19th century arts and birth of cinema.
History
Built in the year 1900 by Victor Laloux, this train station was meant to service the Orleans line. Unfortunately, the line ceased because the platforms were not long enough. After being used for a variety of purposes, the whole building was entirely refitted inside and transformed into an art museum covering the period from 1850 to 1914, with an area of 50 000 m2.
The conversion of this abandoned train station, the Gare d’Orsay, into the Musee d’Orsay marked a major advance in the reorganization of the different collections. The museum is devoted to all art forms from the second half of the 19th century (painting, sculpture, architecture, music and items trom everyday life). Significant Impressionist and neo-lmpressionist works are on display, as well as the creations of the more conservative academic school that was also known as Pompier in France. Art-Nouveau objects and blue-prints complement the collections.
Design
The Collections
Location
1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur
75007 Paris
(Next to the Palace of the Legion of Honour, on the quai Anatole France and across the rue de Bellechasse, is the old Orsay station)
How to get there
Metro line 12: Solférino, Assemblée Nationale
Bus : 24, 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 94.
RER C : Musée d’Orsay
Opening
Tuesday to Sunday open 10am – 6pm
Tursday open until 9.45pm
Sunday : 9am-6pm.
Closed on Mondays, January 1st , May 1st, December 25th
Official website