Originally designed by Victor Laloux for the 1900 Universal Exhibition, the Musee d’Orsay operated as a mainline railroad station until 1986. When it was slated for destruction in the 1970’s, locals put up enough resistance to convince officials to spare the ornate building. The Musee d’Orsay now houses an extensive collection that highlights the period from 1848 to 1914. This article will offer a checklist of sights that you should include during your visit to the museum.
Instructions
Enjoy the Musee d'Orsay
1. Explore the Pre-Inpressionism exhibits. Upon entering the museum, you will find yourself on the ground floor, where you will find works from the mid- to late-19th century. Here you will find works by Degas, Delacroix, Renoir and Monet, to name a few. The exhibits are presented in over twenty-four galleries, which are arranged around the Central Aisle. Begin in the Central Aisle and work your way to the outer galleries in a counter-clockwise pattern. You should end up in the temporary exhibition gallery near the front of the museum. Here you will find stairs and elevators to access the upper levels.
2. Visit the middle-level galleries. The middle floor offers works in the Art Nouveau style, as well as a number of paintings and sculpture from the 19th and early-20th centuries. This level is open to the lower floor, with several terraces that feature works by numerous artists such as Bourdelle, Claudel, Pompon and Rodin. Art Nouveau works can be found in salons 61 - 66, Symbolism pieces are located in salons 59, 60 & 62, with other major art movements offered in various salons. Additionally, there is a temporary exhibition gallery on this floor as well. If you're getting hungry at this point, there is a small restaurant on this floor, at the front of the museum.
3. Tour the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist exhibits. The Musee d'Orsay houses an extensive collection of both Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, which includes numerous works by Degas, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Renoir, Manet, Gaugin and Monet. No visitor to the museum should miss Cezanne's "Apples and Oranges", Monet's "Blue Waterlilies" or Renoir's "Dancing at the Moulin de la Galette". There is also a very popular collection of work by Toulouse-Lautrec. These galleries are located on the upper floor, which is accessible by stairs and elevators near the front entrance as well as escalators in the rear of the building.
