Musee d'Orsay Reviews (Paris, France)

Go Clockwise

Ames, Iowa

March 4, 2012

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Musee d'Orsay was the first place we toured in Paris and frankly I wasn't prepared for the immensity of the collection. Stumbling over the French signage, I led my friend in a counter-clockwise tour. I don't regret seeing any of the displays we did ...Read more

From journal Three Friends Tour Paris

D´Orsay

by Judibo

Rockville, Maryland

January 4, 2012

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Particularly, I was more interested by this than by the Louvre museum. This has a modern architecture in its interior, and well lit. The D'Orsay is also visible during the boat trip on the Seine River, having a beautiful facade with a central clock ...Read more

From journal Paris!

Musee d'Orsay

by aladams39

Nashville, Tennessee

March 10, 2011

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The Musee d'Orsay is a must-see if you are visiting Paris. I recommend having the museum pass as you don't have to wait in the potentially long line. Allow yourself a good 3-4 hours if you want to really see all the Orsay has to offer. Inside you'll ...Read more

d'Orsay

by Zhebiton

Moscow, Moskva, Russia

February 11, 2011

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Starting from the XVI century, in Paris along the Seine River located the most beautiful facades, the most majestic buildings, such as the Palace of Justice, the Louvre and the Tuileries palace, the palace of the Academy of Sciences. At the site of ...Read more Starting from the XVI century, in Paris along the Seine River located the most beautiful facades, the most majestic buildings, such as the Palace of Justice, the Louvre and the Tuileries palace, the palace of the Academy of Sciences. At the site of a modern museum d'Orsay in the early XVII century, the estate Marguerite of Navarre, the famous Queen Margot. Then here in turn constructed barracks Musketeers first, then the various mansions of the aristocrats. In 1810 on the orders of Napoleon, there was built a new Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Finally passed the Chamber and the State Council in 1871, during the Commune, the palace was burnt. For over 25 years, there was a vacant lot to the ruins of the former palace.

Finally, the railway company, the Paris-Orleans managed to acquire this land, who served as a prestigious place for the construction of the station. Realizing that such a building utilitarian purpose, as the station will be beautiful banks of the Seine, the company decides to hold a competition to design the new station. As a result, the project has been selected Victor Laloux. His first project was pleasant in December 1897, and then improved and completed in the next year.

Since 1939 the station was abandoned and suffered a long period of decline that threatens his demolition in 1971. Luckily, this did not happen, and while the Georges Pompidou's presidency had the idea to convert the station into a museum. In 1978, the construction given the status of historical monument. Successor, Pompidou, Giscard d'Estaing began the process of reconstruction of the station and converting it into a museum of the XIX century, intended to be transitional between the Louvre and the State Museum of Contemporary Art. Streak for works received the agency AST (AP Kolbok, R. Bardon, J.-F. Philippon). Based on the concept of the project the agency was: "Make no museum in the station, and the Museum of the station." In order to use a large vaulted hall 138 m long, guided tour of the museum was organized in accordance with the horizontal axis of the museum. In 1980, Italian architect Gai Aulenti was assigned to the complex interior. She set up the exhibition space in the central part of the large hall. Lined with massive stone blocks of Burgundy, in contrast to the through-space, intended to strengthen the construction of the museum. To the public museum was opened in December 1986.

Museum opens at 9.30. We reached him somewhere at ten to ten. The people were many, despite the fact that the drizzling rain. In general, stood in line for an hour. And the people all come and come the end of the queue was no longer visible. We come a little later, would stand in line for much longer ... Assessing the situation, decided to buy the "museum card" for 4 days, giving the right to visit certain museums, bypassing the enormously long queue at the cashier.

