Orsay Renovation Complete: Success? Yes.

The Musee d'Orsay has reopened the redesigned Impressionist Galleries and the new spaces are stunning. In a rather radical departure from the prior light color scheme in the galleries, the walls are now painted a deep grey colour which showcases the paintings remarkably well.

The Van Gogh collection is now on a lower floor. And there is a new gallery on the top floor for temporary shows that are of the era of the French art in the Orsay but not French. At present there is an exhibition of works by a Finnish artist that is one of those surprisingly beautiful shows that delights.

The Orsay is still open late on Thursday nights and you can buy a combo pass (to be used in the same day) with the nearby Rodin Museum. Also on the Paris Museum Card...

Newly Rennovated Orsay Museum Opens

The Orsay, with its stunning collection of impressionist painters, sculptures and decorative arts from the turn of the (20th) century era, has reopened after a thorough renovation. The art is now displayed against a soft grey background, a color palette carefully chosen to highlight the tones within the paintings. The cafes and restaurants have all been redone to improve the visitor experience. It will be wonderful to be able to re-visit all our favorites in this stunning rehab of a grand old train station once again!

And a little further afield, be sure to catch the exhibition of the Stein family private collections at the Grand Palais. Rich in Picasso's, Matisse, Braque and so much more, this private collection is a lovely compliment to the works in the Orsay.

Summer In Paris

Summertime in Paris always brings special events worth noting. Here is a selection to enjoy.

Paris Plage: oui, the beach returns to Paris. From the 20th of July to the 20th of August the quais of the Seine in central Paris are turned, somewhat magically, into a beach. Sand is trucked in, ephemeral cafés sprout up, volley ball nets appear, beach chairs abound. There are even palm trees. No, you can't swim in the Seine but there IS a temporary swimming pool placed near the lovely Hotel de Ville. www.parisplages.fr

Speaking of the Hotel de Ville, this is the site of a gorgeous (and free) exhibition of French Impressionist paintings from the Musée d'Orsay until July 23. The Orsay is still undergoing its major renovation of the Impressionist galleries and this show, Paris At the Time of the Impressionists, is a winner. 5 rue de Lobau, Paris 4.

And, the Paris Jazz Festival runs through July 31 in the lovely Parc Floral within the Bois de Vincennes. www.parisjazzfestival.fr

Combo deals on great Paris Museums

In Paris for only a few days and don't want to buy a two or four day Museum and Monuments Pass?

Here are a couple of sweet 'combo' tickets that may be of interest. Just discovered these when trying to figure out how a client could pack both Rodin Museum, Napoleon's Tomb at Invalides and the incomparable Orsay museum into one day. You must use these combos on the same day but if they work for you, this is a good option!

1.  The Musée d'Orsay /Musée de l'Orangerie Passport: 1 ticket for 2 museums on the same day, from Wednesday to Sunday  €13

2.  The Musée d'Orsay - Musée Rodin Passport: One ticket to visit two museums on the same day.  € 12 instead of € 14

3.  Keep your ticket!  In the week following the date on your Musée d'Orsay entrance ticket you can take advantage of reduced rates  to buy a ticket for the Gustave Moreau National Museum and also to visit the Palais Garnier (Paris National Opera).  

Remember, the Orsay is closed Tuesdays.  It is also open late on Thursdays, until 9 p.m. and these evenings never seem to be so crowded.  I'll be  on the lookout for other new combo options!