virtual tour d'orsay museum

Go on a virtual tour of Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay recently announced that a major expansion is in the works. With the support of a €20 million donation from an anonymous American donor, they will expand their exhibition space and create new centers for education and research.

Located on the Left Bank of the Seine, the museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900. The museum houses mostly French art dating from 1848 to 1914 including the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world.

While you’re staying at home during the COVID-19 crisis, take a virtual tour of this popular destination in Paris. You’ll experience a close-up tour of the unique building and some of its most popular collections.

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Musée d'Orsay Virtual Tour – Orsay Museum, Paris, France

Musée d’Orsay Virtual Tour – Orsay Museum, Paris, France

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Timestamps (Chapters)

0:00 – Outside 0:14 – Ticket Counter 0:27 – 1st Floor Hall 1:09 – 5th Floor – Édouard Manet | The Luncheon on the Grass (1862-63) 1:26 – Claude Monet | Woman with a Parasol (1886) 1:46 – Claude Monet | Blue Water Lilies (1919) 2:02 – Edgar Degas | Dinner at the Ball (1879) 2:18 – Claude Monet | Water Lily Pond, Pink Harmony) (1900) 2:50 – Vincent van Gogh | Starry Night Over the Rhône (1888) 3:06 – Edgar Degas | The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer (1880) 3:21 – Edgar Degas | The Ballet Rehearsal on Stage (1874) 3:37 – Pierre Auguste Renoir | Country Dance (1883) 3:57 – Claude Monet | Monet’s Garden, The Irises (1900) 4:12 – Claude Monet | Water Lily Pond, Green Harmony (1899) 4:28 – Paul Cézanne | Still Life with Apples and Oranges (1895) 4:44 – Pierre Auguste Renoir | Young Girls at the Piano Creator (1892) 4:56 – Pierre Auguste Renoir | The Bathers (1919) 5:09 – 5th Floor – Exhibition Room 5:36 – 5th Floor – Clock 5:53 – 1st Floor – Auguste Rodin | The Gates of Hell (1885) 6:08 – 1st Floor – Paul Signac – Women at a Well (1892) 6:22 – Paul Signac – The Castle of Popes (1900) 6:37 – Georges Seurat, The Circus (1891) 7:25 – Theo van Rysselberghe | Signac at the Helm of Olympia (1896) 7:40 – Berthe Roblès, Madame Paul Signac 7:56 – Kees van Dongen | Modjesko, Soprano Singer (1908) 8:13 – Restaurant 8:19 – 1st Floor Paintings 8:28 – 1st Floor – Édouard Manet | Olympia (1863) 8:46 – Édouard Manet | The Fifer (1866) 9:01 – Jean-François Millet | The Gleaners (1857) 9:18 – 1st Floor source

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Virtual museum visits: impressionists at musée d’orsay.

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar
• Museum Reviews

‘Virtual Museum Visits: Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay’ article was first published on Culture Tourist on March 25th 2020, and updated on September 16th 2021.

In this virtual museum visit, I’m taking you to the Impressionists collection at Musée d’Orsay. You’ll learn more about that style, meet some of the most famous Impressionist painters and see their paintings.

Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay

Musée d’Orsay is one of the most famous museums in Paris . It’s also a place where you can see one of the best collections of Impressionist paintings in the world. It showcases the style progress, from its beginnings, through the different genres Impressionist painters choose, to influence to the later generations of artists. It’s a great place to get an excellent overview of one of the first modern art styles.

Musée d’Orsay

Located in a former train station, Musée d’Orsay is a relatively new museum in Paris. It was opened in 1986, and it’s home to an amazing collection of western art created between 1848 and 1914.

Besides the fantastic collection of the Impressionist paintings at Musée d’Orsay, you can also visit a great selection of Barbizon school, the work of Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. This is also where famous Edouard Manet’s ‘The Luncheon on the Grass’ is located.

However, let me show you some of the beautiful work of the Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay.

⤷ Read more : The best museums in Paris

Impressionism

Collection of the Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay is a great place to learn about that style. You can see very well how it developed, who were the most important Impressionist painters and see some of their most famous paintings.

But, what was so innovative about Impressionism?

In the mid-19th century, a group of young artists came up with some new ideas about art. They didn’t want to follow the old-school academic way of painting anymore.

These first Impressionist painters started to gather together, talk about art and go on little trips in nature. They were mostly visiting a small village of Barbizon, near Fontainebleau forest, just outside Paris.

They started to paint in nature together. Painting the landscapes outside, in the open air, was something truly revolutionary at that time.

Before that time, painters would only make little sketches outside. But, they would finish their paintings in their studios. However, Impressionist painters changed that and made their paintings from scratch to the finishing touches in nature.

⤷ Read more : Impressionists in Paris

Landscapes, as an independent subject of paintings, were quite rare before that time. They would be a nice addition, a background on the picture. But rarely the main theme.

