Musee d'Orsay Tickets

History

History of Musée d’Orsay

History of Musée d’Orsay

Explore the rich history of the Musée d’Orsay, from its origins as a train station to its transformation into a world-renowned museum featuring 19th-century masterpieces, through our concise historical timeline and in-depth overview.

Historical Timeline of Musée d’Orsay

1898

Construction begins on the Gare d’Orsay, a magnificent Beaux-Arts style train station designed by Victor Laloux.

1900

The Gare d’Orsay is inaugurated as the main terminus of the Paris-Orsay line, connecting the city center to the suburb of Orsay. The station quickly becomes an architectural landmark and a symbol of Parisian modernity.

1929

The popularity of the Gare d’Orsay declines due to the rise of the automobile and the construction of newer, more efficient train stations.

1939

The station is closed to passenger traffic, but it remains in use for freight.

1957

The idea of transforming the Gare d’Orsay into a museum is first proposed by the French Minister of Culture, André Malraux. The proposal is met with enthusiasm by the public, and a committee is formed to study the feasibility of the project.

1960

The committee presents its report, recommending that the Gare d’Orsay be converted into a museum dedicated to Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The French government approves the plan, and the Ministry of Culture begins the process of acquiring the station and its land.

1973

Demolition of the Gare d’Orsay begins, despite protests from preservationists who want to save the building. The demolition is completed in 1974, and the building’s interior is extensively renovated to adapt it to its new purpose as a museum.

1978

The Musée d’Orsay opens to the public on December 1st. The museum quickly becomes one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris. The collection includes masterpieces by Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and Symbolist artists, including Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, van Gogh, and Gauguin.

1986

The Musée d’Orsay is expanded with the addition of a new wing, which houses temporary exhibitions.

1994

The Musée d’Orsay undergoes a major renovation, which includes the restoration of its Beaux-Arts architecture and the modernization of its exhibition spaces.

2007

The Musée d’Orsay celebrates its 30th anniversary with a series of special events and exhibitions.

2018

The Musée d’Orsay opens a new permanent exhibition dedicated to the work of Vincent van Gogh.

Today

The Musée d’Orsay remains one of the most popular and respected museums in the world.

History of Musée d’Orsay

Delve into the interesting history of Musée d’Orsay with our meticulously crafted overview. Immerse yourself in each intricately presented segment, journeying through time to unveil the origins, transformations, and profound cultural significance of this iconic building.

The Gare d’Orsay, designed by Victor Laloux, was inaugurated in 1900 to serve as the main terminus of the Paris-Orsay line. Its opulent façade, featuring soaring arches, a glass dome, and a grand staircase, quickly became an iconic landmark of Parisian architecture.

The Gare d’Orsay embodied the spirit of the Belle Époque era, a period of great prosperity, innovation, and cultural vibrancy in France. The station’s grandeur and elegance reflected the city’s status as a global center of art, fashion, and culture.

As the automobile gained popularity, the Gare d’Orsay’s passenger traffic began to decline. The construction of newer, more efficient train stations further exacerbated the situation.

In 1939, the Gare d’Orsay ceased passenger operations and was repurposed as a freight depot. Despite its reduced role, the station’s architectural integrity remained intact, earning it a place among Paris’s architectural gems.

In 1957, French Minister of Culture André Malraux proposed transforming the Gare d’Orsay into a museum dedicated to Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The idea was met with enthusiasm but faced challenges, as the building’s architectural features had to be preserved while adapting it to its new purpose.

A meticulous restoration process was undertaken to ensure the integrity of the structure while creating a suitable environment for art exhibitions. After years of planning and renovation, the Musée d’Orsay opened its doors to the public in 1978. The museum quickly gained international recognition as a top destination for admirers of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.

The Musée d’Orsay houses an unparalleled collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, featuring works by renowned artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, and many others. In 1986, a new wing was added to accommodate temporary exhibitions, and in 1994, the museum underwent a major renovation to restore its Beaux-Arts architecture and modernize its exhibition spaces.

The Musée d’Orsay has established itself as a cultural icon and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris. It attracts more than 3 million visitors each year, drawn to its world-class collection, its exquisite architecture, and its unique atmosphere.

