Any advice if only go to visit one of these two museums? Which is recommended more for people who are not experts on art?!
Thanks for any suggestions.
I think the d'Orsay is more accessible for people with a general interest in art, but not a specific love of a period (Renaissance, etc). It is smaller and easier to get around. The building itself is also quite beautiful. If I had to choose, I would pick the d'Orsay, especially as more people I know prefer it to the Louvre. I am grateful I do not have to choose, however. : )
Dear sivan....another vote for d'Orsay. Totally agree with the previous poster.
Denise
love from england
To come all that way and if you never get back...my vote is try to do both. Spend more time at the D'Orsay perhaps, but go to the Louvre and see the "greatest hits" if nothing else (Mona, Venus, Winged Victory.) You can say you've been there, then!
I suggest you go on line and see what each of the two museums has to offer and then decide what you would prefer to see. Each of us has our own opinion of what we prefer but I don't see how that helps you.
I much prefer the D'Orsay. The building itself is beautiful and I love impressionist art so some of the greats I studied in my Art History class in college are hanging in their full glory on the top floor of the D'Orsay.
At the same time, I just can't imagine going to Paris and not seeing at least the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and perhaps Napoleon's apartments, among other things. I took my 15 year old son to Paris 7 years ago and he had no interest in art (after a college Art History class he is now interested). I required that he go to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. We walked in, passed the Venus de Milo, went up to the Mona Lisa, viewed it, and then left the Louvre.
How long will you be in Paris? What else do you plan to see? Perhaps you can see one or both of these museums on the way to see something else.
The d'Orsay! Smaller and more manageable.
Sivan,
It really depends on what you want to see. The Louvre is breathtaking, the d'Orsay smaller and more manageable.
My favorite museum in Paris is the Rodin. It's a lovely little gem of a museum located in Rodin's house. The gardens with his sculptures are wonderful and this little place is very managageable to do in just a few hours. Just a thought.
Have a great trip.
Vicki
HI "Vickie" nice to see you posting again!
We'll I'll cast a vote in the other direction. To me, the d'Orsay is full of art, but the Louvre is full of history. Being a history buff, the Louvre is more up my alley. So depending on what you think you'd enjoy seeing, take that into consideration.
I agree with Luggage. Loved the d'Orsay, but found ourselves going back to the Louvre several times to see more. The paintings are just magnificent (as at d'Orsay.) Maybe it's the setting. Following a brilliant day of art, exiting through the pyramid, feeling the atmosphere of the courtyard surrounded by the palace oozing history, walking through the Tuilleries toward Concorde to watch the E.T. twinkle. It's a special place.