Since they were painting outside, Impressionists started noticing how the light and colours changed throughout the day. The water of the river or the grass on a meadow would have different shades in the morning, around noon and later in the afternoon. They started focusing on that light and its reflections on their paintings.

⤷ Read more : Summer in Art History

Impressionist’s subjects

On most Impressionists paintings at Musée d’Orsay, you can see landscapes and the modern society of that time. As a group, they shared the same ideas about art.

But, each Impressionist painter could develop their own style and choose whichever subject they wanted. That’s why you’ll notice that Claude Monet was focusing on landscapes and nature. Edgar Degas mostly painted dancers and scenes from cafes and restaurants. Pierre-Auguste Renoir loved painting nudes and portraits, while Paul Cézanne mostly created still lives.

⤷ Read more : 15 best museums in Europe you have to visit

Today, Impressionism is considered to be the first modern style. The reason for it lies in a few scientific discoveries and social developments that made that possible.

1/ The tube paint

One of the reasons painters could go outside and paint in the open air was the invention of tube paint. It was easy for Impressionist painters to bring their painting material with them and paint outside their studios. Many of them were using pure colours straight from the tube, so they could paint quickly. And capture all the changes in light throughout the day.

2/ Invention of the camera

The development of photography made the progress of Impressionism possible. Once the camera was invented, there was no need for realism in art anymore. It was hard to compete with the authenticity of the camera. That’s why painters started to focus on colours, light and reflections in their paintings more.

3/ Middle class & outdoor leisure activities

In the second half of the 19th century, the middle class become a more significant part of French society. They made outdoor leisure activities more popular. And Impressionist painters found a perfect subject for their paintings in them.

Claude Monet at Musée d’Orsay

The Impressionist collection at Musée d’Orsay is also a place to see many paintings by, probably the most famous among them, Claude Monet. In his paintings, he mainly focused on water and clouds. He managed to capture so well the Impressionist ideas in them.

Monet was always painting outside very quickly, leaving brushstrokes visible on his paintings. Since he was using pure colours, his paintings are vivid and bright. To capture the southern light, Monet, in his own words, dreamed about:

A palette of diamonds and precious stones.

A visit to Impressionists in Musée d’Orsay is an excellent opportunity to see some of the most amazing paintings created by those painters. Hope this virtual museum visit will help you feel at least a bit of its atmosphere.

Would you like to read some of my other virtual museum visits? Check them out on the links below:

• Virtual Museum Visit: Johannes Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum
• Virtual Museum Visit: Van Gogh & his Sunflowers
• Virtual Museum Visit: Claude Monet & The Water Lilies
• Virtual Museum Visit: Jan van Eyck at MSK in Ghent
• Virtual Museum Visit: Still Lifes at the Rijksmuseum

Are you planning to visit Musée d’Orsay? My tip is to get your ticket online to avoid queueing in front of the museum for hours.

Get your online ticket here .

This post contains some affiliate links.

impressionism , Impressionists , Musée d'Orsay , paris

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An evening with the Impressionists: we tried out the virtual reality experience at the Musée d'Orsay

An unparalleled immersion in Paris' first Impressionist exhibition... The Musée d'Orsay invites art and virtual reality enthusiasts to a unique experience, entitled Un soir avec les impressionnistes - Paris 1874 , from March 26 to August 11, 2024. This VR experience , imagined in co-production with Gédéon programmes , Emissive and the museum and held as part of the exhibition Paris 1874, inventing Impressionism , transports you to Paris on April 15, 1874, to witness the inauguration of the first Impressionist exhibition . Taking you on a journey to photographer Nadar 's former studio on Boulevard des Capucines , this adventure lets you relive a key moment in art history, surrounded by the works and key figures of the period.

• Musée d'Orsay: booking, prices, free admission, tips and current exhibitions
• Paris 1874, inventing Impressionism: our photos from the Musée d'Orsay's major exhibition
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Donning a state-of-the-art virtual reality headset, visitors are immersed in the captivating atmosphere of 19th-century Paris. They stroll along Boulevard des Capucines and enter Nadar's studio , where they meet renowned artists such as Claude Monet , Auguste Renoir , Berthe Morisot , Paul Cézanne , Camille Pissaro and Edgar Degas . This tour offers a spectacular immersion, where you discover the complex links between these artists, their works, and the birth and evolution of Impressionism.

Un soir avec les impressionnistes - Paris 1874 is based on exhaustive research, using cadastres, architectural plans, aerial photographs and various archives to faithfully reproduce Nadar 's studio and the first Impressionist exhibition. The experience is open to everyone aged 11 and over, with a restriction for children under 8. However, it is not recommended for people prone to epileptic seizures, migraines, or with balance or vision problems.

