Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by April Nicole
Ah, Paris – the city of love, lights and world-famous museums. If you’re planning a trip to the French capital, a visit to the Musée d’Orsay is an absolute must. This stunning museum houses an impressive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in a beautiful Beaux-Arts building that was once a railway station.
But with so much to see, where do you even begin? In this Musée d’Orsay guide, I’ll take you through our top 10 picks for things to see. From Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over The Rhône to Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, we’ve got you covered. So grab your map and let’s get started on your journey through one of Paris’ most beloved museums.
My Musée d’Orsay Guide: Top 10 Things to See
Edgar Degas, Little Dancer of Fourteen Years
One of the most famous sculptures in the Musée d’Orsay is Edgar Degas’ Little Dancer of Fourteen Years. The sculpture is a life-size sculpture of a young ballet dancer. She is wearing a tutu and her hair is pulled back in a bun. The sculpture was controversial when it was first exhibited because it was so realistic.
Degas was interested in painting everyday life and he often painted dancers and other performers. He wanted to capture the beauty and grace of the human body in motion. He also wanted to show the hard work and dedication that went into being a ballet dancer. The Little Dancer of Fourteen Years is a wonderful example of Degas’ talent for capturing both the beauty and the reality of his subjects.
Located: Upper Level, Room 31
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Bal du Moulin de la Galette
Perhaps one of the most well-known and cherished paintings of the late-19th century, Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s “Bal du Moulin de la Galette” has come to epitomize an age of carefree happiness and newfound freedoms.
Painted in 1876, the work depicts a bustling Sunday afternoon at the Moulin de la Galette, a popular dance hall and gathering place in Montmartre, Paris. In the painting, a group of well-dressed Parisians can be seen enjoying the music and dancing, while others mingle and chat in the background.
Several of Renoir’s friends and fellow artists are included in the picture, and the work is noted for its vibrant colors and depiction of everyday life. The painting hangs in the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Located: Upper Level, Room 30
François Pompon, Polar Bear
The Musée d’Orsay is home to a number of impressive sculptures, including one by François Pompon. The Polar Bear is a large sculpture that was carved from a single block of marble. It is a striking piece of art, and it is one of the most popular attractions at the museum.
Pompon was a French sculptor who was born in 1855. He is best known for his animal sculptures, and the Polar Bear is one of his most famous works. Pompon was commissioned to create the sculpture for the Musée d’Orsay in 1922. The Polar Bear was placed in the museum’s front courtyard, where it has become a popular photo spot for visitors.
Located: Middle level, Sculpture Terrace 1880-1910
Henri Rousseau, The Snake Charmer
Few artists have managed to capture the imagination quite like Henri Rousseau. A self-taught painter who achieved success late in life, Rousseau produced a body of work that was both unique and influential. His style, which combined elements of Primitivism and Surrealism, was highly original and instantly recognizable.
Rousseau is perhaps best known for his jungle scenes, which feature animals and plants in an exotic, otherworldly setting. One of his most famous paintings is “The Snake Charmer,” which depicts a man playing a flute while a snake coils around his body. The painting is both charming and eerie, and it perfectly encapsulates Rousseau’s strange and beautiful vision.
Located: Middle Level, Room 68
Jules Cavelier, Pénélope
Jules Cavelier was a French artist who is best known for his work at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Cavelier was a pupil of Paul Delaroche and Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot. His work is characterized by its realism and its concern for the everyday life of its subjects.
“Pénélope” is one of Cavelier’s best-known works. It depicts a young woman standing in front of a mirror, in a pose that is both demanding and alluring. The painting is set in an idyllic rural landscape, and the woman’s reflection can be seen in the mirror.
Located: Ground floor, central aisle of sculptures
Édouard Manet, Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe
Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe (Luncheon on the Grass) is a famous painting by Édouard Manet that was completed in 1863. The painting depicts two fully clothed men and a partially nude woman having a picnic in a rural setting. This controversial artwork caused a sensation when it was first exhibited due to its unconventional composition and subject matter, as well as the fact that it challenged traditional artistic conventions of the time.
The use of light and shade in the painting, particularly in the depiction of the woman’s body, was also considered scandalous by many. Despite its initial controversy, Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe has since become one of Manet’s most celebrated works and is widely regarded as an early example of modern art.
Located: Upper Level, Room 29
See the Statue of Liberty Up Close
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most iconic symbols of freedom and democracy in the world, and it is showcased at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. The original plaster model was created by French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi in 1878 as a gift to the United States from France to celebrate their shared values. The statue was completed in 1884 and shipped to New York City, where it was assembled on Liberty Island and dedicated in 1886.
The Musee d’Orsay’s plaster model is a smaller replica of the original statue that stands at just over nine feet tall. It provides visitors with an up-close look at the intricate details and symbolism of this beloved American monument. Visitors can learn about the statue’s history and significance while enjoying its impressive artistry and craftsmanship.
Fun Fact: You can see two other Statues of Liberty in Paris, plus a full-sized golden replica of her torch called the Flame of Liberty near the Pont de l’Alma bridge at Place Diana in the 16th arrondissement.
