Musee D'Orsay

This is the facade of the D'Orsay Museum - formerly a train station for the Paris - Orleans Railway.  It is quite remarkable how extravagant the architecture and ornamentation is for something so pedestrian as a train station.

 All the towns visited by the trains are carved into the side of the building.

It is crowned by rows of elaborate sculptures.

Remember - this wasn't a palace - it was  a TRAIN Station!

View from the D'Orsay to Sacre Coeur.

Now onto a sampling of the amazing impressionist paintings....

Manet

 Degas

 Degas

Van Gogh 

Van Gogh 

Van Gogh

Maurice Denis 

Pissaro 

Sadly only got to see a snippet of a Monet waterlilies.  The Orangerie gallery which has most of the large paintings was closed.

 Renoir

Renoir

My Sister-Law Tammy!

(on display at my sister's house, not the D'Orsay)

BTW - i wasn't like the Asian school girls giggling through the salons taking selfies and not really LOOKING at the art.  I sat and studied these paintings - i just grabbed a few snapshots to remember this wonderful experience.

Opera model

One of several clock windows

Many beautiful marble sculptures.

A segment of a model of a door done by Rodin.

And here is a quick glimpse of the ACTUAL thinker at the Rodin museum, a few blocks away.

 Bear

 Ceiling detail.  this was a TRAIN STATION people!

 Another clock

 Interior shot

 Replica of lady liberty

 E and Dee at the D-Orsay cafe.

A brief pause for Limoncello sorbet and Kir Royale.  As one does....

Painterly ceiling decoration at the museum cafe - the original ballroom for the D'orsay Hotel.

 We were also able to see the special exhibit of Italian art from 1900 to 1950,

I loved this poster,

Not an impressionist work - but i loved this piece by Sartorio - 
part of the Dolce Vita! exposition.
What a magical relaxing therapeutic day we spent at the D'Orsay.  There are dozens of museums to choose from, and i am sure they are all amazing.  but with limited time, i think we made the best choice.