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Musee d'Orsay

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kimmsw
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4 out of 5
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Musée D’Orsay

  • January 15, 2004
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Bumper from Jacksonville, Florida
Musée D’Orsay

Great museum. Converted from a train station to a museum in 1986. The museum contains sections on Art Noveau, sculpture, paintings before 1870, impressionism, Neo-Impressionism and naturalism. Wonderful to see the paintings that I had heard about all my life. Monet, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec, Degas, Manet, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Gauguin and many others are all well represented here. Impressionism is not my favorite, but it was still impressive.

You can also rent a small voice device that explains and describes many of the pieces of art. They aren't very expensive and provide a wealth of information. It will keep you at the museum longer, so if you are on a time schedule, you might want to bypass this.

The first floor is mostly sculptures, with many impressive pieces. There are sculptures from rodin, Claudel,Carpeaux and Degas, just to name a few. The museum has a section on early photography. There is a nice restaraunt, if you want to stand in line. For lower scale refreshment, you can also find a nice little cafe for that well needed mid museum break.

The museum has a nice gift shop, with many books on the museum and the art; as well as prints of many of the paintings. I bought a great book/guide "A fuller understanding of the painting at Orsay." It comes in many languages and provides information enabling you to compare the works of the various artists.

From journal Paris in November

Musée D’Orsay

  • September 2, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Babaloo from , Ireland
The most amazing were Monet's paintings -- seeing prints or photos is nothing compared to the real thing! However, try to avoid the crowds! In some rooms, the lighting could be better, but it's still definitely worth a visit if you're into the Impressionists.

From journal A Weekend in Paris

Editor Pick

Musée D’Orsay

  • June 6, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Carmen from Fairfax, Virginia
Musée D’Orsay

Of the museums in Paris, I’d argue this is the best one – yes, even topping the Louvre. Good enough to go back three days in a row hoping to get in. The D’Orsay is closed on Mondays, and on the Tuesday morning when we first tried to get it, it was closed due to strikes. It was also closed because of staff strikes Wednesday morning, but I was overjoyed when we tried for the third time on Thursday and it was open. Perhaps it’s because I studied French Impressionism in school, but an entire third floor dedicated to the Monets and Renoirs of the world was very appealing to me. After showing my museum pass, I didn’t even stop at the first and second floors. I just headed straight for the escalator and room after room of impressionist paintings.

I was surprised at how much I remembered from my studies, and I was able to pick out James Whistler’s "Whistler’s Mother" right away. I’ve never understood how it qualified as an impressionist painting, or why everyone was so taken with it. I find it quite boring and ugly with its grays and blacks. However, as I ventured further down the hallways I was greeted with Manet and Degas, Monet and Renior. Renoir’s "Dancing at the Moulin de la Galette" was a favorite, and who can pass up Monet’s "Water Lillies"? I also recognized Van Gogh’s "Portrait of the Artist" and Degas’s "Blue Dancers," – of which I bought a poster in the museum’s gift shop. But my favorite impressionist, hands down, is Seurat – Seurat the dot as we called him. He painted beautiful scenes using nothing but colored dots. I was slightly disappointed by the few displays of his works.

As mentioned before, the museum pass works to get you in the D’Orsay, except for Monday when it is closed. Otherwise, you’ll need nearly 7€ to see the museum. Oh, and if you care, you’re admission price also gets you access to the first and second floors with photography and architecture exhibits. For another 5€ you can invest in an audio tour. I’m not much for these myself, preferring to go at my own pace, but a friend of mine really enjoyed the information on the tape. The D’Orsay is also open late on Thursday evenings, I believe until 9:15pm

**As a side note, we ate a snack in the café on the third floor, and found it quite nice.

From journal Paris – La Vie En Rose

Editor Pick

Top floor of the Musée d'Orsay

  • November 10, 2002
  • Rated 5 of 5 by davidx from Todmorden, United Kingdom
I have been astonished to read some comments on bulletin boards that play this museum down. What on earth do some people expect? To me, it is THE place that would bring me back to Paris again--and perhaps again--although in general I far prefer smaller cities. If you only have the time or inclination for one art museum, forget the Louvre, [worth seeing otherwise if only for the building!] and make it this one.

I have no qualifications to write about art, but the impressionist and post-impressionist paintings on the third floor were what I went to see--and they were what I did see. I could not have taken in any more after that and I doubt if I shall ever see the lower floors for the same reason, but these were simply fabulous--Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas--but what is the point of continuing a list? If you have heard of an artist from these schools, s/he is here. I always felt, when looking at any book about the Impressionists, that this was a must-see and now I am even more convinced. A friend told me before I went, ‘If you think of any picture you know, you will find it there,’ and another said, ‘You will recognize everything you see.’ I am heartily glad to say that neither statement is literally true--I am sure they were not meant to be--but you get the general idea.

Practicalities. If you lack either the time or the inclination to see other museums, this costs 7€ full and 5€ reduced, a bit more to include all exhibitions. It is FREE under 18. Obviously it is included in a Museum Card if you are going to visit a few, but in that case, buy it somewhere else and avoid the crowds.

The museum is closed on Mondays and open Thursday evenings, as well as the 0900-1800 which applies other days.

The museum is very disability-friendly. It is also helpful for anyone who wants a rest to eat, drink or just sit. It was originally a station and it has not been altered enough to stop it from being easy to imagine the trains puffing their way in and out.

I realize that I have not mentioned a single painting but there is so much here that is really stupendous that i should find it invidious. However, if this is what you want you will get what you are looking for on this site.

From journal Citybreak in Paris.

Musee d'Orsay

  • November 5, 2002
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Jehcekah from Rochester, Minnesota
Musee d'Orsay

This museum was our little gem. On Thursday evenings it is open until 9:45pm. We arrived in Paris on a very rainy day and decided to go here to stay dry. If you are a fan of Impressionistic Art, this place can be like heaven for you. Famous pieces by Monet, Degas, Seurat, Van Gough, and others are on display. Famous works in the collection include: Monet's "Waterlillies," Whistler's "Mother," Van Gogh's self-portrait, and many more. The "Orsay" is not as well known as the Louvre, therefore, you might not find as many crowds here. We spent a few hours here, but for a short trip, you can spend a shorter time and still get a lot out of it. The museum has a reduced price for youths (under 26) and has a restaurant and cafeteria.

From journal Autumn Paris

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