This was another of my favorite things in Paris. After being overwhelmed by the Louvre, I felt at home in the Orsay. And while it's not free, it is 7 euros very well spent (only 5 on Sundays!) and much less intimidating.
After visiting Monet's Garden at Giverny the day before, it was almost surreal to see it depicted in Monet's beautiful works. I studied visual art and art history at school and so it was wonderful to see all the works in the gallery that I had studied.
Definitely one of my favourite galleries in the world and a great way to spend a rainy day in Paris.