Highlights in a Hurry at Musée d'Orsay
See Best of Monet, Renoir, Degas at Paris Museum in 3 hours or less
May 8, 2009
There is so much to see and do in Paris, trying to get everything in is a daunting task given the time constraints faced by most travelers. However, visitors should not miss the Musée d'Orsay simply because they only have two or three hours to work with.
The Musée d'Orsay opened in 1986 and is located in the former Orsay rail station. The museum brings in over three million visitors per year and is one of the best places in the world to see works in impressionist, post-impressionist and turn-of-the-century art.
The quickest way to get into the museum is to purchase an express pass that allows one to use an express entrance while bypassing the ticket lines. Time saved on the front end allows more time for viewing paintings and sculptures.
Once in the museum, pick-up the map that guides visitors to the different salons and artists that are the “must sees.” While on the main floor, enjoy stepping down the stairwell to see the famous clock that formerly indicated when trains would be arriving.
After taking in the view in the main hall, head straight up to the fifth floor and start moving through the Salle/Halls. Start with Salle 47 next to the escalator on the way up.
Fifth Floor Halls
Salle 47
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
- Le lit
- Rousse
Salle 44
Paul Gauguin
- Et l'or de leur corps
- Arearea
Salle 41
Paul Cézanne
- La maison du docteur Gachet à Auvers
Pierre Auguste Renoir
- Portrait dit de Margot
Salle 39
Pierre Auguste Renoir
- Les baigneuses
- Danse à la ville
- Madame Josse Bernheim-Jeune et son fils Henry
Salle 36
Paul Cézanne
- Nature morte aux oignons
- Nature morte à la bouilloire
Salle 35
Van Gogh, Vincent
- Portrait de l'artiste
- La méridienne
Salle 34
Monet, Claude
- La cathédrale de Rouen. Le portail et la tour Saint-Romain, effet du matin
- Meules, fin de l'été
Salle 32
Pierre Auguste Renoir
- Madame Darras
- Etude. Torse, effet de soleil
- La balançoire
Monet, Claude
- La gare Saint-Lazare
- Les déchargeurs de charbon
Salle 31
Edgar Degas
- Répétition d'un ballet sur la scène
- Petite danseuse de 14 ans
Edouard Manet
- La dame aux éventails
- La lecture
Salle30
Berthe Morisot
- Le berceau
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
- Arrangement en gris et noir n°1
Gustave Caillebotte
- Raboteurs de parquet
Of course, everyone would love to stay and see all of the exhibitions at the Orsay, but this is not always possible given all there is to do and see in Paris. Nevertheless, seeing the 10 aforementioned salles can give a visitor a good sense of why the Musée d'Orsay is not to be missed.
Contact Information and Hours
Musée d'Orsay
62, rue de Lille
75343 Paris Cedex 07
Information
+33 (0)1 40 49 48 14
Museum Hours
9:30AM to 6:00PM
9:30AM to 9:45PM on Thursdays
Closed on Mondays
Having a time limit does not mean one should miss the opportunity to look at some of the world’s greatest artistic masterpieces. Just don’t forget to save a few minutes for the gift shop.
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