Great Impressionists at Le Musée d’Orsay
Bonjour,
If you’re not much into art, you may not appreciate this post, but we hope you will hang in there with us and find the content interesting, perhaps educational, and indicative of all the treasures one can find in Paris.
Our day’s adventure focused on a visit to one of Paris’ most distinguished and beloved museums, Le Musée d’Orsay on the Left Bank in a spectacular old train station, Gare d’Orsay. And yes, the trains actually did run here until the modern trains in the early 1900’s became too long for the station. Even if you are not into art, the structure itself is worth the visit.
Plans and agenda in Paris get complicated because of the unexpected. We were going to zip right over to the museum which is a little difficult to get to from where we are only to be greeted with a 45-minute wait. Just unbelievable how many people were in line like us with no ticket and just as many waiting who already had their tickets. In a downpour of rain, we stood patiently. By the time we finally got in, it was noon so we decided to beat the lunch crowd and happened upon a restaurant on the second floor which was fantastic. It was our smartest move of the day. Great food and quick service in a lovely environment.
About six or seven years ago, the museum was renovated and rearranged and a source of much frustration trying to find the impressionists who were scattered all through the museum. Always before, they had been clustered on one floor. Well, I’m proud to announce that the situation has been corrected and all the better-known impressionists are on the same floor again (the fifth) which is SO much better. Monet, Renoir, Manet, Pissarro, Van Gogh, etc. Bernie gets credit for almost all of these photos. The pattern is to show the art, then the artist with explanation and title. Hope you enjoy the tour!
We ended the afternoon with a quick trip over to St. Chapelle for Bob and Cindi to see in the late afternoon sun. We waited for them across the street at a favorite café.
Our best light shot of the day was this subway station at Cité.
Dinner was a roasted chicken and potatoes from a street vendor we affectionately call “the chicken man” who has been in the same spot now for 12 or 13 years. And then, oh-là-là, we ended our day, all four of us, folding underwear in the Lavamatic across the street!
From the height of elitism and great art to the depths of real life…that was our fun day. Hope you enjoy.
L & B
October 2, 2019 @ 7:31 am
What a wonderful day we had chatting in the rain with a couple from Boston, waiting to get into the D’Orsay; discovering a great place for lunch within; taking in the architecture of the building & the art itself. The Saint-Chapelle was spectacular as well.
October 3, 2019 @ 6:02 am
Cindi and BOb, you guys have been troopers as we’ve worked you hard. So many steps!!!!!!
October 2, 2019 @ 10:16 am
Great ending to which I often coin as #RealLife! So much good about today! The artwork obviously and I like how Bernie set it up for us “back home & behind the screen.” The shots taken from inside the clock were awesome…love seeing the clock w/ a hint of city & then reverse, peering through the clock w/the city zoomed in. The chairs in the cafe- were they acrylic? Love the pops of color…and sparkle?! Just to clarify, mom, I believe you were the only one w bad hair – Bernie and Cindi were rockin theirs, ha! Lastly, Bob’s stained glass – just gorgeous!!
October 3, 2019 @ 6:01 am
The chairs were acrylic. This is someplace to take you on another visit! I knew you would comment on my “bad hair!” Ha!
October 2, 2019 @ 10:40 am
If someone didn’t appreciate art before those pictures, they will get a new understanding!! Looks like a great day…lavamatic and all!
October 3, 2019 @ 5:59 am
Hey, your turn is coming in the Lavomatic!! Looking forward to seeing you.
October 2, 2019 @ 11:32 am
It was great that they put everything back on one floor for you. So much wonderful art, all in one blog! The story of the two-piece luncheon painting was fascinating.
October 3, 2019 @ 5:59 am
Yes, much easier to view the Impressionists!
October 2, 2019 @ 11:45 am
We love the d’Orsay and always have lunch in that beautiful restaurant.
October 3, 2019 @ 5:58 am
Elaine, tell me how I know you. Are you in Huntsville? So glad you’re along!
October 2, 2019 @ 12:15 pm
Beautiful art! One of my favorite museums.
Thanks Linda!
October 3, 2019 @ 5:57 am
So glad you liked the art!
October 2, 2019 @ 12:30 pm
Love this post with the artwork and their explanations! Thank you.
October 3, 2019 @ 5:57 am
Merci à vous!
October 2, 2019 @ 1:18 pm
Fabulous posts and photos from Montmartre and the Orsay, L&B and C&B! Love the photo of ‘bad hair day’ and the (mental) image of you four going from the 5th-floor Impressionist gallery to the chicken man (yum!) and of course the all-important lavomatic. Well done, well done 🙂
Also impressed by the Maximilien Luce painting of a street in 1871 Bloody Week 🙁 Will look for him and his other works next visit to Orsay.
Don’t know how you’re all doing it but keep on rollin’ you amazing Paris energizer bunnies! xx
October 3, 2019 @ 5:56 am
You always offer such support and enthusiasm in your comments. Merci beaucoup!
October 2, 2019 @ 1:33 pm
Linda, what fun and I know how much work this represents! Thank you for treating us to these visions and reminders. I was in Giverny in 2010 — there’s no way to describe it except to say that you literally walk through the paintings when you tour the garden, A bold French child said, “hello” to me in English and seemed so proud of himself. I love those cultural touch points.
October 3, 2019 @ 5:56 am
Giverny is wonderful. Do you go with us? I can’t remember!
October 2, 2019 @ 1:38 pm
Lovely, my favorite museum in Paris! The chairs in the cafe look new (and very colorful) since my last visit. [I also Love Musee Marmatton Monet!! In 16th Arr maybe. ]
October 3, 2019 @ 5:54 am
Hi Betsy,
Don’t know about whether the chairs in the café are new, but they were certainly striking. We have visited the Musée Marmatton Monet years ago. Have to see it again.
October 2, 2019 @ 2:41 pm
I love the mod chairs in the restaurant in the museum!! How cool! and I enjoyed the art!
Thanks, Jill
October 3, 2019 @ 5:53 am
Merci! How’s the new gig?
October 2, 2019 @ 2:48 pm
I loved the art photos and explanations! Thanks tons for including us in your visit to the exhibition.
October 3, 2019 @ 5:52 am
We saw your doctor friend and his wife at the exhibit!!
October 2, 2019 @ 5:02 pm
I have 2 top choices for today, both with a little personal connection. We have the Garden at Giverny in our living room that we picked up(frame included) for $40 at a thrift store several years ago. The 2nd is the Floor Scrapers. I just finished a couple rooms of very uncomfortable ceramic tile installation 2 days ago and I consider the workers as brothers in pain. If I’d seen this earlier, I could have used their idea of having a bottle of wine by their side during their work.
October 3, 2019 @ 5:52 am
Love your comment, Pat!
October 2, 2019 @ 6:38 pm
Love love love the shout out! Sure wish I could have been with ya’ll, rain and all.
October 3, 2019 @ 5:51 am
Yes, it was a fun day!
October 3, 2019 @ 12:45 am
This is my favorite day of your trip. Thanks for sharing. I didn’t get to Musee d’Orsay on my first trip & WILL return to visit. About Monet & his portrait of Camille at her death… I’ve just finished reading: Claude & Camille – A Novel of Monet by Stephanie Cowell. You might enjoy putting it on your reading list when you’re back in the States.
Thanks, again, for sharing your fine photos. Love to you all! Cynthia
October 3, 2019 @ 5:51 am
Bonjour Cynthia, thanks for the reading tip and so glad you enjoyed the post!! I’m delighted at all the responses.