Musee d' Orsay: Probably Better Than the Louvre and other Paris, France Things to Do Tips

It's been six visits to Paris and only on my last visit did I succeed in seeing the Musee d' Orsay! Finally... And it was all worthwhile--personally, I loved the Orsay more than the Louvre. It's a tiny museum in comparison with the Louvre. But it's got quite alot to see.

First of all it's located in the former Gare d' Orsay train station, a unique setting that's filled with space and light. And most everybody has seen the Orsay's symbol, a huge clock .

There are many works of art including paintings and sculptures throughout several floors. Many types of art are represented: realism, impressionist, post-impressionist. Many statues are featured as well.

Perhaps the most talked about and most visited gallery is the Impressionist gallery. Some of the artists featured are: Renoir, Monet, Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Cezanne, van Gogh, and even Whistler. Here you can view the authentic paintings that you must have seen in countless books, magazines, and prints. It's truly amazing to stand in front of one of Manet's or Monet's paintings. At first glance, you think, 'So this is the painting I've always seen in books.' Then it occurs to you that this is the real deal. My favorite painting at the Orsay is 'Le Dejeuner sur l' Herbe' by Edouard Manet. In a book it appears to be so small, however, in reality it's a huge painting.

There is a restaurant on the museum's second floor and a cafe on its fourth floor in case you are there during lunchtime or if you need a snack. I didn't eat at either place, but I understand the restaurant is fantastic: great food in a great setting.

If you are visiting Paris during the first Sunday of the new month, the Orsay will be free. But do plan on getting to the museum by opening at 9 a.m. or at latest by 10 a.m. Fortunately I not only got in free on my visit but I arrived by 10 a.m. when the line was super short. By the time I exited the museum two hours later, the line was out to the sidewalks.

Leave a Comment

Directions: Walk along the Seine until you reach the museum at Quai d' Orsay. You won't miss the museum as you'll see long lines and there is also a huge sign in front.
Website: http://www.musee-orsay.fr/

Walking down the rue de Varenne behind tall doors is the Hotel Biron. It is a huge mansion which was the private residence of Auguste Rodin, the world-famous sculptor. It's a very attractive property that has large grounds which show off many of Rodin's famous sculptures.

Within the mansion itself there are two floors with many rooms showcasing many of Rodin's sculptures as well. In some of the rooms you can see sculptures by his lover, Camille Claudel, who was his former student and a true talent in her own right. On display is Rodin's bust that was created by her. In other rooms you can find works by Van Gogh, Renoir, and Monet.

Certainly two of the most popular world-reknowned sculptures, Le Penseur and The Kiss, are featured. Le Penseur is located in the garden and it draws a line of tourists who wish to take photos of it. Nearby Le Penseur is a sculpture of Balzac and it looks unbecoming as Balzac is portrayed wearing a robe. The Kiss is located in one of the main ground floor rooms.

N.B.: The museum is free on the first Sunday of the month!

Leave a Comment

Address: Across the street from the Invalides
Directions: Line 13 : Varennes
Website: www.musee-rodin.fr

The 7th district is the location for a few sights and among them is Les Invalides. This was created by Louis XIV as a home for disabled soldiers. The huge, ornate dome was designed my Mansart after the death of the king.

If you approach Les Invalides from the Pont Alexandre III it is a very impressive sight to behold. Long entranceway with a huge lawn with the building in the center. You can also approach it via rue de Varenne to the side. No matter what approach you take the building is huge and it actually resembles the Pantheon.

Not only is Les Invalides still housing the retired military personnel but it's famous for Napleon's tomb and the army museum. You pay one entrance fee to see both the tomb and museum.

Napoleon's tomb is in the main building that has the dome. It's directly in the center of the building and is huge. His remains are interred in several coffins within the tomb. The tomb itself is red and is made from Finnish porphyry. It's funny to think of this small emperor within this enormous tomb.

Above Napoleon's tomb is an altar and to one side there is another tomb, that of his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, Commander Foch, and the Vicompte de Turenne. There are also model displays of the French Army and some examples of military dress.

Leave a Comment

Address: Place des Invalides, 75007
Directions: From rue de Varenne walk towards the direction of the Eiffel Tower or walk down the Seine until you reach the Pont Alexandre III, cross the street to Les Invalides (cannot miss it)

Here is a photo of the Invalides dome that was designed by Mansart. It's truly spectacular to see it in person.

Leave a Comment

Within Les Invalides is Napoleon's tomb. Notice the enormous size of the tomb that seems inconceivable for the small person buried inside.

Leave a Comment

Address: Place des Invalides, 75007

I've been to Paris five times prior and have walked past Shakespeare & Company, never bothering to visit. After reading about it since then I made sure not to miss it on my sixth and latest visit to Paris.

Well, it's right across from the Seine and it's sure noticeable with its colorful paint. When you step into this tiny bookstore you will be totally overwhelmed by all the new and used books everywhere-literally everywhere: in boxes, on tables, on shelves, even on a small bed which I'm puzzled as to why it's there.

Anyway, it's a bit claustrophobic when tons of tourists decide to visit the same time as you do. But there are actuall different sections and when you find something you like, pay at the cashier which is the lady sitting in the front surrounded by books.