Our review of the VR experience "An evening with the Impressionists": On the opening day of the Paris 1874, Inventing Impressionism exhibition on March 25, we were offered a most curious museum experience: a virtual reality "adventure" taking you back in time to 1874, to meet renowned artists... We jump at the chance. For your information, the VR experience is available in addition to the exhibition ticket, and is located at the back of the museum's main gallery, after the Paris 1874 exhibition. Once you've arrived, you put your belongings in a locker (compulsory), introduce yourself at the reception desk, you're given a free-roaming VR headset (no computer on your back and no cable, for absolute freedom of movement), you're given a few instructions... And off you go! These instructions are repeated at the start of the experience, allowing you to familiarize yourself with the space and movements. It's very well done and very fluid, if you've ever experienced virtual reality. But if you've never done it before, don't worry: the explanations are very clear, ensuring your safety and comfort. Then the experience begins... We find ourselves propelled along Boulevard des Capucines , in the company of Rose , our guide to the experience. The chatty young woman is a model for painters! And very quickly, after a tour of the Opéra Garnier to set the scene and a visit to Nadar (the photographer), we get right to the heart of the matter... And so, we visit this exhibition in the company of the artists: Renoir, Degas, Monet, Cézanne, Berthe Morizot ... All of them take us on a tour of their works, explaining them as a tour guide or art historian would. In terms of immersion, it's hard to beat it! Graphically speaking, this is VR, so don't expect anything too advanced (the NPCs, with the exception of the experience's protagonists, have no faces, for example, which can be a little unsettling). But space is so immense, both in real and virtual reality ... You can imagine the titanic work that went into creating this universe, and it's particularly impressive. Movements are also ultra-smooth, with Rose often inviting us to follow her (don't hesitate, by the way). Special mention should be made of the sequence in Bougival , as well as in Le Havre with Monet , with backgrounds (trees, sky, clouds, sun) that echo the artistic codes of the Impressionists (yes, the creators of the experience, if you're reading us, we've noticed...), making the whole thing very beautiful and poetic. A very special experience, very pretty and ideal for easily learning and understanding everything about the history of the Impressionists and this exhibition. Don't miss it!

A rare opportunity to walk alongside the giants of Impressionism and experience a pivotal moment in artistic history. The Musée d'Orsay awaits you for this unique virtual reality adventure, which promises to enrich your understanding and appreciation of Impressionist art. All you have to do is book!

Refer your establishment, click here Promote your event, click here

Dates and Opening Time From March 26th, 2024 to August 11th, 2024

Location Musée d'Orsay 62 rue de Lille 75007 Paris 7

Accessibility info

Average duration 50 min

Official website www.musee-orsay.fr

Paris's Orsay museum marks 150 years of Impressionism with virtual reality

The Orsay Museum in Paris is marking 150 years of Impressionism from Tuesday with an unprecedented reassembling of the masterpieces that launched the movement, and a virtual reality experience that takes visitors back in time.

Issued on: 24/03/2024 - 07:41

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Using VR technology, visitors to " Paris 1874: Inventing Impressionism" can take a plunge into the streets, salons and beauty spots that marked a revolution in art .

Through VR helmets, they can walk alongside the likes of Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Paul Cezanne on April 15, 1874, when, tired of being rejected by the conservative gatekeepers of the official art Salon, these rebellious young painters put on their own independent show, later seen as the birth of Impressionism.

The Orsay has brought together 160 paintings from that year, including dozens of masterpieces from that show, including the blood-red sun of Monet's "Impression, Sunrise", credited with giving the movement its name, and his "Boulevard des Capucines" where the exhibition took place.

In rapid, spontaneous brushstrokes, the Impressionists captured everyday scenes of modern life, from Degas's ballet dancers to Camille Pissaro's countryside idylls to Auguste Renoir's riverside party in "Bal du Moulin de la Galette".

They came to define the excitement and restlessness of a new, modern age emerging out of a devastating war with Prussia and a short-lived Parisian revolt a few years earlier.

"The Impressionists wanted to paint the world as it is, one in the midst of major change," said Sylvie Patry, co-curator of the exhibition.

"They were interested in new subjects: railways, tourism, the world of entertainment... They wanted to put sensations, impressions, the immediate moment at the heart of their painting," she added.

Thanks to loans from the National Gallery in Washington and other museums , it is the first time that many of the paintings -- including Renoir's "The Parisian Girl" and "The Dancer" -- have hung together in 150 years.

The exhibition also includes works from that year's official Salon, showing how the Impressionists rejected the stiff formalism of traditionalists and their obsession with great battles and mythological tales, but also how there was some cross-over, as all sorts of painters gradually adopted new styles.

"The story of that exhibition is more nuanced than we think," said Patry. "The artists all knew each other and had begun painting in this different style from the 1860s."

Impressionism did not take off immediately: only some 3,500 people came to the first show, compared with 300,000 to the Salon, and only four paintings were sold out of some 200 works.

It would take several more exhibitions in the following years for the movement to make its mark.

The Orsay exhibition runs to July 14 and moves to Washington from September.

The virtual reality experience has been extended to the end of the Paris Olympics on August 11.

