Musée d'Orsay

Paris, France

The Musée d'Orsay was built between 1898 and 1900. The museum holds mainly French art dating from 1848 to 1915, including paintings, sculptures, furniture, and photography. It houses the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces in the world, by painters including Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gauguin and Van Gogh. Many of these works were held at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume prior to the museum's opening in 1986.

The museum building was originally a railway station, Gare d'Orsay, constructed for the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans and finished in time for the 1900 Exposition Universelle to the design of three architects: Lucien Magne, Émile Bénard and Victor Laloux. It was the terminus for the railways of southwestern France until 1939.

By 1939 the station's short platforms had become unsuitable for the longer trains that had come to be used for mainline services. After 1939 it was used for suburban services and part of it became a mailing centre during World War II. It was then used as a set for several films, such as Kafka's The Trial adapted by Orson Welles, and as a haven for the Renaud–Barrault Theatre Company and for auctioneers, while the Hôtel Drouot was being rebuilt.

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Address

Rue de Lille 62, Paris, France
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Details

Founded: 1898-1900
Category: Museums in France

More Information

www.musee-orsay.fr

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ivan Perez (2 years ago)
For panting and sculpture vieweing, the spaces and lights are great. The collections, are incredible. There's a coffee inside (great for a brief rest), but there are times that a line of people is formed to get a table. There is a restaurant either, but we didn't go there. The bat thing is that in the most famous paintings, the casual photographers doesn't leave much chances to close observers (and the details are great to watch). VERY IMPORTANT: if possible, book attendance with weeks of anticipation to avoid being sold out at your visit
Jeremy (2 years ago)
A fantastic museum pretty close to the Louvre. We got in for free at 5 as they close at 5:50 which was great as we didn't know this was the case. There is quite a lot to see here and it is beautiful. Really great looking building.
Emmanouil Mavroeidis (2 years ago)
Amazing museum. All the paintings was exposed with such an amazing way that was very easy to understand the emotional situation that the artist wanted to show. Do not hesitate to take audio guide.If you do not take you will miss some very important information for the artist. Also there are some very unique collections that unfortunately are only for a few days per year.
David Murguia (2 years ago)
Really liked this museum. Recommend starting fr the top and going down. The best pieces were up top. It was an Impressionism filled exhibit. Really thoughtful pieces important in the context of french history and art. The cafes were cute as well. We stopped at the one on the second floor since the one on the fifth floor seemed super packed. Recommend getting museum pass for it.
Andreas Mavrikios (2 years ago)
Exploring Musée d'Orsay on the first Sunday of the month was a fantastic decision. Not only did we get to experience the museum's world-class collection, but the added bonus of free entrance made the visit even more memorable. The usual entry fee being waived on this day is a thoughtful gesture that allows art enthusiasts and curious minds alike to immerse themselves in the museum's offerings. From the moment we stepped into the grandeur of the building, we were captivated by the architectural beauty that seamlessly blends history with art. The natural light filtering through the iconic clock windows added a touch of enchantment to the entire experience. The layout of the museum is well-planned, allowing us to navigate through the different sections with ease. The vast array of artworks, especially the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces, left us in awe. Standing face-to-face with iconic paintings and sculptures that we had only seen in books was an exhilarating feeling. The informative plaques beside each exhibit provided valuable insights into the artist's life and creative process, enhancing our understanding and appreciation. The staff at Musée d'Orsay deserves special mention for their warmth and knowledge. They were more than happy to answer our questions and engage in discussions about the art pieces, making the visit even more enriching. Visiting the Musée d'Orsay on the first Sunday of the month was not only a smart way to save on entrance fees but also an opportunity to connect with art and history on a deeper level. This initiative reflects the museum's commitment to making art accessible to all, and we left with a renewed sense of appreciation for the artistic wonders housed within its walls.
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