Exhibition "Jenny Holzer — I Saw" Musée d'Orsay, from October 20, 2026, to February 21, 2027

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From October 20, 2026, to February 21, 2027, the Musée d’Orsay hosts Jenny Holzer with "J’ai vu" (I Saw). The artist transforms the museum’s spaces using light-based texts, projections, works on metal, and stone sculptures. It is a contemporary experience that fosters a dialogue between archives, history, architecture, and the d’Orsay collections.

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€17.50

Exhibition

Admission to permanent collections and exhibitions

Contemporary exhibition by Jenny Holzer
October 20, 2026 – February 21, 2027
Light-based texts and LED installations
Monumental projections on the façade
Stone sculptures and works on metal
Dialogue between contemporary art and the Musée d’Orsay collections
Musée d’Orsay, Level 2
Late-night opening on Thursdays until 9:45 PM

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What to expect

From October 20, 2026, to February 21, 2027, the Musée d’Orsay hosts "Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu" (I Saw), a contemporary exhibition conceived specifically to engage in a dialogue with the architecture, collections, and history of this iconic Parisian landmark. Through light, words, projections, installations, and various materials, Jenny Holzer offers an artistic experience that invites visitors to view the museum’s spaces in a new light.

Known for placing language and ideas at the heart of her creative practice, the American artist here takes over a monument steeped in history. Her project goes beyond a mere succession of artworks displayed in galleries; it extends across various areas of the Musée d’Orsay and even onto its façade facing the Seine. The visit thus becomes an encounter between contemporary art, heritage, and memory.

Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu at the Musée d’Orsay

An exhibition conceived for the Musée d’Orsay

"J’ai vu" was developed in collaboration with the Musée d’Orsay for the autumn of 2026 and forms part of the program celebrating the museum’s 40th anniversary. The exhibition combines contemporary creations with elements drawn from the historical context of the Orsay collections.

Jenny Holzer is particularly interested in the power of words. For this project, she draws upon texts held in the museum’s collections and archives, as well as writings linked to the historical period represented by its holdings. Artists’ letters, literary texts, and political writings are transformed into artistic material, taking on new forms through light and installations.

This approach allows the texts to be experienced from a different perspective. They are no longer simply read on a page; instead, they appear within the space, guiding the viewer's gaze and engaging in a dialogue with the museum’s monumental architecture.

The Musée d’Orsay: An Exceptional Setting

Housed in the former Orsay railway station, the museum boasts a highly distinctive architectural style. The building itself is an integral part of the experience created by Jenny Holzer.

The artist draws inspiration from the transformation of this 19th-century station into an art museum. Her interior light installation echoes this history and the flow of visitors through the building.

Visiting "J’ai vu" (I Saw) therefore offers a chance to see the Musée d’Orsay from a new perspective. Familiar museum spaces become the canvas for a contemporary work that plays with volume, movement, perspective, and light.

The exhibition is located on Level 2, in rooms 55 through 59. It is part of a visitor trail where contemporary art engages in a dialogue with the museum’s permanent collections.

Light Projections on the Façade

One of the project’s most striking highlights takes place outside the museum. Several evenings of light projections are scheduled around the exhibition’s opening in October 2026.

The historic façade facing the Seine will serve as a canvas for the artwork. Text fragments selected by Jenny Holzer will be projected onto the building, temporarily transforming its appearance.

The texts include excerpts from artists' letters held in the museum’s archives, as well as literary and political writings from the era in question.

Specific dates for these outdoor projections are yet to be announced. Visitors should distinguish these special evenings from the exhibition’s overall run, which extends from October 20, 2026, to February 21, 2027.

A Spectacular LED Installation

Inside, visitors encounter an LED installation created specifically for the site. Streams of colored text flow through the space, offering a visual experience distinct from that of a traditional exhibition.

The work engages directly with the building’s history. The movement of the text echoes the original function of the Orsay railway station and the flow of people who once traversed the space.

The installation also establishes a dialogue with works from the museum’s collections. Light and words thus become part of an environment historically associated with painting and the major artistic movements of the 19th century.

A dialogue with the permanent collections

The exhibition does not operate in isolation from the Musée d’Orsay’s artistic heritage. The LED installation complements a selection of works displayed in the domed galleries, which are dedicated to genres such as history painting, naturalism, and symbolism.

Jenny Holzer also presents paintings created using gold, platinum, and palladium leaf. These works play with concepts of visibility, erasure, and concealment.

Natural light from the Seine also shapes the perception of some of these creations; their appearance can shift throughout the day in response to changing light conditions.

This interplay between natural light, materials, and architecture lends a dynamic quality to the visit. A single work may be perceived differently depending on when one chooses to view the exhibition.

Stone benches designed for the project

The exhibition route also features stone benches created specifically for the occasion. These sculptures were conceived in dialogue with the museum’s architecture and permanent collections.

Several of these benches bear texts relating to the 1848–1914 period, which is extensively represented in the Musée d’Orsay’s collections. They are installed in various areas on the ground floor and within the galleries.

Their distinctive hues reference the variety of stone used in the museum’s sculptures and pedestals, echoing the original architectural design by Gae Aulenti.

