Walking over to Musée d'Orsay in Paris

Since we purchased the Billet jumele Orangerie Orsay that grants admission to both l'Orangerie and Musée d'Orsay, we head over the Musée d'Orsay the next day.  The ticket collector at l'Orangerie wrote "Door C" on our ticket to let us know to use the entrance for ticket holders, avoiding the long line, and also drew a little heart on the ticket (we must look as if we're having fun!).

The walk down the Champs Elysses to Musée d'Orsay is bright and cheerful as the trees and flowers are all starting recognize and celebrate spring.  As we pass a corner of the Grand Palais, we discover a small garden that, in all our trips to Paris, we've probably passed many times, but never noticed.

 Garden at the corner of the Grand Palais

Leaving the peaceful garden, and crossing the street to the banks of the Seine, we spot the decorative rows of trees lining the bank and defining the small park along the river.

 Rows of trees along the Seine

But, we're on our way to the museum and need to get moving, but first, two pictures of the Grand Palais, from the near-by corner and from further down the Seine, near Musee d'Orsay.

 Grand Palais

We enter Musee d'Orsay and immediately head up to the top floor for the fabulous impressionist collection.

 Impressionism at Musee d'Orsay

The galleries are packed, but there is still room and time to appreciate the great works.  In addition, the views outside, particularly of Montmarte in the distance, are fabulous distractions as we wander from gallery to gallery.

 Views from Musee d'Orsay

We finish our visit with stops at some of the exhibits on the lower floors, more great art, some of which we recognize, some of which is new to us.

 More famous art everywhere

And, one of our favorites, a miniature Paris under the floor, allowing us to walk over it and look at our favorite Paris spots from above.

 Paris Opera, from above, miniature, under the floor

With that, we wind up our visit to Musee d'Orsay and head toward the Luxembourg Gardens for our afternoon adventure.