Renoir: two exceptional exhibitions at the Musée d’Orsay in March 2025

The Musée d’Orsay is hosting a major exhibition devoted to Renoir, one of the masters of French Impressionism. This artistic event runs until June 8, 2025, and is already attracting enthusiastic visitors. Here’s what you need to know before planning your visit.

A never-before-seen retrospective on the Impressionist master

This exhibition brings together more than 150 works from collections around the world. Visitors can admire famous paintings alongside drawings rarely shown to the public. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the artist’s stylistic evolution over the decades.

The Musée d’Orsay has chosen to highlight the diversity of techniques used by the painter. The exhibition also shows how he revolutionized the representation of light. Vibrant colors and scenes of Parisian life take center stage.

The curators have worked for several years to bring these masterpieces together. As a result, some paintings are leaving their museums of origin for the first time. This is a rare opportunity for Impressionist art lovers.

“Renoir captures joie de vivre like no one before him, with a luminous palette and a tender eye for his models.”

The major themes of the exhibition

The exhibition is organized around several key themes. These include female portraits, leisure scenes and sun-drenched landscapes. Each room invites you to discover a different facet of his talent.

The female nudes are a particularly remarkable feature of this retrospective. Indeed, the painter devoted a large part of his career to this subject. His models seem to come alive before our eyes, thanks to his subtle work on skin tones.

• Over 150 works presented to the public
• Exceptional loans from international collections
• A focus on drawing and painting techniques
• A scenography designed for families
• Audioguides available in several languages

Practical information for your visit to the Musée d’Orsay

The Renoir exhibition takes place in the temporary galleries of the Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Opening hours remain classic, from Tuesday to Sunday, 9.30am to 6pm. However, on Thursdays, the museum remains open until 9:45pm for nocturnes.

Online booking is highly recommended, especially at weekends. Weekday mornings, on the other hand, offer a quieter experience. So remember to arrive early to enjoy the rooms without too many people.

The full price is 16 euros for access to the permanent collections and the temporary exhibition. Admission for under-26s is free under certain conditions. In addition, the first Sunday of the month remains free for all.

The museum offers special guided tours to give you a better understanding of the works on display. These guided tours last around an hour and a half. They show the links between the painter’s different creative periods.

Why this exhibition is so memorable

This retrospective offers a complete overview of Renoir’s career, from the early days to his final years. The public can see how his style evolved in the face of the criticism of his time. Today, art historians are unanimous about his work.

Families appreciate the clarity of the tour and the accessible explanations. Children discover Impressionist painting thanks to fun booklets. It’s a valuable cultural experience for all ages.

A date not to be missed before June 8

The exhibition has been an undeniable success since it opened in March 2025. Visitors flock every day to admire these iconic canvases. However, slots are still available for those who book in advance.

The Musée d’Orsay confirms its role as guardian of the Impressionist heritage with this event. This Parisian institution continues to attract art lovers from all over the world. The tribute to the painter meets the expectations of connoisseurs and neophytes alike.

Before closing time, several lectures and workshops complete the program. These activities allow visitors to deepen their knowledge of the artist and his period. The museum store also offers high-quality catalogs and reproductions.

• Renoir