MUSÉE D’ORSAY ARCHITECTURE

The Orsay Station: A Beaux-Arts masterpiece

The Gare d’Orsay railway station was built in the intricate Beaux-Arts style, which blends classical design with modern materials like steel and glass to reflect the technological progress of the late 19th century. It was also inspired by contemporary American railway stations. The building has a steel frame, large glass windows, a barrel-vaulted hall, and a white limestone exterior to blend with the surrounding area and the Louvre.

Seven arched doors lead into the main hall, which faces the center. The roof leans toward the Louvre, and the facade is decorated with sculptures of lion heads, oak branches, and laurel leaves. Architect Victor Laloux designed the station with modern features like luggage ramps, elevators, and a hotel.

Preserving historical features

In the 1980s, with government funding, the ACT Architecture group restored the Gare d’Orsay. Architects Pierre Colboc, Renaud Bardon, and Jean-Paul Philippon added 20,000 square meters of exhibition space. Italian architect Gae Aulenti redesigned the interior, introducing key features like the two towers at the end of the central hall. The design preserved the original architecture while adapting it for the museum, emphasizing the grand hall as the main pathway. Aulenti worked with Jean-Baptiste and Richard Peduzzi on the architectural and scenographic design. The project balanced the preservation of the station’s neoclassical features with the needs of a modern museum. Elements like the central train hall, glass roof, steel beams, and large clock were kept, while the ceiling rosettes were restored and modified to include air-conditioning and soundproofing. This combination of history and innovation made the museum functional while preserving its historical charm.

Space planning for the museum’s collections

The interior layout was designed to show 19th and early 20th-century art, including works by the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, Realists, and Symbolists. Aulenti’s design spread galleries across three levels around an atrium under the iconic iron-and-glass barrel vault. The ground floor, once a train platform, was divided by stone structures to make space for sculptures and galleries for paintings and decorative arts. The central hall became the grand entrance, maintaining its open space for a dramatic first impression and adapting it for large sculptures and installations. The upper floors were organized into galleries by themes, with large windows and lighting to highlight the artwork. Escalators and staircases connected all museum levels for easy access.

The arrangements of the exhibits

One of the key innovations of the Orsay Museum architecture was its display of various art forms from 1848 to 1914, including painting, sculpture, architecture, decorative arts, and photography, all shown together to provide a complete view of the era’s artistic achievements. The exhibits were organized across three levels, grouped by themes and styles. The Impressionist paintings are displayed on the fifth floor, in a gallery that spans the entire length of the fifth floor along the Seine side of the museum. The museum also holds architectural drawings from the original design of the station by Victor Laloux and its transformation into a museum.

Furnishings and interior decor

In line with the concept of creating a modern, functional space while keeping the museum’s historic charm, the furniture was minimalist and practical and designed to blend in. Visitors’ comfort was a priority, with benches and seating placed throughout the galleries.

Museum facilities and visitor experience

The museum’s layout focused on creating an easy and smooth visitor experience with clear signage and a simple layout. Several cafés and rest areas were carefully placed to offer relaxation without disrupting the galleries. The shop and administrative areas were located on lower levels to ensure they did not interfere with the art experience.