This building housing Musee d’Orsay in Paris has been repurposed several times. It was formerly Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built in 1898 – 1900 and was used until 1939 as the terminus for the railways. It contained a luxury hotel, and when you see the central heart of the structure, its former life becomes very apparent. What a great property it is. The old clocks, the concave roof with skylights, it’s just as much Art as what resides within its walls.
In 1939 part of it was used as a mailing centre during WW2 and then used by a Theatre Company and for auctioneers. Plus it was a set for several films, until finally becoming a museum opening in 1986 exhibiting French Art dating 1848 to 1914.
slide show
This was the first site we visited on our trip to Paris. With our Museum Pass in hand, we checked our coats into the cloakroom and headed out to see some Monet and Van Gogh paintings. A grand reception room greeted us first and what a reception it was.
Continuing, we headed up a flight of stairs to the next level, where Monet works were on display. Andrea became all giddy as she laid eyes upon her favourite painting “Water Lily Pond” ( Monet is her favourite artist).
Then again, when she came across Renoir’s “City Dance and Country Dance”. I believe it’s the colours that draw her in. There were more instances like that later on, when we visited The Louvre.
monet & renoir slide show
Another famous painting – the self-portrait of Van Gough.
There is a great deal more to see in here than you would first think with a few hidden gems. We are not art fanatics, but we do fancy certain things. In this case, I came across some art that took to me, by Daumier. It is different in a way, part fantasy mixed with cartoony yet also realistic and I liked it. Also, a few by Millet I thought had a very “draw you into a certain emotion” type art, which I enjoyed.
Unfortunately, our photos don’t do these fabulous pieces of art justice. With so many people using flashes and the overhead lights, we found it impossible not to get glare especially seeing as we are not professional photographers!
slide show
MINIaTURES OF PARIS AND THE opera house
At the back of the museum is a section dedicated to some impressive miniatures. You can walk on sheets of glass that hover slightly above the mini Parisian streets and admire the detail in each piece.
Next is a cut-out scale model of ‘Palais Garnier’ or ‘Opera Garnier’ where Phantom of the Opera was based. The details in every piece are astounding though the Opera house was indeed our favourite, because of the multi-levels and paintwork that made this beautiful miniature larger than life for us.
in miniature slide show
I think we can both honestly say that as museums go, Musee d’Orsay, Paris is our favourite. The building itself is one to admire. It’s not so big you get turned around or overwhelmed, and there is enough diversity in the artworks that keep your attention.
in a nutshell
- Address: 1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur, Paris
- On the Left Bank of the River Seine
- Metro, either station Solferino on Line 12 or the station Musee d’Orsay on the RER C. It is also very central, just across from the Louvre if you would like to walk.
- Entrance cost €14 (free with Museum Pass and Paris Pass)
- Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 6 pm closed Monday
- Open until 9:45 pm on Thursdays
- Free admission for everyone the first Sunday of every month
location map of Musee d’orsay, paris
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