Exquisite clock in Gare Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France

Architecture of Musée d’Orsay

The Musée d’Orsay stands as a captivating architectural masterpiece, a testament to the grandeur of 19th-century Beaux-Arts style. Designed by Victor Laloux, the former Gare d’Orsay train station seamlessly blends the grandeur of a palace with the functionality of a modern transportation hub.

The museum’s façade, adorned with ornate arches and a majestic glass dome, dominates the banks of the Seine River, capturing the essence of Parisian elegance and modernity during the Belle Époque era. Visitors are greeted by a grand entrance hall, where the soaring ceilings and intricate details create an atmosphere of awe and wonder.

>> Learn more: Attractions inside Musée d’Orsay

Orsay Museum Tickets & Tours

Explore our thoughtfully curated selection of tickets and guided tours for the Musée d’Orsay.

Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket

4.7/5

17.9K+ Reviews

From €13

GetYourGuide

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Entry Ticket
  • Priority Entrance
  • Valid 1 Day
  • Not Refundable

“The reserved access made entry to the museum much quicker. Visiting in January there were still queues for buying entry tickets…”

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Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket and Digital Audio Guide App

4.5/5

1.7K+ Reviews

From €15

GetYourGuide

  • Reserve Now & Pay Later
  • Orsay Museum Entry Ticket
  • Smartphone Ticket Accepted
  • Audio Guide Included
  • Free Cancellation

“Very impressive exhibition, informative, very well documented, a parade of wonderful pictures…”

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Check Availability

Paris: Musée d’Orsay Ticket and Guided Tour

4.6/5

380+ Reviews

From €64

GetYourGuide

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Smartphone Ticket
  • 2-Hr Guided Tour
  • Skip the Line Ticket included
  • Free Cancellation

“My tour of Musée d’Orsay was a phenomenal experience, largely thanks to our outstanding guide…”

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Combo (Save 11%): Orsay Museum + Seine River Cruise Tickets

4.7/5

5.4K+ Reviews

From €41.99

Headout

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Combo Ticket
  • Orsay Museum Ticket
  • 1-Hr Seine Cruise
  • No Cancellation

“Everything! From booking at Headout to the staff cooperation at the site…everything was just perfect..will definitely recommend….”

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Check Availability

Louvre Museum + Musée d’Orsay

4.8/5

90+ Reviews

From €35.65

Tiqets

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Combo Ticket
  • Dedicated Entry to Musée d’Orsay 
  • Fast-Track Access to Louvre
  • No Cancellation

“Convenient and fast, especially at the Louvre museum we avoided a very long queue, saving time…”

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Check Availability

Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket

4.7/5 (17.9K+ Reviews)

With this ticket, you’ll explore the Musée d’Orsay at your own pace. Benefit from priority entrance through a seperate entrance and skip the line. Head to entrance A, present your ticket, and gain access to the permanent collection as well as any temporary exhibitions available on the day of your visit. Secure your ticket now and immerse yourself in the world of Impressionism. Admire masterpieces by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and other major artists of this era.

  • Priority Entrance To The Museum
  • Access to the permanent collection & temporary exhibition

Starting Time: Select your preferred time slot

GetYourGuide traveler – United Kingdom, February 2023 [Source: GetYourGuide]

The reserved access made entry to the museum much quicker. Visiting in January there were still queues for buying entry tickets. The address given could be slightly confusing. You just need to join the prepaid queue on the entrance side of the museum building.

From €13

Check Availability

GetYourGuide

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Entry Ticket
  • Priority Entrance
  • Valid 1 day
  • Not Refundable


Paris: Orsay Museum Entry Ticket and Digital Audio Guide App

4.5/5 (1.7K+ Reviews)

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Impressionism at the Musée d’Orsay. This museum is home to unparalleled masterpieces from legendary artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh. Thanks to your included downloadable audio guide app available in 13 languages, you can listen to insightfull audio commentary and truly appreciate the world-class art collection of more than 300 pieces!

  • Orsay Museum entry ticket
  • Complimentary digital audio guide app (downloadable app)
  • Flexible entry time

Starting Time: Select your time slot for Eiffel Tower; admission to Orsay Museum at any time during operating hours.

Duration of Eiffel Tower guided tour: 1.5 hours

Hans Albert, Switzerland – June 2024 [Source: GetYourGuide]

Very impressive exhibition, informative, very well documented, a parade of wonderful pictures. Also interesting is the comparison with the “official” painters of the time, who were selected by the jury – in contrast to the Impressionists. The “official” painters were technically good – very good, but conventional; today most of them are forgotten, in contrast to the Impressionists.