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8 Museums You Can Virtually Tour Right Now

Visit famous institutions in Paris, Amsterdam, and more—without leaving home.

If you’re going through museum withdrawal due to quarantining circumstances, you’re in luck. House Beautiful has gathered a list of art museums from around the globe that you can virtually tour, taking in their collections through your computer screen (turn your brightness UP!). So, no matter where in the world you may be, you can travel to London, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New York City, Amsterdam, Florence, São Paulo, and Paris—without having to leave your house. Let the adventures of museum hopping begin!

The National Portrait Gallery, London, England

Given that the National Portrait Gallery in London was set to close later this year for renovations until at least spring of 2023, a virtual tour of the famed museum really is the best route to take. Upon its opening in 1856, the National Portrait Gallery became the very first portrait gallery in the world. Expect to see portraits (who would’ve guessed) of prominent people from throughout history, including the Brontë sisters — Charlotte, Emily, and Anne — in a painting done by their brother, Patrick Branwell Brontë, and the famous Chandos portrait, which is believed to depict William Shakespeare.

The Frick Art Museum, Pittsburgh, PA

If you’re into European paintings from the 1800s, and Renaissance and Baroque bronze sculptures and paintings, then the Frick Art Museum is right up your alley. Their collection includes works by artists like Peter Paul Rubens, Apollonio Di Giovanni, Jan van Os, Carle Van Loo, Maurice Quentin de la Tour, Arthur Devis, Jean-Louis de Marne, and Jan Steen. You can also tour other Pittsburgh sites, like the Clayton Mansion.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA

Located at the Getty Center, the J. Paul Getty Museum is home to a variety of works, including European decorative arts, paintings, illuminated manuscripts, drawings, and sculptures. The renowned museum also features Greek, Etruscan, and Roman art, ranging from the Neolithic era to Late Antiquity, as well as international photography from the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

As the biggest museum of art in the United States, the Met receives millions of visitors every year, making it one of the most visited art museums in the world. From the comfort of your own home, you can enjoy virtual tours of the Great Hall, the Temple of Dendur, the Charles Engelhard Court, and the Arms and Armor Galleries, as well as the Met Cloisters and the Met Breuer. The best part of these kinds of tours? No crowds!

The Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Since 1973, the Van Gogh Museum has displayed the most substantial collection of Vincent Van Gogh creations in the world, which includes 700 letters, 400 drawings, and 200 paintings. This historic museum, located in Amsterdam, received the most visitors of any museum in the Netherlands in 2017, and that same year, the Van Gogh Museum ranked at number 23 on the list of most visited art museums worldwide. Some of the most famous Vincent van Gogh paintings on display here are Self-portrait (1888), Sunflowers (1889), and Almond Blossoms (1890).

Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy

The Uffizi Gallery is located inside a Mannerist-style building designed by famed painter, architect, and historian Giorgio Vasari (he was the first to write about the Renaissance). The building took two decades to complete, between 1560 to 1580. On this virtual tour, you will see ancient artworks beginning with the Middle Ages, all the way through the Modern period. Works from iconic artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, and Raphael are on view here. The Medici family has provided the gallery with ancient statues and busts that are Roman duplicates of Greek sculptures that were never found.

The São Paulo Museum of Art, São Paulo, Brazil

No matter what you call it — the São Paulo Museum of Art, Museu de Arte de São Paulo, or MASP — this landmark museum, designed by Linda Bo Bardi, has plenty to see, whether you do so online or in real life. Although it is most well known for its European art collection, the São Paulo Museum of Art also offers an impressive array of Brazilian, African, and Asian art, totaling over 8,000 items, and an art library that is one of the biggest in Brazil.

Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France

The Musée d'Orsay is situated inside a Beaux Arts-style building that was once a railroad station known as Gare d'Orsay, and later, a hotel. The structure was built between 1898 and 1900, and the museum itself boasts a wide range of magnificent French art, including furniture, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. Paintings by greats like Renoir, Monet, Degas, Manet, and van Gogh are on display throughout the museum.

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Practical Must Know Tips for Visiting the Musée d’Orsay in Paris

Here are my tips and tricks for visiting the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. 

The Orsay is one of the world’s most beloved museums. It has a stunning collection of 19th century art housed in a beautiful Beaux-Arts converted railway station.

The Musée d’Orsay bridges the gap between the collections of the Louvre and the Pompidou Center. It boasts an iconic collection of Realist, Impressionist, and Post-Impressionist art.

The Orsay is a veritable gold mine, effectively a greatest hits parade of avant garde works from a pivotal era in art history.

Because it’s so popular, the Musée d’Orsay is crowded no matter the season. It’s best to have a plan of attack for visiting the august place to avoid sensory overload.

With this guide, you can familiarize yourself with the layout of the museum and focus your visit on the artistic movements or artists that interest you. You can avoid key mistakes that could mar your time in the museum.

