The Impressionist gallery
Monet, Renoir, Degas and Pissarro under the glass-roof light — the highest density of masterpieces on any single museum floor anywhere.
Sanchezn — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Cheng-en Cheng from Taichung City, Taiwan — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Benh — CC BY 2.5 · DXR — CC BY-SA 3.0
Few museums have a building that rivals their collection; Orsay is one of them. A 1900 railway station with a vast glass vault and two gilded clocks, saved from demolition to house French art from 1848 to 1914 — which is to say, quite simply, the greatest Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collection on earth. Monet, Renoir, Degas and Cézanne line the top floor under the light of the glass roof, and in the Van Gogh rooms people stand before "Starry Night Over the Rhône" and the self-portrait in a strange, collective hush. Between floors, the great hall itself keeps surprising you: the old station concourse with its sculptures stretching beneath the vaulted ceiling — the most beautiful museum hall in Europe, no contest. The shot nobody misses: Paris seen from behind the giant glass clock on the fifth floor, where Concorde and Sacré-Cœur turn to silhouettes behind the numerals. Book ahead, and avoid Tuesdays — the Louvre closes and everyone floods here instead.
Monet, Renoir, Degas and Pissarro under the glass-roof light — the highest density of masterpieces on any single museum floor anywhere.
The self-portrait, the Bedroom at Arles, Starry Night Over the Rhône — Paris museums' rare moments of collective silence happen here.
From the fifth floor, look at Paris through the numerals of the station's glass clock — the most famous window in the museum world.
The old station concourse with its vaulted roof and sculpture line — stop in the middle and look up; the building itself is exhibit number one.
Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris
Tuileries GardenThe Tuileries is the green line connecting the Louvre to Place de la Concorde, a5 minutes walk4.5
Musée de l'OrangerieIn the western corner of the Tuileries, inside a former royal orange-house, wait7 minutes walk4.5
Musée MaillolA private museum in Saint-Germain, built around the work of the French sculptor 7 minutes walk4.6
Musée des Arts DécoratifsIn the western wing of the Louvre palace itself — but with its own entrance, its8 minutes walk4.6
Louvre MuseumThe Louvre is not just a museum; it is a former royal palace holding the greates9 minutes walk4.8Looking for halal food near Musée d'Orsay? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
New JawadHalalNew Jawad is an Indo-Pakistani restaurant on Avenue Rapp, a short walk from the 23 minutes walk · $$$4.4
Ministry of SpiceHalalModern halal Indian cooking, the sit-down option for an unhurried dinner. About 19 minutes walk · $$$
Berkeley GardenHalalHalal Indian cooking that suits families and group dinners, about eight minutes'22 minutes walk · $$$
Chez le LibanaisHalalA small counter on Rue Saint-André des Arts, one of the busiest pedestrian stree17 minutes walk · $4.5Al AjamiHalalAl Ajami is a name that goes back to Beirut in 1920, and the Paris branch is an 22 minutes walk · $$$3.8Paris's eternal question. If you love the Impressionists and Van Gogh, Orsay is more enjoyable and far less exhausting; the Louvre is grander in scope and history. With two days: Orsay first, then a focused Louvre route.
Two hours for a focused route (fifth floor + Van Gogh), three to four for a comfortable tour including sculpture, decorative arts and the café behind the clock.
Yes, without flash, in the permanent collection — and behind the clock is the most famous silhouette shot in Paris. Some temporary exhibitions prohibit it.