The Louvre and The Musée d’Orsay
Whether you are an avid lover of art or fancy a city break with a difference escaping to Paris and soaking up the atmosphere of the art galleries couldn’t be more enjoyable or relaxing. Time spent perusing the collections of two of the most famous galleries in the world in a city so creative and spectacular is sure to provide an opportunity that will create many lasting memories.
The Louvre is one of the largest art museums in the world and is home to more than 70,000 pieces of art, all set within the most stunning building that is The Grand Palace. The Palace fuses both the tradition of 12th-century details and 21st-century contemporary design within its architectural styling, creating a breathtaking backdrop to the skyline of Paris. When art is housed within an art form itself you know the discoveries are sure to be special.
Rich in history, style and creativity exploring the collections of art at The Louvre is more than just viewing the art exhibited, it is about immersing yourself in the beauty of the setting, taking the time to observe details that often in life we overlook and losing yourself for a while in the vastness of the collections that cover 650,000 square feet of gallery space.
When the museum first opened in 1793 there were just 537 paintings yet today the collection is so vast it is divided into curatorial departments that include Egyptian antiques, Near Eastern antiques, Greek, Etruscan, Roman antiques, Islamic art sculpture, paintings, decorative arts, drawing and prints. Two of the most famous works exhibited at The Louvre are the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
Painted by Leonardo da Vinci the portrait of the Mona Lisa is a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and is known all over the world drawing millions of visitors to the museum each and every year. The Venus de Milo is another world-famous piece that the many visitors who travel to the museum are also keen to see. Discovered in 1820 the sculpture created from two blocks of marble shows a stunning depiction of the human form that is delicate, carefully considered and has a grace that is peaceful and tranquil.
Residing on the banks of the River Seine sits the large former railway station the Gare d’Orsay, a Beaux-Arts railway station built between 1898 and 1900 that is now the home of The Musée d’Orsay. A vast space that provides an architectural impact the moment you arrive. From the towering arched roof to the mesmerising gold station clock that adds a dramatic focal point to the venue, this is definitely a gallery with a difference and is sure to tempt you to discover the masterpieces within.
Home to a vast collection of impressionist paintings this is certainly the best place to see the works by the world-famous masters such as Monet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gough, Matisse, Pissarro and Morisot. The delicacy, drama and skills depicted within the works on show are sure to inspire and for those who are new to the arts enjoying the architectural delights of these stunning museums is sure to impress as much as the art within.
With so many amazing galleries and museums to discover from the classical to the contemporary, immersing yourself in a creative city break in Paris will awaken the senses and create unique memories to treasure forever.