary collections is €16. Admission is free for under-18s and EU citizens under 25. If you're not afraid of the crowds, admission is free for all on the 1st Sunday of every month. Don't forget to book your compulsory free admission slot.

Services :

The Musée d'Orsay offers free wifi access open to all. Simply connect to the Musee_Orsay_Public network. Free checkrooms are available, and wheelchairs, canes, folding chairs and strollers can be lent on request in exchange for ID. People with reduced mobility are welcome, and free admission is granted to them and their companions. The facility is equipped with elevators and ramps. A baby area for parents is available on level -1.

The museum offers audio guides from €3.50 for children to €6 for adults. A good alternative to guided tours, which, on the other hand, may allow you to have a speaker answer your questions. These tours and workshops are also aimed at families, for fun and recreational activities or workshops.

Good deals :

The Musée d'Orsay offers its own official, free application for both iPhone and Android. In addition to the agenda, it offers the site in 5 languages. You'll discover the temporary exhibitions with a selection of 32 works of art with commentary. It's a mine of information to help you in your discoveries and your visit.

For a less crowded visit to the Musée d'Orsay, we recommend Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, especially the Thursday night openings, when admission is cheaper and the museum less crowded.

Where to eat?

The Musée d'Orsay has no fewer than 3 food and beverage outlets to cater for all tastes. Let yourself be seduced by the charm of Café Campana, located on the 5th floor, behind one of the Museum's clocks. It serves contemporary cuisine featuring seasonal produce. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10.45am to 4.45pm, and Thursday from 10.45am to 8.45pm.

For a quick bite to eat, the Kioske du parvis is the ideal place. It features a veggie burger and Ducasse ice cream. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 5.30pm.

The Restaurant

A sublime restaurant listed as a historic monument, the venue is a visual feast: its ceilings are adorned with frescoes by Gabriel Ferrier and Benjamin Constant, blending with the more contemporary lines of Jacopo Foggini’s chairs. Here you can savor a seasonal menu rooted in French classics.

Exhibitions and events to explore:
Summer vacations at the Musée d'Orsay in 2026: free activities for the whole family
Until August 30, 2026, the Orsay Museum is offering "Vacances à Orsay," a program of playful and creative activities for children and families. Installed in the museum's reception hall, this initiative is free with an admission ticket to the museum. [Read more]

The Musée d'Orsay marks its 40th anniversary with a free weekend and a Boum put on by Thomas Jolly.
The Musée d’Orsay is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026 and unveiling a spectacular anniversary program in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, featuring a free weekend and, as the centerpiece, a Boum 1986 imagined by Thomas Jolly in December. [Read more]

A summer rooftop bar with breathtaking views over Paris reopens atop a landmark museum — photos
Spring–summer 2026, the Musée d’Orsay takes to the skies… and to new heights. Its terrace reopens with a panoramic view of Paris, an arty-chic vibe, and a bar inspired by Art Nouveau. A discreet rooftop, but not for long. [Read more]

I saw: Jenny Holzer’s luminous exhibition that makes words come alive at the Orsay Museum this fall
Words Take Over the Orsay Museum, Transforming the Space into a Luminous Stage. From October 20, 2026, to February 21, 2027, the exhibition "I Have Seen" by Jenny Holzer invites visitors to explore a dialogue between letters, political texts, and literary writings alongside the museum's iconic collections. Through projections, LED installations, and engravings, the exhibit immerses visitors in a captivating experience where past and present resonate anew, offering a fresh perspective. [Read more]

Mary Cassatt: Embracing Independence — The Major Impressionist Exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay
Bold and contemporary, Mary Cassatt asserts her distinctive style and her freedom within Impressionism. From October 6, 2026, to January 31, 2027, the Musée d’Orsay celebrates her hundredth birthday with the exhibition "Mary Cassatt: The Choice of Independence," showcasing nearly 80 rare works. [Read more]

A Statue of Liberty, Bartholdi's Dream: immerse yourself in the virtual reality experience at the Musée d'Orsay
Alongside the exhibition dedicated to Auguste Bartholdi and his most famous masterpiece, the Musée d'Orsay offers visitors an immersive virtual reality experience exploring the story of the Statue of Liberty. [Read more]

