The Musée d'Orsay is Officially the Best Museum in the World
Paris has a wealth of cultural offerings and world-class museums, but now, its standing as a leader in the field has been made official as this year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards ranks the Musée d’Orsay as the best museum in the world.
The Musée d’Orsay has been named the best museum in the world
The Musée d’Orsay is world-renowned for its stunning collection of art and striking Beaux-Arts architecture. It is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring museums and now, it has won the title of top museum in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2018.
In second and third place came New York’s 9/11 Memorial Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, respectively, while the UK’s top winner, the British Museum, followed behind in fourth place.
In many ways, the victory for Paris comes as little surprise, as the city has long captivated peoples’ imaginations as the most artistic capital in Europe. Based on real travellers’ opinions and experiences, the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards add weight to this claim.
Award winners were determined using an algorithm that took into account the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for museums worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period, and the Musée d’Orsay came out on top.
Why the Musée d’Orsay triumphed over the Louvre Museum
If a museum in Paris was going to win first place, many people expected the Louvre to top the tables – though it only came in seventh.
The Louvre is not only the most visited art museum in the world, but also the largest. It would take you at least 100 days to visit all the artworks – and that’s only if you spend 30 seconds looking at each piece.
However, the Musée d’Orsay triumphed over the Louvre to become travellers’ all-around favourite for several reasons. Mainly, it comes down to its unique architectural and artistic heritage – the Musée d’Orsay boasts a certain charm that can’t be rivalled.
The Musée d’Orsay is entwined with an unusual architectural past
The history of the Musee d’Orsay is quite unusual. Nestled on the Left Bank of the River Seine in Paris, the museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station constructed between 1898 and 1900. In 1986, it was converted into the museum which is so well-loved today.
A series of curious relics still remain, gesturing to this forgotten legacy. For example, the Musée d’Orsay Clock in the main hall, designed by Victor Laloux in 1900, has become an iconic symbol of the museum’s rail-inspired past – no visit to the museum is complete without a photo by the famous clock.
There’s also the gorgeous chandeliers and gold-dappled decorations, which are especially lavish in the luxurious Musée d’Orsay restaurant. Because of these quirks, the building itself is considered a ‘work of art’ in its own right, before you even get a chance to marvel at the masterpieces within.
The Musée d’Orsay houses the largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces
The main reason why the Musée d’Orsay has won the title of top museum in the world comes down to the rare Impressionist treasures it has acquired. There are around 2,000 paintings and 600 sculptures and other artworks on show, but it’s not just quantity that counts.
The museum is special because it houses the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world. You can peruse beautiful landscapes by the likes of Monet, Manet, Seurat and Sisley to name just a few. There are also unique pieces by Degas, Renoir, Gauguin, Martin and Cézanne on show.
The crowning glory of the collection is the Van Gogh works. The story of Van Gogh, the tortured soul, has seduced tourists for years and the impressive collection of his works on offer at this museum is partly why art lovers flock here in droves.
There are 25 Van Gogh works on display, including world-favourites like Starry Night Over the Rhône (1888), Vincent’s Bedroom in Arles (1889), Self-Portrait (1889) and The Church at Auvers (1890).
Explore the Musée d’Orsay with a guide
The best way to discover what the Musée d’Orsay has to offer is to enjoy a guided tour, which can be booked directly with the museum. There are plenty of tours offered in English and each one is rich in expert reflection. However, if you’re a little short on cash, then you can easily download a free walking tour in advance.
You can also download an intimate audio walking tour of the Musée d’Orsay by travel writer Rick Steves for free via iTunes or via his website. His fabulous series of cultural podcasts explore the rich artistic heritage of Paris.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
