d'Orsay during renovation

We were there on a weekday about 3 weeks ago. It was very crowded, but the impressionist exhibit was wonderful (and that's what we're there to see).

We were there is mid-May. It was still a very enjoyable visit. A lot of the art is touring, in fact some of the Van Gogh is in S.F. right now. Also some of the Gauguin is out west. http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/van-gogh-gauguin-cezanne We still saw lots of memorable art, don't let it hold you back that some of it is touring.

First I've heard of the renovation. We were there in April 09 and will be back in about 6 weeks. When we were there last year, the second floor art deco/nouveau area was closed. (I assume for the renovation) May I ask what's closed? Thanks

Hi Dan, This is from the museum's website....Caution. Work in progress From November 2009 to March 2011, the museum will be carrying out major renovation work on its museographic areas, leading to the closure of level 5. During this period, your visit will begin on level 0, where you will view the large realist paintings of Courbet and the first works of Manet, Monet and Cézanne, together with impressionists and post-impressionists, sculpture collections (Carpeaux, Daumier...), as well as paintings from the 1850s and 60s (Ingres, Delacroix, Degas...). This continues on to level 2 with the masterpieces of French and Belgian Art Nouveau, foreign schools of painting, symbolism (Homer, Burne-Jones...), and naturalism (Gervex, Lhermitte...).

There are two separate D'Orsay exhibits touring right now. One is "The Birth of Impressionism" and the second is "Post Impressionism - Van Gough, Cezanne, Gaughin". So, while they are still exhibiting impresionist art at the D'Orsay, much of it is currently loaned out.

Sorry that we have all the good stuff ;-).........But we are thoroughly enjoying it, although with MANY more people crowding the exhibit rooms than I've ever seen at the d'Orsay...8^(

It's been a least 5 or 6 years since we've been to the west coast. And were thinking it was time for a trip to the bay area, napa and Yosemite again. (If you guys could only learn to cook. ;) What can I say, I grew up and still live around New Orleans.) I suspect. By the time we get there, the tour will be back in Paris. I looked up the Orsay Web site. I think the main painting I'll be missing, and want to see again, is the drummer boy. Fingers crossed. Note to self. A reason to go to the Dordogne and Loire with a few days in Paris. Vrs the UK and Scotland. in 11. Thanks

Manet's fife boy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Manet,_Edouard_-_Young_Flautist,_or_The_Fifer,_1866_(2).jpg was the marquee work at the touring exhibit at the De Young in S.F., which just ended its run a few weeks ago. The other instantly recognizable works that I remember that were in the recent exhibition from the d'Orsay were Monet's La Pie and Gare St. Lazare. Also the one with the parade in the streets, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monet-montorgueil.JPG

"How is the renovation affecting the museum?" The renovation has substantially affected the museum, since 240 of its paintings are not there, having been loaned out to other museums. For this reason, until the renovation is completed this is not nearly the collection of Impressionist paintings that you would have seen in the past, or will see again after the renovation is completed. People who apparently didn't know about the renovation and went anyway are saying they're still glad they went, but we're not hearing from those who knew about the renovation and are passing on it for now.

We were there last month. I hadn't been before so cannot compare it to what it would be like without the renovation, but there is still plenty of impressionist art to be seen at the museum. During the renovation they're exhibiting the art differently, in artist pairs. For example, I believe they combined the Van Gogh paintings with the Cezanne. I could be mistaken about the exact pairings but it's an interesting way to view the art. It was very crowded when we were there hopefully will be less so for you.

If you'll look at their website, it currently does not have a completion date. I sent them an e-mail to check status for March 2011 and they are now waffling on when they will re-open with all the permanent collection. They hinted at a second semester date.

thanks to all of you - guess since we'll be there, we need to go and make the best of it - I'm sure there will be plenty to see - I remember taking my students to the Art Institute of Chicago and they had a photo of Seurat's painting of Sunday in the Park as it was on tour (caused quite a furor in Chicago) :(

I was just there on the 23 of December and was initially concerned about this same issue. The ground floor has not been changed much, the audioguide from Rick and the description in his book are the same as before. The major works of the second floor have been moved to the first floor at the edges of the museum. It was a bit harder to follow any guide around this section but it seemed as if all the major works are still there, just moved around. I saw all the pieces I wanted to see so I would call that a success!