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.
As you probably know, the Musée d'Orsay was built on the site of a former railway station, which 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.
Must-see works
The Musée d'Orsay is open all year round, except on Mondays, May 1 and December 25. So don't bother showing up on these 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 6:00pm.
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Location
Musée d'Orsay
62 rue de Lille
75007 Paris 7
Prices
1er dimanche du mois: Free
- 18 ans : Free
- 25 ans UE: Free
Audioguide enfant et adulte: €3.5 - €6
Nocturne: €12
Tarif adulte accompagnant un enfant -18 ans: €13
Plein tarif collection permanente : €16
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.musee-orsay.fr
More information
Closed Mondays, May 1 and December 25 Sunday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Tuesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Wednesday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Thursday 9:30 am - 9:45 pm Friday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm