Paris is home to some of the most impressive museums in the world, and the Musée d’Orsay is one of the finest. Here you’ll find the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces.
From Manet’s ground-breaking Le Dejeuner sur l’herbe to Monet’s poppy-strewn landscapes, the best of French art from 1848 to 1914 is here. And while the paintings are the main draw, there are also decorative arts, sculptures and photography.
Decided to visit this must-see Paris museum? Here’s your guide on how to get to Musée d’Orsay.
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How to get to Musée d’Orsay by Metro
The nearest Metro and railway stations to the museum are Solférino and Musée d’Orsay, although confusingly Solférino is the nearest. Wondering how to get to Musée d’Orsay by Metro? For the shortest walk between the Metro station and the museum, take Line 12 to Solférino.
Line 12 also provides a handy direct link to the Concorde Metro station on the Place de la Concorde, which is at the end of the walk down the Champs Élysée from the Arc de Triomphe. Just pick up Line 12 going south, in the direction of Mairie D’Issy, and two stops will take you to Solférino. Line 12 also offers easy travel from Montmartre’s Abbesses station, one of only two with a remaining ‘dragonfly’ entrance. You can identify Paris’ Metro lines by color and number, and spot stations by finding the large M displayed at street level.
Buy a ticket or travel pass before boarding. See someone at the ticket desk or purchase from a multilingual ticket machine.
How to get to Musée d’Orsay by train
Take the train – Regional Express Network (RER) – Line C and alight at the Musée d’Orsay stop. This is useful for traveling from the Eiffel Tower: as you exit, walk towards the Champ de Mars Eiffel Tower station and here you can pick up Line C.
To make your visit to Musée d’Orsay extra special, take a private guided tour with a licensed expert guide. You’ll see the building’s iconic clock face and have the opportunity to take a picture of your silhouette between its arms.
Remember, on weekdays Metro and RER trains run from 05:30 to around 01:15. On Friday and Saturday evenings, and the day before a public holiday, trains run until about 02:15.
How to get to Musée d’Orsay by bus
Traveling by bus is more scenic than the Metro, and there are plenty of lines that will take you to the Musée d’Orsay. Buses 63, 68, 69. 73, 83, 84, 87 and 94 run past or near the museum.
How to get to Musée d’Orsay by bus? Bus 73 will take you on a grand route from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs Élysée and across the Seine to the museum. If you’re visiting the Neo-Baroque Palais Garnier, bus 68 will take you past the Louvre to the museum.
At a bus stop, put your arm out to let the driver know you want to get that bus. You’ll board at the front and disembark in the middle or at the back. The Line number and direction are shown on the front of a bus, and for traveling times allow about 5 minutes per stop.
Buses operate from Monday to Saturday, from around 07:00 to 00:30. But do check since some lines don’t run all evening. About half of Paris’ bus lines operate on Sundays and bank holidays.
Paris buses take the same tickets as the Metro, but remember that a single ticket will cover only one journey without any changes. Make sure you have more than one ticket if you’re changing to a different bus route or transferring to another type of Parisian public transport.
To speed up your visit to the museum after your bus ride, visit via a dedicated entrance at gate A. Choose the tickets for Musée d’Orsay: dedicated entrance option.
How to get to Musee d’Orsay on foot
A leisurely walk around Paris is a great way to see its beautiful architecture up close. And the City of Light’s mix of grand boulevards and narrow old streets make for a fascinating wander, with plenty of cafes for a break with a coffee and a pastry.
So how to get Musée d’Orsay on foot? Located on the riverbank opposite the Tuilleries, the museum is around 10 minutes walk from the Place de la Concorde and around 12 minutes from the Louvre. There are several nearby attractions to the Musée d’Orsay to make for an interesting day on the Left Bank.
Start with a visit to Napoleon’s tomb at Les Invalides, and a short walk takes you to the Musée Rodin. Here you’ll find The Kiss, The Thinker, and other stunning works, some set within the peaceful Sculpture Garden. It’s just 13 minutes walk between the Musée Rodin and the Musée d’Orsay. Plan your day carefully; this amazing collection of French art is not the place for an unplanned arrival. The Musée d’Orsay is one of the most-visited museums in the world and can get very busy.
Book a guided tour to see some of the most famous impressionist paintings without searching for them, and learn how the movement changed the art world forever.
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