The Best Musee d’Orsay Tour 2023

FAQ – Musee d’Orsay Tour

Is Musee d’Orsay worth seeing?

Absolutely! If you are a true art lover, Musee d’Orsay should definitely be on your visit list. Many people think that the Louvre Museum is the only place in Paris filled with incredible artworks worth seeing, but that is completely wrong. Some of the world’s most important artworks are housed at the Musee d’Orsay.

How long does it take to walk through Musee d Orsay?

If you want to fully explore all the areas of the museum, you will need 1.5 to 2 hours. The museum features many incredible art collections, so don’t rush and take your time to see everything you can.

Is Musee d’Orsay better than the Louvre Museum?

The right answer to the question of which museum in Paris is better and worth visiting would be – all of them! Every museum offers unique and different artworks that definitely must be seen. That’s why we highly recommend you visit as many museums as possible while in Paris. Trust us, you won’t regret it!

What is near the Musée d’Orsay?

Due to the very convenient central location of the•Musée d’Orsay, you will be able to see many iconic sites near it. From it, you can head to the Latin Quarter, which has some of Paris’ must-see sites, including the famous Pantheon. You will also see the Alexandre III Bridge, the Seine River, Les Invalides, and the Orangerie Museum nearby.

What else should I visit while in Paris?

As you might already know, the marvelous Notre Dame Cathedral, Eiffel Tower, and Arc de Triomphe should be at the top of your visit list. However, there are much more attractions worth seeing in Paris. To fully experience all the beauty that the city of Paris offers, we highly recommend booking one of our best-value Paris tours.

Everything you need to know before visiting Musee d’Orsay – Valuable Tips

Musee d’Orsay is undoubtedly one of the world’s most exciting and richest art museums. Its permanent collection houses hundreds of magnificent original works from artists of early modern and Impressionist art, including Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, and Auguste Rodin. This world’s famous museum also curates some major temporary exhibits throughout the year and hosts several not-to-be-missed special events. 

We gathered some valuable tips to help you get the most out of your visit to Musee d’Orsay. Read them all and find out everything you need to know to fully prepare yourself for a visit.

Book a guided tour of Musee d’Orsay.

We strongly advise you to take a guided tour of Musee d’Orsay instead of just purchasing an entrance ticket for the museum. A guided tour will allow you to fully understand what each artwork represents, and you will be able to learn many interesting facts about the lives of art masters from your expert tour guide. There are also some hidden areas inside the museum that you would never stumble upon by yourself unless you had a guide.

Avoid large crowds.

Attracting nearly three million visitors a year, Musée d’Orsay will always be relatively crowded, no matter which season you choose for a visit. Although, if you carefully choose your timing, you’ll be far more likely to enjoy your visit and avoid the crowds. After all, who wouldn’t like to have more space in a museum to themselves, enjoy the silence, and spend some time calmly observing favorite masterpieces?

To beat the crowds and enjoy calmer conditions at the Orsay Museum, we suggest you plan your visit during the following times:

• During the off-season (from November to March)
• From 9:30 am to noon 
• In the evening, between 6:00 and 9:45 pm (Thursdays only)
• On weekdays

Explore the neighborhood around the museum.

After a guided walking tour of Musee d’Orsay, set aside some time to explore the surrounding neighborhood. You will be able to find many iconic sights and attractions around the museum, including the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. It is primarily famous for its cafes, where artists and writers once spent their time and consumed bottomless cups of coffee. You will also see many boutiques, antique stores, antiquarian bookshops, and art galleries in this area. 

Right next to the Orsay Museum, you can find the charming Italian-style garden called Jardin des Tuileries. This is an ideal place for a walk, picnic, or to spend a lazy couple of hours reading and enjoying the views of the beautiful gardens. 

Also, the iconic Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars are not that far away from the Musee d’Orsay, so you can consider hopping over to these places after visiting the museum.