The Musée d’Orsay in Paris houses an impressive collection of 19th and early 20th-century art, including works by famous painters and sculptors. The museum is located in a former railway station, built in the Beaux-Arts style, and is open six days a week. Visitors can also enjoy the museum’s shops, café, and restaurant.
The Orsay Museum is located on the left bank of the Seine in Paris, France. This property houses an impressive collection of Impressionist and other art, most of which dates from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Musée d’Orsay collection includes works by Manet, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh, along with many other famous painters and sculptors. More than three million people visit the Musée d’Orsay each year to admire not only its collection of works of art, but also its grand architectural style and beautiful waterfront setting.
In 1898, the French government oversaw the construction of the Gare d’Orsay railway station on the left bank of the Seine. This station featured an elaborate design inspired by the Beaux-Arts architectural style. The train station was completed in time for the 1900 Paris World’s Fair and attracted rave reviews from visitors. By the start of World War II, the station was no longer large enough to accommodate the most modern trains and was abandoned as a railway station.
From the 1940s to the 1970s the Gare d’Orsay was used as a theater and film set before finally being abandoned. In 1978, the French government considered demolishing the structure, but instead decided to turn it into a modern art museum. Work on the museum began in 1981 and the Musée d’Orsay opened its doors to the public in 1986.
While the art collection is a major attraction, the Orsay Museum also attracts visitors due to its well-preserved architectural style. In keeping with the Beaux-Arts style, the property features a vaulted great room and an exterior crafted of stone, glass, and metal. It also incorporates a strong Baroque influence, highlighted by elaborate sculptures and statues built into the building’s facade.
Inside, the Musée d’Orsay houses a collection of 2,300 paintings, 1,500 sculptures and more than 1,000 other works of art in a variety of mediums. Many of these works were done by well-known artists and are highly regarded for their impressionist style. The Musée d’Orsay also hosts photographic exhibitions and those focusing on architectural design and furniture.
The museum is open six days a week and is generally closed on Mondays, except during the high season. It is open late on Thursday evenings, allowing visitors to enjoy the exhibits and admire the building itself during the twilight hours. Guests can browse art-related books and paraphernalia in the museum’s two shops, or have a meal at the museum’s café or formal restaurant.
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