Is the Musée Gustave Moreau worth a visit?

My opinion: yes, without reservation for those who enjoy artists’ homes, 19th-century painting, or quiet places. An hour and a half, a modest ticket, two studios preserved as they were in 1895, a spiral staircase, nearly 14,000 works. Avoid if you dislike stairs, are looking for a café, or expect explanations for every painting.

What works

One of the least visited museums in Paris: around 40,000 visitors per year
A house left exactly as the painter arranged it, including studios and living quarters
The drawing cabinets you leaf through yourself, unique in Paris
Modest admission fee, free on the first Sunday of the month, included in the Paris Museum Pass
Closed on Tuesdays, so open on Mondays when the Musée d’Orsay is closed

Things to know

Staircases everywhere, no lift to the studios
Few labels: best to read up before coming
No café or restaurant
Dense, sometimes unfinished painting that does not appeal to everyone

I take someone there at least once a month, and I have never seen anyone leave indifferent. People either love or hate Moreau, but everyone loves the house: climbing the wrought-iron staircase, opening the drawing cabinets, finding yourself alone in front of Jupiter and Semele. After the Louvre and its millions of visitors, it is a relief.

For whom, then? For painting lovers who already know the Musée d’Orsay. For those who prefer artists’ houses to large galleries. For families with children over six, because of the monsters and unicorns. For a Monday, when everything else is closed. For whom not? For a first trip to Paris with three days, when the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Palais Garnier take priority. For those with mobility difficulties. For those who want an audio guide.

The best way to visit is to combine it. In the morning here, then a guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay where his major works are, or the Palais Garnier ten minutes’ walk away. The complete guide details the three combinations.

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Frequently asked questions

Is the Musée Gustave Moreau crowded?

No. Around 40,000 visitors per year, with no time slots or queues. Saturday afternoons and the first Sunday of the month are slightly busier. The best times are listed on the opening hours page.

Is this a good museum for a first visit to Paris?

Not as a priority. For a short stay, Orsay, the Louvre, and Garnier come first. The Moreau is the museum for a second visit, or for a Monday. See the visits we compare to plan your day.

How much time should I allow?

One hour to an hour and a half, two hours if you open the drawing cabinets. The floor-by-floor details are on the How long does the visit last? page.