If a museum in Paris was going to win first place, many people expected the Louvreto top the tables – though it only came in seventh.
The Louvre is not only the most visited art museum in the world, but also the largest. It would take you at least 100 days to visit all the artworks – and that’s only if you spend 30 seconds looking at each piece.
However, the Musée d’Orsay triumphed over the Louvre to become travellers’ all-around favourite for several reasons. Mainly, it comes down to its unique architectural and artistic heritage – the Musée d’Orsay boasts a certain charm that can’t be rivalled.
The history of the Musee d’Orsay is quite unusual. Nestled on the Left Bank of the River Seine in Paris, the museum is housed in the former Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station constructed between 1898 and 1900. In 1986, it was converted into the museum which is so well-loved today.
A series of curious relics still remain, gesturing to this forgotten legacy. For example, the Musée d’Orsay Clock in the main hall, designed by Victor Laloux in 1900, has become an iconic symbol of the museum’s rail-inspired past – no visit to the museum is complete without a photo by the famous clock.
There’s also the gorgeous chandeliers and gold-dappled decorations, which are especially lavish in the luxurious Musée d’Orsay restaurant. Because of these quirks, the building itself is considered a ‘work of art’ in its own right, before you even get a chance to marvel at the masterpieces within.
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