Musée d'Orsay — The Impressionists
The Musée d'Orsay is the most beautiful art museum in the world — and that's no exaggeration. Housed in a former train station (Gare d'Orsay, 1900), it holds the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art: Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, and many more.
The Highlights
- Impressionism (5th Floor): Monet's Cathedral of Rouen (in different lights), Renoir's Bal du Moulin de la Galette, Degas' ballet dancers, Manet's Olympia and Luncheon on the Grass.
- Post-Impressionism: Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône and Self-Portrait, Cézanne's still lifes, Gauguin's Tahiti paintings, Seurat's A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (Pointillism).
- Sculptures: Rodin, Degas (the little dancer), Camille Claudel.
- The Great Clock: The famous glass station clock offers an iconic view of the Seine and the Louvre — one of the most popular photo spots in Paris.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Entry | 16€, free for EU citizens under 26. Free on the 1st Sunday of the month (Oct–Mar). |
| Opening Hours | Tue–Sun 9:30 AM–6:00 PM, Thu until 9:45 PM. Closed on Mondays. |
| Waiting Time | 30–90 min. without advance booking |
| Duration | 2–4 hours |
| Metro | Solférino (Line 12) or Musée d'Orsay (RER C) |
💡 Tipp
Thursday evening is the insider tip: The museum is open until 9:45 PM, and from 6 PM it significantly empties out. The Impressionist halls on the 5th floor in the evening light — a dream. And: Start at the top (5th floor, Impressionists) and work your way down — most visitors do the opposite.