A fresh look at Edouard Manet, had special feelings did not cause his work. And then, as if his eyes were opened: it has a special color, thin light transmission. Famous paintings such as "Olympia", "Breakfast on the Grass", "Balcony", appeared in a different light. Emphasis on the word "light", because no printing does not pass this special light.
More about the color of the walls of the museum: they are in all rooms are different: blue, brown, olive, red bilberry, purple, etc. And how interesting patterns fit into this color: a contrast, we complement each other. But when we look at the pictures, the surrounding colors also affect our eyesight. As a result, the synthesis of these visual impressions we have a way of painting. For the most part in the d'Orsay is done very well. Close

From journal The most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Modern furniture

by Zhebiton

Moscow, Moskva, Russia

February 11, 2011

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I`d like to talk about furniture, furniture in the Art Nouveau style (Art Nouveau). Although it is not so much a conversation as a parade of images. Still would like to note that the exposition was presented not only furniture but also other items ...Read more I`d like to talk about furniture, furniture in the Art Nouveau style (Art Nouveau). Although it is not so much a conversation as a parade of images. Still would like to note that the exposition was presented not only furniture but also other items of decorative art.

Appeared in the late XIX century, new art has set a goal "to reflect the life and invents for this style, which takes a sample directly the natural form, is a great variety and dynamism.
Thus, in the dining room, designed by Alexander Charpentier around 1900, bizarre vines give manifest in all its glory panels made in the neoclassical style.
Interestingly, this decoration was created to Adrien Benard banker, the builder of underground, the man who commissioned Hector Guimard designed the entrance to the Paris Metro.
Guimard called himself a representative of the "Art of Architecture" and demonstrated a clear penchant for floral ornaments, as evidenced by the cast ornaments in the museum.

The main principle of the Art Nouveau style - the unity of architecture, furniture and decoration. Decorative objects and furniture should not be isolated but should be organically integrated into the overall style of the house. Guimard applies this principle in one of its main buildings, a small castle Béranger in the 16th district in Paris, for which he designs all the furniture. Also in this paper Guimard not forget about plant forms, which can be seen by looking at the couch for a smoking room.

Francois Ryuper rifle was trained as a sculptor, but also produces items for the decorative arts. He produced about twenty pieces of furniture, between 1890 and 1904 in which it was felt that he was primarily a sculptor. His work is particularly interesting because of its nude female figures who perform the practical or decorative function. This fountain bears the imprint of reverie. Water, bubbling stream of goatskin, which pushes the naked nymph, is going to sink. Sink represents water, the edge of which is decorated with lilies, which are the holders for soap.

Also, we were able to visit an interesting exhibition «Art Nouveau Revival. 1900. 1933. 1966. 1974 (Renaissance Art Nouveau), passing at this time in the Museum d'Orsay. It was interesting to see how the principles declared by modernity, are reflected in subsequent years, developed and interpreted by the representatives of such areas as "organic design", "psihodelizm", "naturalism", etc.
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From journal The most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Stunning museum

by jipp05

CA1 1LA, England, United Kingdom

January 5, 2011

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Best of IgoUgo The Louvre is an amazing museum but it is so large it can be intimidating and it's for that reason that my favourite museum in Paris is the musée d'Orsay.The museum is housed in a beautiful railway station dating from 1900 and is grand and impossing ...Read more The Louvre is an amazing museum but it is so large it can be intimidating and it's for that reason that my favourite museum in Paris is the musée d'Orsay.
The museum is housed in a beautiful railway station dating from 1900 and is grand and impossing on the outside but on the inside is incredibly light and airy. As I am a bit of an archectecture buff I spent quite a bit of time admiring the building.

The collection in the Orsay is nowhere near as extensive as some other museums but you can still spend a good few hours looking round the collection and what is on display is pretty spectacular.
The museum specialises in 19th and 20th century art and houses work from some of the worlds great artists such as Monet, Van Gough and Renoir.

The interior really is impressive and is so light and airy and none of the works feel like they have been crowded together and it is a pleasure to look round. When we visited there was plenty of visitors but nowhere near the crowds at the Louvre and it never felt claustophobic.
The high ached glass ceiling really helps in opening up the space and on the upper floors none of the rooms are walled in which also helps with the feeling of space and light.

