The time I spent here, in the Orsay Museum, will forever be engrained in my memory. I looked forward to this the most and when I have high expectations, the reality can sometimes not quite live up to them. But, this, this was just as I imagined and more. I hope to come back here someday.
If you haven’t been to the Musee d’Orsay, here are many, many photos from our visit there that will give you a good glimpse. Unlike at our time at the Louvre, I didn’t have as detailed of a plan because I knew I wanted to see every single thing. I’m thankful that I did plan everything else out so well, so that we could use the bulk of our museum day there.
If you want some tips to visiting an art museum, definitely read through my Louvre post. For our visit here most of my research consisted of years of learning about art history (Modern Art was my focus) and studying the majority of the paintings within these walls. I started looking through the collections before we came and began writing a list, but then stopped because I could have written down half of the museum.
I did, however, want to make sure that I saw a few things. I may have almost panicked when I couldn’t find a few of the paintings I was looking for, one was being restored, another in a special exhibit there, and the last one was visiting another museum. I’m glad that I did write down some key pieces because I would have been so disappointed if I missed those or thought that I could have seen them and didn’t.
The museum is located on the Seine across from the Louvre and the gardens in the old train station. It’s gorgeous and filled with that beautiful Paris light and all of the gilded details.
The museum is not too large, but it is packed full with best of the best from Modern art. Filled with all your favorite impressionist artists.
I would have loved to visit the Paris Opera house, but this was maybe the next best thing. Look how intricate everything is.
Still can’t get enough of Monet. If you are a Monet fan then you need to add this museum along with the Orangerie museum to your dream list.
Close up of some Toulouse-Lautrec brush strokes.
Seriously so happy.
Van Gogh
This Edgar Degas piece was high on my list and it was stunning in person.
Seeing the clock
These two being allstars and letting mama run around the museum like a madwomen and making sure to see all my favorites a couple times.
Gustave Caillebotte, The Floor Planers
They were restoring The Artist’s Studio by Gustave Courbet
Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass was the painting I hunted down in a special exhibition.
I love this photos of Ruby & I still cannot believe that we traveled to Europe with her. It was so much fun and I am so happy to have her in these photos and as a part of the experiences. Even if she prefers chasing pigeons over Picasso.
My favorite pieces of the Orsay museum that I captured:
Someday I hope to take the time to properly annotate all of these pices, but if you’re interested they can all be found on the museum’s website.
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You can find more of our Europe travels HEREĀ
