The Musée d'Orsay is an old trainstation converted into a Museum. The conversion has been very successful and the museum is worth a visit for the special setting alone. The old Gare (train station) d'Orsay was built by Victor Laloux and inaugurated in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition. The station was closed in 1939.

The museum was opened in December 1986 and was dedicated to all artistic production from 1848 to 1914. Paintings, pastels, sculptures, furniture and objets d'art, photography and documentary objects reflect the richness and diversity of this era.

If you have limited time, you may well prefer to confine yourself to the third floor, which contains superb paintings by the Impressionists.