These elements demonstrate that the exhibition is not limited to artworks hung on walls; sculptural furniture, circulation spaces, façades, and architectural volumes all play a part in the experience.

Why book a ticket?

The run of "Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu" is limited: the exhibition is open from October 20, 2026, to February 21, 2027. For those wishing to plan ahead, booking a ticket makes it easier to schedule a visit to the exhibition during this period.

Booking is particularly convenient when planning an outing to Paris, a family cultural visit, a day dedicated to museums, or a group activity. It also allows visitors to take into account the Musée d’Orsay’s various opening times.

The exhibition also has a unique feature: certain outdoor light projections are tied to the opening period, and their specific dates have yet to be announced. Visitors interested in this aspect can therefore keep an eye on updates to plan their visit at the right time.

Visiting Hours

The Musée d’Orsay welcomes visitors during the following hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am to 9:45 pm
Friday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

Thursdays offer the longest opening hours, with closing time at 9:45 pm. This late-night opening is a great option for visitors wishing to plan their visit for the evening.

Exhibition Admission Prices

Several ticket categories are available for this exhibition. The standard timed-entry ticket is €16, while the reduced-rate timed-entry ticket is €13.

The "Enfant & Cie" (Child & Co.) rate is also €13, while the evening rate is €12.

Admission is free for visitors under 18 and for visitors under 26 residing in the European Economic Area, subject to applicable conditions.

These various options allow the visit to be tailored to the visitor's profile and the chosen time slot.

An experience bridging the past and contemporary creation

One of the key highlights of "J’ai vu" is the encounter between different eras. The Musée d’Orsay is strongly associated with works from the 19th and early 20th centuries, whereas Jenny Holzer brings a contemporary artistic approach centered on words, ideas, and light.

This encounter adds a new dimension to the museum's spaces. Archives, letters, historical texts, and works from the collection are reinterpreted through contemporary installations.

The project also establishes a dialogue between France and the United States—two cultures that play a significant role in the exhibition's history and in Jenny Holzer’s artistic journey.

A cultural outing to discover in Paris

"Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu" (I Saw) is designed for visitors seeking an artistic experience that goes beyond the traditional exhibition format. Light installations, projected texts, metalworks, and stone sculptures create a journey that fully leverages the exceptional character of the Musée d’Orsay.

The visit also offers the chance to enjoy an iconic Parisian setting along the Seine while discovering contemporary work created specifically for this environment.

Whether for a cultural outing, an artistic discovery, or a visit to Paris, this exhibition offers an opportunity to see the Musée d’Orsay from a new perspective. The blend of heritage, architecture, archives, light, and contemporary art makes "J’ai vu" an experience deeply connected to its host venue.

Key practical information

Exhibition: Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu
Venue: Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Dates: October 20, 2026 – February 21, 2027
Level: 2
Galleries: 55 to 59
Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 9:45 PM
Full-price timed ticket: €16
Reduced-price timed ticket: €13
Child & Co.: €13
Late-night opening: €12
Under 18s: Free
Under 26s (EEA residents): Free
Accessibility: Facilities available for visitors with reduced mobility, those with walking difficulties, and accompanying persons.

Booking a ticket for Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu means selecting a date to experience a contemporary project that temporarily transforms several spaces within the Musée d’Orsay. Combining luminous text, projections, sculptures, and precious materials with a dialogue with the museum's collections, the exhibition offers a unique way to explore one of Paris’s most iconic cultural landmarks.

Schedule

Available every day except on Monday
Schedule: 9:30 am

Plan your group visit

Are you organizing an event for a group of more than 10 people?

Looking for a unique cultural experience in Paris? Bring your group together for the Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay. Fill out the form to plan your visit and enjoy a brilliant, surprising artistic journey together.

Feel free to contact us at +33-1-48-74-05-10 for any requests.

Common questions

What is Jenny Holzer presenting in this exhibition?

The artist presents a body of work combining text, light, and materials, including an LED installation, projections, works on metal leaf, and engraved stone benches.

What is the connection between the exhibition and the Musée d’Orsay’s collections?

The project draws on texts from the museum’s archives and collections, among other sources, and resonates with works representing various artistic movements from the 1848–1914 period.

Why does the Musée d’Orsay’s architecture play a role in the project?

The exhibition takes into account the building’s unique history as a former railway station. Certain installations are designed to engage directly with its volumes, spaces, and architectural identity.

What types of texts does Jenny Holzer use?

The project incorporates excerpts from the museum’s archives—including artists’ letters—as well as various literary and political texts associated with the historical period in question.

Does the exhibition include works made with special materials?

Yes. Some pieces utilize gold, platinum, and palladium leaf. Stone benches created specifically for the project are also part of the exhibition.

Is the exhibition accessible to people with reduced mobility?

Yes. The Musée d’Orsay provides facilities for people with reduced mobility, particularly for visitors accompanied by a carer and those with walking difficulties.

What makes "Jenny Holzer — J’ai vu" worth seeing?

This exhibition brings together contemporary art, text, history, and heritage. Jenny Holzer’s installations offer a fresh perspective on the Musée d’Orsay’s spaces while establishing a dialogue with its collections and archives.