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Rodin Museum
Orsay Museum
Rodin Museum
Orsay Museum
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Orsay Museum
Seine River Cruise
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Inclusions
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Duration: The visit can last as long as you would like.
Duration: 2 hours
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours. You can stay explore Orsay on your own after the tour is completed.
Between 1810 and 1838, the site where Orsay stands today served as cavalry barracks and later a grand palace. The palace, Palais d’Orsay, housed the Court of Accounts and the State Council. By 1912, both institutions had moved to the Cambon Palace and Palais-Royal, respectively.
The site of the Palais d'Orsay was bought by the Compagnie Paris-Orléans, which erected a new station, the Gare d'Orsay here. The station was designed by French architect Victor Alexandre Frederic Laloux. It was constructed in a neoclassical style with a stone facade that could hide metal and glass frames and was equipped with modern amenities like lifts and escalators. In 1939, the railway station halted operation the platforms became unsuitable for modern trains. Eventually, in 1978 the station was put on the supplementary list of Historic Monuments and it was decided that the station would be turned into a museum. The Orsay museum officially opened in December 1986.
History of Orsay MuseumThe giant clock that adorns the Orsay Museum building is one of the few remnants from the building's past as a railway station. One of the remnants of the old station is a beautiful giant clock that remains in the museum. It's located on the fifth floor of the building and is part of the great clock.
The clock does not stand simply as a reminder of the past; it offers stunning views of the Seine River, and famous Parisian landmarks nearby such as the Louvre, the Tuileries Garden, and Sacre Coeur.
Know MoreOrsay is home to an impressive collection of French art dating from 1848 to 1914, with much of the focus on Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces. The Orsay collection includes over 6,000 works of art, which include paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. Of these, 3,000 works form part of the museum's permanent collection.
Notable works include Poppies by Monet, The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, The Age of Bronze by Auguste Rodin, and photographs by Gustave Le Gray.
Explore the Collection at OrsayPaintings make a significant portion of the Orsay Museum collection. You will find an impressive repertoire of 3,000 Realist, Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and other 19th-century art. The vast collection includes works by artists some of the greatests such as Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, Cezanne, and more.
Some of the most famous artworks include A Burial at Ornans by Gustave Courbet, Blue Water Lilies by Claude Monet, Frédéric Bazille's The Family Reunion, and Paul Cézanne's Apples and Oranges. Orsay is also home to 24 of Vincent van Gogh's paintings including L'Arlésienne, Bedroom in Arles, Self Portrait, The Siesta, The Church at Auvers, View from the Chevet, The Italian Woman, Starry Night, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Doctor Gachet's Garden in Auvers, and Saint-Rémy.
Detailed Overview of Paintings as OrsayMusée d’Orsay has on display an extensive, impressive collection of 19th and 20th Century works comprising perhaps one of the best collections of Impressionist art in all of Europe. Here are the top pieces you should keep your eyes peeled for.
Perhaps one of the most well-known pieces of modern art is Van Gogh’s Starry Night. It was painted on the bank of Rhone, depicting Arles at night. Featuring oils on canvas, the painting uses rich shades of blue, bright yellow stars offering light and showing two lovers in the foreground.
Degas, a prominent artist from the era of Realism, drew inspiration from Marie, a Paris Opera dancer, to create the Small Dancer Aged 14 sculpture. While the Orsay Museum work is made of bronze, Degas’ original was made of skin-colored wax and was complete with real hair and a tutu. Despite receiving much criticism when it was first displayed to the public, the sculpture is now beloved around the world.
This 1876 painting by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir is one of the most renowned examples of Impressionist art. Renoir uses vivid colors and imagery to portray the growing cafe culture and bustling life of the Parisian Bourgeoisie, depicting the change Paris went through, from a cramped, small town to a city with open spaces and a lively population.
Monet is considered to be one of the most admired artists in art history. Poppy Field is one of his most iconic works and for good reason. The rich colors, predominantly hues of red, green, and yellow, and elaborate depiction of flowers stay in your mind well after you’ve moved on to the next painting. It depicts four characters — art critics believe them to be Monet’s family — strolling through a fully-bloomed poppy field.
