I flew from Italy to meet my mom and dad for a weekend in Paris when I studied abroad in 2004. This trip was especially dear to me as I attribute much of my passion for art and art history to my mother. It was really amazing to tour these museums (especially the Louvre) with her and my dad and share those experiences. The Musée d'Orsay was another of those museums. The history of this renovated train station, turned movie set, turned art museum for 18-19th century art is definitely a "must-see" when in Paris. I particularly enjoyed the architecture caught on camera as well as the many famous works of art; paintings, sculpture and decorative arts all fantastically lit in this 3-story museum. We visited early in the day, and there is a wonderful little cafe off rue de Lille next to the museum where one could pick up a light breakfast and espresso before heading in.

My favorite part of this museum was the sculpture "garden", if you will, which litters the entire common area of the first floor. The beautiful marbles are entrancing and being able to walk around them provides different, yet magical interpretations to each of us.

Aside from the Degas pieces, I was so thrilled to find both famous and obscure pieces by Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir, Seurat and so many others.

This Nouveau piece caught my eye.

Address: 62, rue de Lille Paris 75343, France

Tel: 33 01 40 49 48 14