Notice that she will stamp one of the pages with a 'Kilometre Zero' stamp-a great souvenir of Paris as the Ile de La Cite is considered kilometre zero or where Paris began.

I understand that there is a cat who resides there, but I didn't see it. Good thing or else I may have ended up stepping on its tail by accident. Not a nice thing to do on vacation.

Leave a Comment

Address: 37, rue de la Bûcherie
Directions: near Notre Dame Cathedral
Website: http://thinkparis.com/guides/shakespeare.cfm

A visit to La Conciergerie is a must-see if you want to experience what prison life was like not only for the poor but also for the aristocracy. The massive building with its towers can be seen from the Seine. It is definitely an ominous sight to behold.
La Conciergerie was originally part of a royal palace that included Saint-Chapelle and the Palais de Justice. Later on it became a law court and a prison during the reign of Charles V after he moved the royal residence.

Its entrance on the ground floor is the Salle des Gens d' Armes where the staff ate when the Conciergerie was a palace. During the French Revolution the Conciergerie held thousands of prisoners, many of them both famous and infamous revolutionaries: Robespierre, Danton, Desmoulins, etc.

To get an idea of the prisoners lived, visit the prison cell replicas upstairs. The poorest prisoners had bare cells save for some hay to sleep on. The aristocratic prisoners had luxurious furnishings and objects in their cells.

The most visited cell is the replica of Marie Antoinette's. It is a tiny room with replicas of her furnishings, very dark. There is a replica of the queen who is seated with her back facing you and she wears a veil; behind her standing watch is a prison guard. It's difficult to imagine a French queen-whose home was Versailles at one time-being confined to such a dank, depressing cell. On the wall are displayed personal objects belonging to the queen. One reads about Marie Antoinette and once you see her personal effects, she becomes a real person, another human like us. It's both sad and touching at the same time.

Tip: Be sure that when you purchase a ticket to see the Conciergerie include the visit to St. Chapelle. This allows you to enter St. Chapelle with priority (something I declined to do due to time).

Leave a Comment

Address: 2 Blvd. du Palais, 75001
Directions: Nearby Hotel de Ville

Built by Napoleon to commerate his military victories, the Arc de Triomphe is visited by everyone who visits Paris.

Located in the center of one of the most congested yet famous intersections-Charles de Gaulle Etoile-in Paris, the Arc is Like the Eiffel Tower, a huge must-see!

You can admire its rooftop view which is 164 feet above ground level. From there you will see what the 'Etoile' means. There are twelve spokes of the etoile or star, each spoke an avenue. The most famous avenue, of course, is Ave. Champs Elysees. At another end you can see Place de La Concorde while at the other end you can view La Grande Arche de La Defense.

However, please do take the time to pay respects to the tomb of the unknown soldier on ground level.

On my last visit I walked to the Arc de Triomphe. On the way back to the hotel in a taxi, the taxi went around Pl. Charles de Gaulle Etoile. In the middle of all that huge crazy traffic were a couple crossing the roundabout oblivious to the fact they could get hit by the cars!

Leave a Comment

Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile
Directions: Metro Line 1, 2, RER A : Charles-de-Gaulle Etoile

This sight really needs no explanation. It's what people associate Paris with.

The lines to view the tower from above can be a bit long at times. If not possible it's good enough to get a full view across the tower at Champs de Mars.

Leave a Comment

Address: Trocadero
Directions: You can't miss it!!!

My favorite Parisian park has to be the Luxembourg Gardens which was actually the property of Queen Catherine de Medici. I would say that this is my second favorite Parisian park. Another property of hers was the Palais des Tuileries which burned to the ground in 1871 and was never rebuilt.

However, the grounds-or the gardens-remain. And this is known today as the Jardins des Tuileries. During Catherine de Medici's reign she had the gardens designed to her specifications. It was Le Notre, the landscaper of many famous gardens (including the gardens at Versailles), who redesigned the gardens into what we see today.

It's got the typical gravel pathways, statues, lots of beautiful flowerbeds lining the pathways, fountains, and ponds. Surrounding the ponds are the typical green metal chairs that are so handy for taking leisurly breaks from walking. During nice weather the chairs are occupied by the sun-loving Parisians. So do take a seat when one becomes available during a sunny day to contemplate all the beauty that surrounds you.

The Tuileries Gardens is a must-see for me as it's in a most scenic location. One entrance faces the Place de La Concorde and the Champs Elysees while another entrance faces Rue de Rivoli. From St. Germain des Pres walking along the Seine you cross the Pont Royal onto the Ave. du General Lemonnier with the gardens parallel to you. Looking back you will see the Musee d' Orsay with its huge clock and to your right, the Musee de Louvre. And way in the distance to your left is the Place de La Concorde entrance facing the Champs Elysees.

It is because of all of these wonderful perspectives I love these gardens in addition to its own beauty.

Leave a Comment

Address: Place du Louvre
Directions: Metro: Tuileries,Concorde

***For a photo please refer to my Paris intro. page***
Website: http://www.louvre.fr