My most venerated Paris museum was once a railway station, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. Since then it was abandoned and later brought back to life 25 years ago, housing the largest Impressionist collection in the world. Not to mention my favorites, the Post-Impressionists.
I have wandered the halls of the Musée d’Orsay many a time, lost amidst it’s history both structural and that which decorates it’s walls. Though in the last year and a half, due to major renovations, much of this grand edifice was closed to the public, it’s space and artwork hidden from view.
To celebrate it’s recent unveiling, I decided to take a proper tour not only of the Orsay’s new galleries but also of it’s masterpieces. It was a Context Paris docent that enlightened me over an almost four hour long tour beginning in 1848 with Corot and the Barbizon School and ending in 1914 with Degas, Van Gogh, Cézanne and Monet, among others. I had briefly studied art history in the past, and tried to enlighten myself whenever possible, but an intimate tour with many of my most admired artists, where each of my questions was answered in depth and at length, THIS is art history heaven! Following the tour, I sat for some time in the sunlit space, thoughtful of all many stories I had been told, while gazing into the distance, grateful that this day at the Orsay was one of my own.
We’re glad that you could join the walk and that you we’re enlightened by your experience! You can learn so much more in the company of a passionate art historian. I hope you can go on more walks in the future.
It’s always such a pleasure and a privilege to take a Context Travel walking tour! There are so many more I would love to take….
what a fine article-makes you want to go on a context tour (why not a link to their site 2?, would be helpful!) and revisit the d’orsay (have not been in ages…..)
andrea
Hi Andrea! It was really a great tour, you must go to the Orsay soon… And there is a link to the Context Site if you click on Context 🙂
My favorite museum in Paris, I never tire of it. Beautiful!
The structure alone is worth a visit, not to mention the art…
Sounds like a perfect day. I’ll add it to my Paris wish list.
Definitely worth adding!
Gosh what a lovely space! I love when you get to visit something amazing, that was once hidden away… I don’t know much of Context Travel in Paris, but in London there are some fabulous tours that you can take, that are so rich in information. One of the best ways to get to know something better when you have the time.
http://www.styleonthecouch.com
I’ve started going on tours whenever possible and they are so enlightening! Context Travel offers walks in NYC and London too…