From €15

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GetYourGuide

  • Reserve Now & Pay Later
  • Orsay Museum Entry Ticket
  • Smartphone Ticket
  • Audio Guide Included
  • Free Cancellation

Paris: Musée d’Orsay Ticket and Guided Tour

4.6/5 (380+ Reviews)

With this ticket, you’ll delve deeper into the collections of the Orsay Museum and absorb even more valuable information about the grand era of Impressionism and its world-famous artists. Meet your guide in front of the museum, enjoy priority entrance, and marvel at the masterpieces of Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, and others while listening to the stories and anecdotes of your knowledgeable companion, packed with valuable insights. Enhance your knowledge of this art era now!

  • Skip-the-line ticket for Musée d’Orsay
  • Licensed Guide
  • English-speaking Tour

Starting times: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10:00 AM

Maximum group size: 15 people

Meeting point: Next to the rhino statue outside the museum. Your guide will be holding a sign with the name “Walks”

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour starts and bring your ID or passport

5* GetYourGuide traveler – United States, December 14, 2023 – Verified booking

My tour of Musée d’Orsay was a phenomenal experience, largely thanks to our outstanding guide. Their passion and extensive knowledge about art history brought the museum’s collection to life. The guide expertly navigated us through the masterpieces, weaving fascinating stories and historical context that captivated our group. Their enthusiasm was infectious, making every moment engaging. This tour was not just educational, but a truly immersive journey through art, leaving me eager to return.

From €64

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GetYourGuide

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Smartphone Ticket
  • 2-Hr Guided Tour
  • Skip the Line Ticket included
  • Free Cancellation

Combo (Save 11%): Orsay Museum + Seine River Cruise Tickets

4.7/5 (5.4K+ Reviews)

With this combo ticket, you’ll explore the world of Impressionism at the Orsay Museum and take in the sights of Paris on a river cruise by Bateaux Parisiens. Admire striking masterpieces from world-renowned 19th-century artists like Monet, Renoir, and Van Gogh, and discover the attractions of the City of Love and Lights such as Eiffel Tower, Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral from a unique perspective from the waterside. Listen to insightful commentary about the distinctive landmarks as you gently glide them by.

  • 1-hour Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Cruise (flexible ticket)
  • Audio Guide In 14 Languages On Board
  • Entrance To The Orsay Museum (Within The Chosen Time Slot)

Validity: Valid for the date selected during checkout.

Duration of seine cruise: 1 hour

5* Darshana – June 2024 [Source: Headout]

Everything! From booking at Headout to the staff cooperation at the site…everything was just perfect..will definitely recommend to all my friends and family. Also, planning to book again for family soon. Thank you and keep up the good work!

From €41.99

Check Availability

Headout

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Combo Ticket
  • Entry to Orsay Museum
  • 1-Hr Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Cruise
  • No Cancellation

Louvre Museum + Musée d’Orsay

4.5/5 (90+ Reviews)

This combo ticket is the ultimate experience for art enthusiasts. It offers access to the two most famous museums in Paris. Start at Louvre, whose exhibits cover the world of art from the 5th millennium BC to the 19th century. Then, move on to Musée d’Orsay, whose collection picking up where those of Louvre end and continue into the early 20th century. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to exchange into 7000 years of art history!

Musée Du Louvre

  • Guaranteed Access Within 30 Minutes
  • Access To The Permanent Collection
  • Access To The Temporary Exhibitions, If Offered
  • Access To The National Museum Eugène Delacroix

Musée D’orsay

  • Priority Entrance To The Museum
  • Entry Within The Chosen Time Slot
  • Access To The Permanent Exhibition
  • Access To Temporary Exhibitions, If Available

Starting Time: Select your preferred time slot for each museum

Anonymous, 11 Mar 2023, Verified customer [Source: Tiqets]

Convenient and fast, especially at the Louvre museum we avoided a very long queue, saving time.

From €35.65

Check Availability

Tiqets

  • Instant Confirmation
  • Combo Ticket
  • Fast-Track Access to Louvre
  • Dedicated Entry to Musée d’Orsay 
  • No Cancellation

>> Compare all options with our comparison table and pick the best ticket.

>> Check out the best places to eat near the Orsay Museum with our restaurant recommendations.

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