Inside the Musée d’Orsay: the Complete Guide To Visiting

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Musée d’Orsay:

1. How To Get Tickets To the Musée D’Orsay

It’s essential to make an advance reservation at the Orsay. You can’t just walk in and be guaranteed entry.

Click  here  to book a skip the line ticket. 

Another way to skip the line is to book a  2 hour guided tour of the Orsay with an expert or a  2.5 hour private tour .

The Musée d’Orsay also curates major temporary exhibits. If there’s one at the museum when you arrive, the lines will be longer than usual.

The entry fee is € 16. The audio guide is € 5. You can pick one up after you go through security and ticket check. It’s on the left.

I highly advise getting the audio guide, as there isn’t much signage. The museum is free on the first Sunday of the month, but naturally more crowded then.

The Orsay is wheelchair accessible. People assisting such visitors receive free admission.

2. Combination Ticket Options for the Musée Orsay

The Musée Orsay can be combined with two other nearby museums. You can buy a combined ticket for the Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie or book a guided tour of both the Orsay and the Musée Rodin .

The other two museums are definitely worth a visit.

The Orangerie is a small but beautiful venue, where Claude Monet’s gorgeous water lilies have a dedicated space.

The museum is also home to the Walter and Guillaume Collection. It’s a fine collection of modern European art featuring the likes of Cezanne, Matisse, Sisley, Soutine, Modigliani, and more.

The Rodin Museum is one of my very favorite museums in Paris. It houses the most iconic sculptures of Auguste Rodin, the father of modern sculpture.

The Rodin Museum is housed in a beautiful mansion, with beautiful gardens. It also boasts works by Rodin’s muse, lover, and fellow sculptor Camille Claudel .

3. Where is the Musee d’Orsay?

The Musée d’Orsay is located on the Left Bank of the Seine. It’s in the Saint Germain des Pres neighborhood, between Quai Anatole France and Rue de Lille.

The main entrance is on the Rue de la Legion d’Honneur.

4. How To Avoid Crowds at the Musée Orsay

If you want to avoid crowds, at least to some degree, choose your visiting time carefully. It’s always best to visit off season from November to March.

In general, the busiest days at the Orsay are Monday and Sunday. You should avoid a visit in the middle of the day, on weekends, or on the free first Sunday of the month.

A weekday morning visit (right when it opens) or a late Thursday night visit is the best option for crowd avoidance.

5. Choose the Right Line/Entrance

Once you’ve secured your Musée d’Orsay tickets, you need to make sure you stand in the correct entrance line. Individuals without tickets for the Orsay must use entrance A.

If you have a pre-booked group tour, use entrance B. If you’ve purchased a ticket in advance, use Entrance C on the right side.

6. Orientation to the Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay is much smaller and better organized than the Louvre . But the museum can still be overwhelming to visit because of its plethora of masterpieces. You could spend 2 hours there or the entire day there, depending on your inclination.

The Orsay’s multi-disciplinary collection is dispersed over four main levels. Galleries are on either side of the barrel-like central nave.

If you’ve only budgeted a couple hours and are primarily interested in Impressionism, head right upstairs to the top floor to enjoy those paintings. There’s an elevator in the Amont Pavilion at the far end.

If you have more time, the Orsay is organized strictly chronologically. You can take a survey of 19th century art, and see art evolve before your eyes from academic Neo-Classical styles to radical Post-Impressionist styles. To tour the museum this way, start on the right after entering the mezzanine.

7. How Is the Musée d’Orsay Organized? What Art is Where?

The Musée d’Orsay collection is presented by artistic movement. Each section has a distinctive feel. You could spend hours in just one section.

When you enter, you walk in through an incredible Art Nouveau glass awning. You’re greeted with a mini version of the Statue of Liberty.

The ground floor houses works from 1848 to the early 1870s. The massive tunnel-like nave is consecrated to countless pieces of 19th century sculpture.

You’ll see academic works by by Claudel, Carpeaux, Maillol, and Clesinger. With sun streaming through the glass roof, it’s the perfect spot to display these pieces.

On the right side galleries on the ground floor, you’ll find works from the Academic and Symbolist movements, with paintings by Ingres, Delacroix, and Moreau.

On the left side galleries, you’ll find works of Realism and Pre-Impressionism. There, you’ll find famous paintings by Manet, Corot, Millet, and Daumier.

The next level up, you’ll find a collection of decorative objects and Naturalist and Symbolist paintings, including works by Klimt and Munch.

The next level (recently renovated) features the Post-Impressionists. You’ll find seminal works by Van Gogh, Seurat, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Gauguin.

Van Gogh fans will be thrilled. The Orsay has 27 Van Gogh works, mostly in Rooms 71 and 72. There’s also a stunning stained glass window designed by Toulouse-Lautrec and produced by Tiffany.

On this level, depending on the weather, you can go out on the summer terrace. You access the terrace through the museum cafe. In the Amont Pavilion on the other end, you can stand behind the iconic gold clock and enjoy stunning views over Paris.

