Musée d'Orsay

It is practically a requirement to be an art lover to enter Paris. Museums and galleries are everywhere you turn, full of everything from paintings done by talented artists to sculptures that are hundreds of years old. But if you want to see some beautiful originals done by masters such as Monet and Renoir then you will need to visit the Musée d'Orsay.

Originally a Train Station
Originally a railway station built for the 1900 World Fair it stayed in use until 1939. It was the first one to have electricity in Paris. Much later it was turned into a museum after a public outcry saved it from being demolished.

The works exhibited here all represent a more modern era, the last half of the nineteenth century. Beautiful works of art by the Impressionist and Post-Impressionists are the highlights of the wonderful cathedral like museum.

The Great Glass Arch
On the ground floor is a fantastic glass arch and underneath it you will find works of art from the pre-1870 period. Sculptures of bronze and colored stone are tucked away in the nooks and crannies that was the train station.

This floor also has a set of rooms devoted to Ingres Delacroix and other works of painters that were featured in Salons. Realists and the Barbizon school are proudly showcased along with a riout of color that makes up one of Monet’s paintings.

Upper Levels
This is where you will find the majority of works by the Impressionist and Post-Impressionists. Monet, Manet and Degas' vibrant paintings adorn the walls of these small studio like rooms. You can also see paintings by Renoir, Sisley. Cezanne, Van Gogh and Pissaro.

The middle level has wonderful collections that are simply beautiful. Rooms full of Art Noveau furniture and objects of art wait the visitor’s explorations.

What You Will See
Some of the paintings you can see when you visit the Musée d'Orsay are:

1. The Hay Ricks; Late Summer, Giverny - 1891, Claude Monet
2. Poppies; near Argenteuil - 1873, Claude Monet
3. Ball at the Moulin de la Galette, Montmartre - 1876, Auguste Renoir.
4. Crispin and Scapin, also known as Scapin and Silvester - circa 1858-1860, Honoré Daumier
5. The Dancing Lesson - 1871-1874, Edgar Degas
6. The Gleaners - 1857, Jean-François Millet
7. Waiting, rue de Chateaubriand, Paris - (date unknown), Jean Béraud
8. The Circus - 1891, Georges Seurat
9. The Fifer - 1866, Édouard Manet
10. Harvesters' Country - 1882 Léon Lhermitte

These are just a few of the brilliant pieces of work exhibited in the museum. Besides paintings you will also find stunning sculptures, beautiful objects of art, photography and a variety of other art media. Items are contributed to the collections from various museums and galleries all over France. A wonderful way to introduce the whole family into the world of art.