Located: Ground floor, central aisle of sculptures
The Clocks
Musée d’Orsay boasts three enormous and beautiful clocks. The magnificent gold clock near the building’s entrance is dripping with fancy ornamentation. The two elegant glass and steel-framed clocks inset in the former railway station’s towers overlooking the Seine are also breathtaking.
Once you’re inside the museum, you can’t help but notice the stunning golden clock on the glass wall near the entrance. Designed by Gare d’Orsay architect Victor Laloux, this Belle Époque beauty was placed in a highly visible spot so that no one would miss their train.
The brasserie on the 5th level is a great place to have lunch, and you can also find one of the glass clocks there. It forms one of the walls of the restaurant.
The other glass clock is where you will get the best photos as well as spectacular views of the Seine and the Right Bank – but finding it is not so easy unless you know where to look.
Here’s how to find it. Head to the end of museum away from the entrance, and go up to the 5th level. Depending on whether you take the stairs, escalator, or elevator, you’ll emerge in a slightly different place – but walk toward the Seine-side of the building where the galleries are located, and you’ll spot the clock near the corner.
The views and photo opps are 100% worth the effort of finding this clock!
Antoine Bourdelle, Hercules The Archer
Antoine Bourdelle was a prominent French sculptor of the 20th century, known for his monumental works and his emphasis on classical forms. One of his most famous sculptures is Hercules The Archer, which depicts the mythological hero in a dramatic pose with his bow drawn.
The sculpture is notable for its dynamic energy and its attention to detail, particularly in the musculature of Hercules’ body and the intricate folds of his garment. It was created in 1909-1910 and has since become an iconic work of art, inspiring countless imitations and adaptations. Today, the original sculpture can be found in the Musée Bourdelle in Paris, where it continues to captivate visitors with its power and grace.
Located: Middle level, Sculpture Terrace 1880-1910
Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night
Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night is one of the most recognizable and beloved paintings in the world. Completed in 1889, it depicts the view from Van Gogh’s window at the Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum in southern France, where he was a patient. The painting’s swirling, dream-like patterns evoke a sense of movement and energy that captures the imagination of viewers.
The use of vibrant colors and thick, impasto brushstrokes adds depth and texture to the piece, creating a unique visual experience. While Starry Night is undoubtedly a masterpiece, it is also notable for its profound emotional resonance, reflecting Van Gogh’s own struggles with mental illness and his deep connection to nature. Today, Starry Night remains an enduring symbol of artistic expression and human creativity.
Located: Upper level, Galerie Françoise Cachin
Gustave Caillebotte, The Floor Scrapers
Gustave Caillebotte’s The Floor Scrapers is one of the most iconic paintings of the Musée d’Orsay. The painting depicts two workers scraping the floor of a Parisian apartment, and it’s been hailed as a realist masterpiece.
If you’re looking to get a sense of how life was like in late-19th century Paris, then The Floor Scrapers is a must-see. The painting captures the Parisian working class in all its gritty detail, and it’s a fascinating glimpse into a world that’s long gone.
Even if you’re not particularly interested in history, The Floor Scrapers is worth a look. The painting is incredibly well- executed, and it’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
Located: Upper Level, Room 30
Camille Claudel, The Age of Maturity
There is no artist quite like Camille Claudel. Her works straddle the line between the traditional and the modern, the classical and the personal. She is a master of sculpture, and her works are both highly sought-after and deeply personal.
“The Mature Age” by Camille Claudel comprises three nude figures. A young woman is kneeling who has just released the hand of the older standing man who he is being drawn away by the embrace of an older woman with a swirling drape.
The sculpture can be viewed as an allegory of aging, the man leaving behind youth and progressing towards maturity and eventual death.
Located: Middle level, Sculpture Terrace 1880-1910
The Six Continents statues
The Six Continents statues on the plaza outside Musée d’Orsay; each of the six allegorical female figures represents a continent and was created by a different French sculptor, including Europe (Pierre-Alexandre Schoenewerk), Asia (Alexandre Falguière), Africa (Eugène Delaplanche), North America (Ernest-Eugène Hiolle), South America (Aimé Millet), and Australia (Mathurin Moreau)
When you walk by on your way in or out of the Orsay, take a moment to admire them – they really are fantastic.
Enjoy a Drink and Awesome Views on the Summer Terrace
One of the Orsay Museum’s best-kept secrets is its Terrasse d’Été – Summer Terrace – perched high above the city with lovely views of the Seine River, the Louvre, and in the distance, even Sacre Coeur perched high on its hill in Montmartre.
To find it, use the escalator, elevator, or stairs near the museum’s entrance and go up to the 5th floor. Follow the signs to Cafe Compana. Next to its entrance, you’ll see a narrow passage to the right that leads to the terrace and a small snack bar where you can buy drinks and pastries. Bask in the sunshine while you relax and enjoy the views!
Did you enjoy reading my Musée d’Orsay guide? What is your favorite artwork? Share with me in the comments below!
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