Paris

Visit the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, that of the Impressionists

The Musée d’Orsay is the second most important in Paris and, in our opinion, the most beautiful in Paris, although there is nothing written about tastes.

It is dedicated to the arts of the 19th century, paying special attention to impressionism. The works exhibited inside the Musée d’Orsay are after 1848 and before 1905.

The earlier ones are in the Musée du Louvre and the later ones in the Center George Pompidou.

The building, an old railway station

Orsay Museum - ExteriorThe building that houses the Musée d’Orsay is very curious as it is an old railway station.

Previously in this same place was the Palace of Orsay, now disappeared, and which was converted into the railway station after a fire that destroyed it.

Inaugurated in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition, it also housed a hotel and functioned until 1939, the year in which it was abandoned until it was decided in 1977 that it house a museum. which finally opened in 1986 and today is one of the most visited in France.

The Musée d’Orsay collection

Paris - The Siesta Van GoghThe Musée d’Orsay is considerably smaller than the Louvre Museum and has far fewer works.

In addition, there are fewer crowds, so a visit to this museum is a very comfortable task.

Inside the Musée d’Orsay we can find important realist, impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

In any case, there is also room for other arts such as decorative arts, photography and sculpture, some of which are very interesting.

Musée d'Orsay-RenoirThe building consists of two floors. In the lower one we can enjoy realistic paintings such as those by Coubert, Monet, Cezanne or Manet.

Orsay Museum - Van GoghBut above all, the Impressionists stand out with important canvases by Van Gogh and the Post-Impressionists such as Delacroix and Degas.

We can also enjoy the temporary exhibitions on the lower floor and it is a good place to admire the clock of the old station that is still preserved on its façade.

The less conspicuous upper floor is devoted to foreign paintings and Art Nouveau masterpieces.

From the Musée d’Orsay we can highlight La Rue Montorgueil in Paris, by Monet, La Siesta, by Van Gogh, Van Gogh’s Bedroom in Arles, by Van Gogh himself, Bal au moulin de la Galette, by Renoir.

Gaughin’s Women of Tahiti are also notable. The Station Saint-Lazare, by Monet, La Absinthe, by Degas or Breakfast on the grass, by Manet.

You can find more information on the official website of the Musée d’Orsay.

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