At the very top level, you arrive — da da da dum — in Impressionist territory. You’ll see works by heavyweights like Monet, Renoir, Degas, Sisley, Pissarro, Morisot, and Caillebotte.

READ : The Monet Guide To Paris

Entire galleries are dedicated to Monet and Renoir. Among other things, you can see Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series.

Degas didn’t technically consider himself an Impressionist. But his series of ballet dancers placed there are beautiful. And, naturally, there are plenty of rosy cheeked and sun dappled Renoir paintings.

8. Study Up Before Visiting the Musée d’Orsay

To get the most out of your visit, it’s best to study up a bit on the artists displayed at the Musée d’Orsay. You can check out the Orsay’s Works in Focus , download Rick Steve’s free audioguide , or read my guide to the Orsay’s must see masterpieces .

9. Hours & Address of the Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay is located at 1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur 75007 Paris. You can get there by Metro (station Solferino on Line 12) or by RERC (Musee d’Orsay Station).

The Musée d’Orsay is open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm daily, except closed Mondays. On Thursdays, it’s open until 9:45 pm.

10. Private Tours of the Musée d’Orsay

If you don’t want to do a DIY tour, you have plenty of options. The Orsay itself offers a guided tour titled “Masterpieces of the Musée d’Orsay.” It’s a 1.5 hour overview of its permanent collection.

If you want to go more in depth, the Orsay also offers thematic tours focusing on specific art movements. Check the website for times and availability.

Alternatively, you can book a private tour of the Orsay. It’s an extremely popular thing to do and the tours sell out fast. Here are some options:

• a 2 hour skip the line private tour
• a 2 hour semi-private tour
• a 3 hour VIP tour with gourmet lunch
• a 5.5 hour private tour of both the Orsay and the Louvre

11. Virtual Visit to the Musée d’Orsay

If you can’t get to Paris for whatever reason, you can take a virtual tour of the magnificent Musée d’Orsay from home.

On Google Arts and Culture you can virtually tour dozens of famous works from the Orsay. Smarthistory has a good collection of online videos analyzing many Orsay masterpieces.

Here’s my complete guide to 25 must see masterpieces at the Musée d’Orsay.

12. What Else Should You See Near the Musée d’Orsay?

The Musée d’Orsay is very centrally located. From it, you can explore the Latin Quarter in Paris, which has some of Paris’ must see sites such as the Pantheon .

Other nearby sites are Saint-Chapelle, the Alexandre III Bridge, Les Invalides , the Orangerie Museum , the Rodin Museum , the Zadkine Museum , and the Army Museum .

If you’re suffering from museum fatigue, take a stroll in Luxembourg Gardens or the Tuilleries. If you’d like to visit some other museums in Paris, here’s my guide to Paris’ best small museums .

I hope you’ve enjoyed my tips for visiting the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. You may enjoy these other Paris travel guides and resources:

• 3 day itinerary for Paris
• 5 day itinerary for Paris
• Hidden gems in Paris
• Best churches in Paris
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If you need some practical tips for visiting the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, pin it for later.

2 thoughts on “Practical Must Know Tips for Visiting the Musée d’Orsay in Paris”

Thank you. This is very valuable information for our trip in May, 2023.

Excellent. Hope you enjoy! I’m in Paris now and about to go to the Munch Exhibition at the Orsay. Buy skip the line tickets!

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Last Updated on August 1, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

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These 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take on Your Couch

Experience the best museums — from London to Seoul — from the comfort of your own home.

While there's nothing like setting foot inside an iconic museum and laying eyes on a world-famous sculpture created by a renowned artist centuries ago, it's not always possible to hop on a plane to New York City , Paris, or Florence to tour the gallery halls in person.

But there is a way to get a little culture and education while you're at home, gaining inspiration and intel for future trips as well. Google Arts & Culture has teamed up with more than 1,200 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world.

You get to "go to the museum" and never have to leave your couch.

Google Arts & Culture's collection includes The British Museum in London, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, the Guggenheim in New York City, and literally hundreds more places where you can gain knowledge about art, history, and science.

Take a look at just some of Google's top museums that are offering online tours and exhibits. And if you're seeking more thoughtful inspiration from the comfort of your own home, museums around the world are sharing their most zen art on social media . Or, for a dose of nature, you can go "outside" with incredible virtual tours of some of America's best national parks .

The British Museum, London

This iconic museum located in the heart of London allows virtual visitors to tour the Great Court and discover the ancient Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies. You can also find hundreds of artifacts on The Museum of the World interactive website, a collaboration between The British Museum and Google Cultural Institute.

Guggenheim, New York

Google's Street View feature lets visitors tour the Guggenheim's famous spiral staircase without ever leaving home. From there, you can discover incredible works of art from the impressionist, post-impressionist, modern, and contemporary eras.

