The interior of the Musée d'Orsay was designed by the Italian architect and interior designer Gaetana "Gaia" Aulenti. Her work was recognized by the French president at the time, François Mitterrand, who made her a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (National Order of the Legion of Honour).

The former station building was converted into a museum between 1980 and 1986. On December 1, 1986, the museum was officially inaugurated by the President and opened to the public eight days later (more than twenty thousand people visited on the first day).