The smaller collection of paintings meant that I could really take time to appeciate the beauty of them without feeling the need to rush so I could see everything and getting museum fatigue.
The real highlight for me personally was the sculpture collection which was wonderful and displayed lovely. You could get close enough to actually see the detailing and again none of them were crowded together.

Although nowhere near as busy as the Louvre it can get busy so it can be helpful to purchase a museum pass as this will allow you to bypass the queues to the museum.
It is open every day from 9:30am to 6:00pm with the exception of mondays when the museum is closed.
Located in the 7th arrondissement the museum is quite close to the Eiffel tower and is really easy to find.
The musee d'orsay is a must see in Paris and one of the most enjoyable museums I have ever visited. Close

From journal The most beautiful city in the world

Art, beyond the Louvre

by wasa girl

Ashburn, Virginia

September 26, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Everyone goes to the Louvre when the are in Paris, but that is only a fraction of the story. As a "art nut" I encourage anyone visiting Paris to not over look the Musee d'Orsay, the museum continues the story that the Louvre starts. This is the ...Read more

From journal Five Days In Paris

Musee d'Orsay

by rufusni

Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

August 2, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The Musee d'Orsay is housed in a former train station which had to close in 1937 as the platforms were too short for newer trains. It remained empty and was saved from demolish threats after the outcries over Les Halles destruction. So in 1986 this ...Read more The Musee d'Orsay is housed in a former train station which had to close in 1937 as the platforms were too short for newer trains. It remained empty and was saved from demolish threats after the outcries over Les Halles destruction. So in 1986 this museum opened dedicated to artwork from between 1848 and 1914.

The building itself is quite beautiful and is a perfect backdrop for the stunning artwork inside. What was previous the platforms area is an incredible light and airy space that soars upwards. The gallery is housed over three floors. The platform area on the ground floor is the late 19th century, middle floor is Art Nouveau and painting from late 9th and the top floor. The Impressionist gallery tends to be the busiest part with painting by many of the great artists of this period. However, the gallery is well laid out, so I never encountered any real sense of it being crowded, probably aided by the blank white backdrop to the artwork.

There is a pleasant terrace area beside the cafés which is nice to get a breathe of fresh air and some pleasant views over the city. There are two cafés - the lower one looks lovely, but I just wanted a drink so I picked the self-service café on the mezzanine level. Both cafés have views through the clock face of the building.

It's worth reading up a bit before you go the Musee D'Orsay but not necessary. The museum has a light and fresh atmosphere and has made good use of the space of the former train station. It's a pleasant place to visit and admire the artwork on display without having to tax the brain too much. There are many famed pieces of artwork here, like Monet's waterlilies or Gauguin's Tahitian artwork, but also many other less famed but spectacular works which are probably more incredible due to their unfamiliarness. You could spend a few hours here and cover a fair amount of the artwork with time to linger over a few favourites.

There is an RER stop right at the museum or there are some metro stops not that far away. The Musee d'Orsay is included in the Paris Museum Pass, otherwise a ticket is 7.50 euros, or concessions 5.50 euros, and under 18 are free. It is closed on Mondays, and it opens from 9.30pm to 6pm the rest of the week with late night opening on Thursday. Close

From journal Exploring Paris

Musee d'Orsay

by pointofnoreturn

Ottawa, Ontario

June 6, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo If you're not a fan of massive crowds and like to visit smaller galleries, this is the perfect museum for you to visit. The museum is located in the 7e arrondissement, near the Eiffel Tower and just a short metro ride from the Louvre. Regular ...Read more

From journal Vive La Paris

Musee d'Orsay

by Mandan Lynn

Smithwick, South Dakota

February 13, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo I had heard that the Musee d'Orsay has a phenomenal collection, and indeed it does. It is housed in an impressive building - you enter into a grand hall filled with sculptures. To the side are rooms filled with paintings. I came across Delacroix's ...Read more

From journal My Own Little Paris

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