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French Excellence – Musée d’Orsay

Since 2010, the French Excellence series has brought together the expertise of Monnaie de Paris with that of leading fashion houses and cultural institutions. In 2026, to mark the 40th anniversary of its opening, the Musée d’Orsay takes centre stage. This collection celebrates this iconic venue and gives rise to exceptional creations, complemented by a reissue of the 1986 medal designed in collaboration with Gae Aulenti.

The Musée d’Orsay is a place deeply rooted in my history: I witnessed the transformation of this railway station into a museum, whose atmosphere, blend of styles and power continue to inspire me. For the coins in this collection, I wanted to express this attachment by bringing together the Polar Bear and other characters from the museum’s artworks in a vibrant, contemporary composition. On the reverse, I have depicted the coffered ceiling of the nave, framed within a structure that is both solid and delicate, true to the spirit of the place. These coffers bear witness to its evolution: from a railway station, where time is so important, to a museum, where it is important to spend time; culture becomes a true journey.

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Excellence à la Française - Musée d'Orsay

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Emblematic coins

The design of the coins draws inspiration from the museum’s architecture and masterpieces. On the obverse, iconic figures seem to come to life beneath the glass roof: François Pompon’s bear, Vincent van Gogh’s self-portrait, and works by Édouard Manet, Claude Monet and Edgar Degas. The whole scene is set against the backdrop of the grand clock. On the reverse, the design highlights the iconic architecture of the former Orsay railway station: the coffered ceiling of the nave, decorated with rosettes, is set within a metal structure punctuated by rivets, faithful to the site’s original industrial aesthetic, which has remained unchanged since its creation. The collection is rounded off by a reissue of the medal designed by Gae Aulenti for the museum’s inauguration in 1986.

All the collection

The medal

Silver coins

Gold coins

Discover the 1-kilo gold coin

As the flagship piece of the ‘French Excellence’ collection, the one-kilo gold coin is bound to be stunning. This year, this exceptional coin, worth 5,000 euros, depicts several characters from iconic works interacting beneath the nave’s glass roof, as if they had come to life and were exploring the museum together.