Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
MUSÉE D'ORSAY
The home of France's national collection from the impressionist, postimpres-
sionist and art-nouveau movements is, appropriately, the glorious former
Gare d'Orsay. The railway station is itself an art-nouveau masterpiece de-
signed by competition-winning architect Victor Laloux. Transforming the lan-
guishing building into the country's premier showcase for art from 1848 to
1914 was the grand project of former president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who
signed off on it in 1977. The museum opened its doors in 1986, with a roll call
of instantly recognisable works from French and international masters.
Far from resting on its laurels, the Musée d'Orsay's recent renovations incorporate a re-
energised layout and increased exhibition space. Rather than being lost in a sea of white,
prized paintings now gleam from richly coloured walls that create an intimate, stately
home-like atmosphere, with high-tech illumination literally casting the masterpieces in a
new light.
For a thorough introduction to the museum, 90-minute 'Masterpieces of the Musée
d'Orsay' guided tours (€6) in English generally run at least once a day from Tuesday to
Saturday; 90-minute 'Nineteenth-Century Art' tours (€6) are also available. Check the web-
site for seasonal departure times. Kids under 13 aren't permitted on tours.
Photography of all kinds (including from mobile phones) is forbidden to avoid crowd bot-
tlenecks. If you want something more tangible than memories to take with you, there's an
excellent book and gift shop.
