Musée d'Orsay: Worth Visiting?

The Musée d'Orsay is worth it if you like Impressionism and late 19th-century art. Expect a stunning converted train station filled with works by Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, and others. The building itself is the star: high ceilings, natural light, and giant clocks. Crowds are heavy around the big names on the ground floor; upper levels with sculpture and decorative arts are calmer. Plan on 2-3 hours if you want to see the highlights without rushing. It's manageable in size compared to the Louvre, so you won't feel completely wrecked afterward.

Best time is early morning (opens around 9:30) on a weekday, especially Tuesday through Thursday. Avoid weekends and late afternoons when tour groups pile in. Spring and fall offer the sweetest combination of decent weather and slightly thinner crowds; summer is busy but the long daylight hours let you visit early or late. Expect to pay around €25-45 per person depending on whether you grab a basic ticket or one with skip-the-line access and an audio guide.

Honest tip: Get the skip-the-line option if your time is limited; the regular queue can easily eat 45-60 minutes in peak season. Focus on the Impressionist galleries and the top-floor temporary exhibitions; skip most of the decorative arts wings unless you have a particular interest. Audio guides are decent but not life-changing; many people prefer just wandering with the free map.