Auguste Bartholdi: Liberty Enlightening the World — A New Exhibition on the Sculptor at the Musée d’Orsay
From September 15, 2026, to January 31, 2027, the Musée d'Orsay will showcase an exhibition dedicated to the Statue of Liberty and its creator, Auguste Bartholdi, a renowned 19th-century sculptor who collaborated with Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and Gustave Eiffel. [Read more]

Musée d'Orsay by night: visit the collections in the old station every Thursday evening
Every Thursday evening, until 9:45pm, the Musée d'Orsay welcomes you for a nocturne through its current exhibitions and fine collections, in an exceptional setting. [Read more]

What to do with children at the Musée d'Orsay Activities, visits and entertainment for families
The Musée d'Orsay is a not-to-be-missed Parisian museum renowned for its fine Impressionist collections, and was once a railway station. What's on the agenda for the whole family? Let's take a look at what's on with the kids. [Read more]

The Musée d’Orsay answers back to the Comédie-Française with five special evenings starting in October 2026.
Paintings, literature, theatre and music come together at the Musée d’Orsay from October 10, 2026, to February 4, 2027. In partnership with the Comédie-Française, the institution brings Claude Monet’s letters to life before giving Nana, Émile Zola’s novel, its voice again through four piano-accompanied readings. [Read more]

These archaeological remains of a Gallo-Roman villa can be visited on a campus in Essonne.
[Read more]

Launay Botanical Garden and Paris-Saclay Arboretum: A Global Journey Through Plants in Essonne
We head to Essonne to explore the botanical garden of the University of Paris-Saclay, sprawling across 90 hectares of plant collections on the Orsay campus. Home to nearly 3,000 species from around the globe, it offers free guided tours and features a conservation arboretum, making for a perfect green getaway just a short train ride away from Orsay station. [Read more]

This temple is one of the last remnants of a castle that no longer exists in the Île-de-France region, and it’s open for visits!
In Orsay, Essonne, there's a charming neoclassical temple tucked away in a quiet corner. One of the few remaining remnants of the once-imposing Orsay Castle, which no longer exists today, it is open to visitors on a seasonal basis. Here’s what you need to know about this little-known gem of the Île-de-France heritage. [Read more]

Claude Monet in Paris: Where to Discover the Works of the Renowned Impressionist Painter in the Capital?
He is undoubtedly one of France’s most beloved painters: Claude Monet left behind a stunning collection of masterpieces, many of which you can admire in the city’s top museums. Follow the guide! [Read more]

Exhibition "Cézanne and Us" at the Grand Palais: Dive into the Legacy of the Father of Modern Art
The Grand Palais is hosting a major exhibition dedicated to Paul Cézanne, titled Cézanne and Us, running from September 23, 2026, to January 17, 2027. This outside-the-venue exhibit has been developed in partnership with the Musée d'Orsay. [Read more]

The Orsay swimming pool, the place to swim laps on the Saclay plateau
How about a splash around Orsay (91)? Then head for the town's large swimming pool and its many pools for swimming, fun and exercise. [Read more]

La Crypte d'Orsay, an unusual cultural spot under a church in Essonne
An exhibition space in the heart of a crypt? That's what awaits us in the town of Orsay in Essonne. We take you on a tour of the Crypte d'Orsay, a cultural spot dedicated to contemporary art. [Read more]

Animal Crossing New Horizons: where to see the paintings and sculptures in the game?
Art or video game lovers, head to the museums of Paris, in search of the works sold by Rounard in Animal Crossing New Horizons, the Nintendo game. [Read more]

Van Gogh : where to see the painter's works in Paris or in the Ile-de-France region ?
His tragic story is as famous as his exceptional paintings: Vincent Van Gogh is the favorite painter of many art lovers! To see his works in Paris or in the Ile-de-France, follow the guide. [Read more]

Henri Matisse in Paris: where to see the works of the painter in the capital?
Precursor of fauvism, impressionist, modern artist... Henri Matisse has left a lasting impression on the art world. What if we (re)discovered his works thanks to the Parisian museums? [Read more]

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