National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

This famous American art museum features two online exhibits through Google. The first is an exhibit of American fashion from 1740 to 1895, including many renderings of clothes from the colonial and Revolutionary eras. The second is a collection of works from Dutch baroque painter Johannes Vermeer.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris

You can virtually walk through this popular gallery that houses dozens of famous works from French artists who worked and lived between 1848 and 1914. Get a peek at artworks from Monet, Cézanne, and Gauguin, among others.

Don Eim/Travel + Leisure

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul

One of Korea's popular museums can be accessed from anywhere around the world. Google's virtual tour takes you through six floors of contemporary art from Korea and all over the globe.

Pergamon Museum, Berlin

As one of Germany's largest museums, Pergamon has a lot to offer — even if you can't physically be there . This historical museum is home to plenty of ancient artifacts including the Ishtar Gate of Babylon and, of course, the Pergamon Altar.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Explore masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age, including works from Vermeer and Rembrandt. Google offers a Street View tour of this iconic museum, so you can feel as if you're actually wandering its halls.

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Anyone who's a fan of this tragic, ingenious painter can see his works up close (or, almost up close ) by virtually visiting this museum, home to the largest collection of artworks by Vincent van Gogh, including more than 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and 750 personal letters.

The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles

European artworks from as far back as the eighth century can be found in this California art museum. Take a Street View tour to discover a huge collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, manuscripts, and photographs.

Uffizi Gallery, Florence

This less well-known gallery houses the art collection of one of Florence's most famous families, the de' Medicis. The building was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 specifically for Cosimo I de' Medici, but anyone can wander its halls from anywhere in the world .

MASP, São Paulo

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo is a nonprofit and Brazil's first modern museum. Artworks placed on clear, raised frames make it seem like they're hovering in midair. Take a virtual tour to experience the wondrous display for yourself.

National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City

Built in 1964, this museum is dedicated to the archaeology and history of Mexico's pre-Hispanic heritage. There are 22 exhibit rooms filled with ancient artifacts, including some from the Maya civilization.

Not all popular art museums and galleries are included in Google Arts & Culture's collection, but some have taken it upon themselves to offer online visits. For example, the Louvre offers virtual tours on its website .

To see more of Google Arts & Culture's collection of museums, visit its website . There are thousands of museum Street Views on Google as well. Google Arts & Culture also has an online experience for exploring famous historic and cultural heritage sites .

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All About the Musee d'Orsay in Paris

Highlights and Visitor Tips

TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

One of the world's most-visited museums, the Musée d'Orsay houses the largest collection of paintings, sculpture, and decorative objects produced between 1848-1914, showcasing many of the most remarkable works of the early modern era.

Giving visitors a detailed and breathtaking look at the birth of modern painting, sculpture, design, and even photography, the Orsay's permanent collection spans from neoclassicism and romanticism to impressionism, expressionism, and art nouveau design. Highlights from the world-class collection include masterpieces by artists including Ingres, Delacroix, Monet, Degas, Manet, Gaugin, Toulouse-Lautrec, and Van Gogh.

Read related: Make sure to consult our list of the best impressionist museums in Paris to expand your understanding of this exciting movement.

Location and Contact Info:

Address: 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur 7th arrondissement Metro: Solferino (Line 12) RER: Musee d'Orsay (Line C) Bus: Lines 24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, and 94

The museum is located in the Saint-Germain des Pres neighborhood , between Quai Anatole France and Rue de Lille, and faces the Seine River on the left bank. The museum is also a five minute walk across the river from the Jardin des Tuileries . Also nearby:

• The Latin Quarter
• The Louvre Museum
• Rodin Museum and Garden
• Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum)

Information by phone:

• +33(0)1 40 49 48 14
• +33(0)1 40 49 49 78

Visit the website

Opening Hours:

9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Tuesdays through Sundays)

9:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. (Thursdays)

Closed Mondays.

Closed : May 1st and Dec. 25th.

For current admission fees, see this page .

• Free for all visitors on the first Sunday of every month.
• Free for visitors under age 18.
• Free for visitors age 18-25 who are citizens of an EU member state.
• Free for unemployed visitors.
• Free for disabled visitors.
• Free for holders of a  Paris Museum Pass .

Guided Museum Tours:

• Masterpieces of the Musée d'Orsay​ Tour  is an English-language tour that provides individual visitors with a 1.5 hour overview of the permanent collections. The tour runs Tuesday to Saturday. See the official website for current times and prices. 
• Various Thematic Group Tours are available in areas such as Great Works of Art in the Musée d'Orsay, Great Artistic Movements, From Academism to Impressionism, The Era of Impressionist Exhibitions, and After Impressionism (1886-1914). Times, dates, and themes vary.

