The Musée d’Orsay on Paris’ left bank houses one of the largest collections of impressionist paintings in the world, as well as an exquisite hall of sculptures. If you’re planning a trip to Paris and have only a limited amount of time, here are three reasons we suggest you skip the Louvre and head to one of these two fantastic art museums in Paris.
First, assuming you’ve purchased tickets in advance, there are likely to be much shorter lines and you can see most of the museum in just a couple of hours. If you want to round out your experience of impressionist paintings, you could start the day at the Musée de l’Orangerie, which Monet himself designed (should take no more than one hour), then walk across to the Musée d’Orsay.
Second, while the Louvre is of course the world’s most famous museum, the Musée d’Orsay has a very curated collection of very pretty things. The building itself is arguably more elegant, and if you’re trying to immerse yourself in Parisian culture, this is the place to do it.
There is of course a place for mega museums like the Louvre and the Vatican Museum, but Near Eastern Antiquities isn’t exactly going to fire you up for steak frites and a glass of Bordeaux at lunch. Also, the Louvre’s most famous attraction, the Mona Lisa, has become a nuisance. Enough ink (and cake) has been spilled online about why it’s overrated, so we won’t get into that here. Suffice to say we aren’t eager to stand in line to see a tiny and underwhelming painting. We’re not saying don’t go to the Louvre – we are saying that if you have to choose between the two, the Musée d’Orsay will be a more pleasant experience.
Finally, the location. The Musée d’Orsay is situated on the left bank of the Seine, in a lovely neighborhood. It’s a bit more residential and much less crowded, so you can walk to any of our favorite restaurants in the chic Saint-Germain neighborhood after your visit and get a break from the crowds that surround the Louvre.
You can attend these museums for free on the first Sunday of every month, but you will still need a reservation as of 2 October 2022. Purchasing a paid ticket ahead of time will give you priority access, and a reservation time, so there’s less waiting in line. We’d highly recommend this, especially during the peak season.
Get more detailed recommendations in the Paris Black Book.
Purchase tickets to Musée d’Orsay here.
Musée d’Orsay, 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France, Closed on Mondays
Purchase tickets to Musée de l’Orangerie here.
Musée de l’Orangerie, Jardin Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France, Closed on Tuesdays