Musée d’Orsay

     OrsayMuseum             

The Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum, prounounced /myze doʁsɛ/), seen here, specializes in art following the period covered by the LouvreMuseum, and is particularly well known for its collection of Impressionist art, including works by such artists asClaude Monet.

The building itself is an expertly-converted former railway station (note the huge clocks at each end of the building).The main facade of the building faces north, so itis almost always in shadow, making it very difficult to photograph. I did what I could here. I have an equallybad night photograph of the museum, if you are interested. I also have aphoto of part of the interior.

Americans sometimes refer to this museum as the “d’Orsay,” omitting the required Musée in front. They think this sounds sophisticated, but it actually makes them sound like clueless dorks to the locals—it’s like saying “York” instead of “New York.” You can say “at the Louvre” because Louvre is the name of the building itself as well as the museum; but the Orsay Museum is named after a 17th-century landowner, so you can’t say “at the Orsay,” just as you can’t say “at the Johnson.”

Photographed onOctober 4, 2000.