Accessibility:

Fortunately, all levels of this museum are wheelchair-accessible. Individuals assisting disabled visitors are admitted to the museum free of charge. In addition, wheelchairs are available at the coat check. Rental is free, but a passport or driver's license is required as a security deposit

Shopping and Dining at the Museum:

The museum gift shop and bookstore is open every day except Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (open until 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.) The museum restaurant is located on the middle level. Serving simple, if a bit expensive, meals in an ornate setting, the restaurant features elaborate ceiling frescoes and carvings. Expect to pay 25-50 Euros for a meal (approx. $33-$67). No reservations.

Restaurant telephone: +33 (0) 1 45 49 47 03

Temporary Exhibits:

Musée d'Orsay​ curates special exhibits and thematic events on a regular basis. Visit this page for detailed information on upcoming exhibits and special events.

Make the Most of Your Visit:

Follow my  Top 5 Musee d'Orsay Visitor Tips to ensure your visit is an enriching and exciting one.

Orientation and Collection Highlights

The permanent collection at Musée d'Orsay spans four main levels and a terrace exhibition space. The collection is presented chronologically and according to artistic movement.

Ground Floor:

The Ground Floor (not to be confused with the European first floor , which is the second floor in the U.S.) features works produced from 1848 to the early 1870's.  The right-side galleries focus on the evolution of historical painting and on the Academic and pre-symbolist schools. Highlights include works by Ingres, Delacroix, Moreau, and early works of Edgar Degas, who would later become an important figure in impressionist painting. 

Meanwhile, t he left-side galleries focus on Naturalism, Realism, and pre-impressionism. Important works by Courbet, Corot, Millet,and Manet can be found here. Major works include Millet's The Angelus (1857-1859) and Manet's infamous 1863 painting Le dejeuner sur l'herbe (Lunch on the Grass) which depicts a nude woman picnicking with two clothed men.

Architecture, sculpture and decorative objects on this level include Second-Empire models and objects belonging to the mid-19th century eclecticism movement.

The Middle Level:

This floor holds an important collection of late 19th century paintings, pastels, and decorative objects, including six rooms reserved for Art Nouveau decoration.

The galleries facing the Seine feature Naturalist and Symbolist painting as well as decorations from public monuments. Foreign painting, including works by Klimt and Munch, is featured alongside French painting.  The South galleries include the later works of Maurice Denis, Roussel, and Bonnard.

The "Upper Level" (2):

This next level  shows the emergence of innovative, unconventional techniques in painting and pastels by neoimpressionists, Nabists, and the Pont-Aven painters. Major works by Gaugin, Seurat, Signac, and Toulouse-Lautrec are here. Meanwhile,  small format painting is shown on this level in a dedicated gallery.

Top Floor/Upper Level "1":

The top floor ("Upper Level (1") arguably houses the most breathtaking galleries in the museum. Countless great works from the impressionist and expressionist movements can be found here.

Highlights include works by impressionists Degas, Monet, Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro, and Caillebotte. Entire galleries are consecrated to Monet and Renoir after 1880.

In the world-famous Gachet collection , groundbreaking works by Van Gogh and Cezanne can be seen. Highlights in sculpture include breathtaking Degas dancers.

The Terrace Level

The "terrace" area is primarily consecrated to 19th century sculpture, with an entire wing reserved for the sublime works of French sculptor Auguste Rodin ( Read related:  All About the Rodin Museum & Gardens )

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• Electrostal History and Art Museum

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• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pekhorka Park
• Saturn Stadium
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center

Jeux de Paris 2024 - Access to the Musée d'Orsay

Due to the Jeux de Paris 2024, access to the museum may be modified. The Musée d'Orsay is open during the period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (except July 25 and 26, 2024), but access is modified during certain periods. 

We invite you to consult this page regularly to prepare your visit. 

Exceptional closures and opening hours

The museum is open all summer 2024 except July 25 and 26, 2024 .

From July 18 to August 15, 2024 inclusive, there are no late-night openings on Thursday evenings. 

How to access to the museum

Tickets & conditions.

The Musée d'Orsay is accessible in the usual way during the Paris 2024 Games from July 27 to August 11: online sales with reservations and on-site sales.

From July 18 to July 24, 2024 : reservations are compulsory for all visitors, including those benefiting from free admission and cardholders.

Book for this period

In the period leading up to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the museum is accessible without a digital pass (QR Code). Access to the museum entrance is via rue de Lille only. 

Combined Orsay/Orangerie tickets are suspended from July 1 to August 31, 2024.

We advise you to plan ahead and consult the dedicated websites:

• Anticipating the Games
• Ile-de-France mobilités
• Paris City Hall website
• Paris 2024 Public Transport Android application 
• Paris 2024 Public Transport iOS application

How to visit

Changing rooms.

Due to locker room work until September 30, 2024, induction capacity is reduced. Please limit your personal belongings during your visit. 

From July 18 to 24, access to the museum with luggage, including cabin size is prohibited. 

What's on at the museum

During the Paris 2024 Games, the museum remains open. 

Exhibitions, collections, guided tours: discover the full program: 

See the agenda