Monet and Renoir’s contemporary, Frederick Bazille, was a gifted painter whose legacy was cut short when he died young at only 29. One of his most famed artwork, Bazille’s Studio depicts the interiors of his studio, where one can see the painter himself, along with Zola, Monet, Renoir, and Manet. Bazille’s usage of rich details lends the painting an almost life-like quality and gives the observer a rich insight into his impression of art.
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most magnificent, world-renowned sculptures in the world. Bartholdi, as the principal artist, sculpted a scale model, almost 3-meters tall, for the Universal Exhibition held in Paris in 1900. It follows the same simple, yet regal design of the original statue, a challenging feat considering the size limitations Bartholdi had to work with. The result? A fine blend of values shared by the western world.
The Orsay Museum is closed on Mondays, 1 May and 25 December.
The best time to visit the Orsay Museum is during low season, between September to November, and between February to April. The best time to visit in a day would be early morning to experience smaller crowds.
The Orsay Museum is located at 1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France.
You can take the metro, RER or bus to get to the Orsay Museum.
By Metro: Take line 12 to Solférino station
By RER: Take line C to Musée d'Orsay station
By Bus: Take lines 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87, or 94.
The Orsay Museum has four dedicated entrances for visitors: A, B, C, D. Depending on your ticket type you can access the entrance accordingly.
Primarily, entrances A and C are for individual visitors with pre-booked or priority access tickets.
If you decide to drive down, you can park your park at the Carrousel du Louvre or the Bac Montalembert car park
If you are a vistor with disability you will find reserved parking sports at n°1 place Montherlant, n°5 rue de Bellechasse, n°48 rue de Lille, n°77 rue de Lille, n°81 rue de Lille, n°8 rue de Solférino, n°7 rue de Poitiers, n°1 rue de Villersexel, n°13 rue du Bac and n°96 rue de l 'University.
The Orsay Museum conducts exhibitions throughout the year. Currently, these are the exhibitions on display:
1. Yves Saint Laurent in Museums
Date: Until 15th May 2022
2. James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), Masterpieces from the Frick Collection, New York
Date: Until 8 May 2022
3. Sophie Calle The Ghosts of Orsay
Date: 15 March 2022 to 12 June 2022
Know MoreA. Orsay Museum tickets are available online. You can purchase them here.
A. Yes, Orsay Museum tickets are available online. In fact, you must book your Orsay tickets online as they now accept only digital reservations.
A. Depending on the type of experience you would want, you can choose between a standard entry ticket, or a guided tour, which would allow you explore the museum along with and English-speaking expert guide. Or, you can opt for a combo tour, which would allow you to explore two important Paris attractions.
A. The best way to buy Orsay Museum tickets is to buy the online. This allows you to take advantage of discounts, book tickets in advance and even avoid crowds.
A. Yes, you can purchase Orsay Museum tickets online. However, it is recommended that you book your tickets in advance so that you can avoid long lines and enjoy priority access.
A. Those less than 18 years of age and EU citizens aged 25 and under, students of art history, differently-abled people and their accompanying person, holders of Pass Éducation cards, ICOM cards, Culture Passes, as well as members of the press, tour guides, and lecturers enjoy free entry to Orsay Museum. Entry to Orsay Museum is also free on the first Sunday of every month.
A. It depends on the Orsay Museum ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 48-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
A. If you are traveling on a budget it would best to opt for the standard entry tickets that allow you access to the Orsay Museum. You can explore the museum at your own pace. You can rent their audio guide for an even more fruitful experience.
A. Opt for a guided tour of the Orsay Museum ticket to get an more in-depth understanding of the museum and its collection. However, if you prefer to travel by yourself, you can choose the audio-guide variant of the ticket. Audio guides are available in 14 languages so you can explore Orsay at your own pace.
A. Opt for a combo tour as it allows you to explore one other iconic Paris attraction such as the Eiffel Tower or the Orangerie Museum for an extremely pocket-friendly rate.