The History of Musée d'Orsay

The history of the Musée d'Orsay begins with its construction as a magnificent Beaux-Arts railway station, the Gare d'Orsay. Built between 1898 and 1900, it was designed by architect Victor Laloux to serve as the terminus for the Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans railway company, opening just in time for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. Its life as a major station, however, was short-lived, and it was officially reborn as a museum in December 1986.

The Gare d'Orsay: A Modern Marvel (1900-1939)

Upon its opening, the Gare d'Orsay was celebrated as the world's first urban terminal for electric trains. Its design was a triumph, integrating a modern iron and glass structure within a lavish stone facade to harmonise with the elegant architecture of the Louvre across the Seine. For 39 years, the station served as a busy hub for southwestern France. However, the relentless progress of railway technology soon rendered it obsolete. By 1939, its platforms had become too short for the new, longer mainline trains, and the station was closed to long-distance traffic.

Years of Uncertainty and a New Purpose

After 1939, the grand building entered a period of limbo. It was used for suburban services for a time, then as a mailing centre during World War II, a reception centre for prisoners of war, and even as a film set. By the 1970s, the station was neglected and a permit was even granted for its demolition to make way for a hotel complex. However, a growing public awareness of its architectural value led to a campaign to save it. The building was listed as a historic monument in 1978, and the French government, under President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, made the landmark decision to transform it into a museum.

The Transformation into a Museum

The ambitious project aimed to create a museum dedicated to the art of the second half of the 19th century, bridging the chronological gap between the collections of the Louvre and the National Museum of Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou. The conversion, which began in 1978, was a complex undertaking. The architects had to preserve Victor Laloux's magnificent structure while creating suitable spaces for displaying art. The grand central nave, once filled with railway tracks, became a spectacular sculpture alley flooded with natural light from the vaulted glass ceiling. It took six months just to install the 2,000 paintings and 600 sculptures before the grand opening.

A Timeline of the Musée d'Orsay

Frequently asked questions

When did the Gare d'Orsay stop being a train station?

The Gare d'Orsay ceased its main-line passenger services in 1939. The station's platforms were too short to accommodate the longer, modern trains that had become standard.

Who designed the Musée d'Orsay building?

The original building, the Gare d'Orsay, was designed by architect Victor Laloux, along with Lucien Magne and Émile Bénard. The conversion into a museum was led by a team of architects including Renaud Bardon, Pierre Colboc, and Jean-Paul Philippon.

Why was the Musée d'Orsay created?

The Musée d'Orsay was created to house French and European art from the period 1848 to 1914. It fills the gap between the older collections of the Louvre Museum and the modern art collections of the Centre Pompidou.

Experience this unique piece of Parisian history for yourself. Plan your visit and consider one of the guided tours to fully appreciate the story behind the art.