Museums were completely closed for several months in France and around the world. The reopening is done gradually, especially with that of the Musée d'Orsay. An exhibition is already underway and will continue until September.
The Musée d'Orsay, a story like no other
The current Musée d'Orsay is located on the former Palais d'Orsay built in 1810, burned by insurgents in 1871 during the Paris Commune, an uprising against the government that had just been elected. This reaction follows the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, it also demonstrates the opposition between the republicans and the monarchists. The great writer Emile Zola describes this drama in La débâcle " The huge fire, the most huge, the most frightening, the giant stone cube, with two floors of porticoes, vomiting flames. The four buildings, which surrounded the large inner courtyard, had caught fire at once; And there, the oil, poured full tons down the four stairs, at the four corners, had trickled down, rolling along the steps of the torrents of hell.This monument was left in ruins for 30 years, until it was rebuilt into a train station by Victor Laloux. It was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900 to welcome visitors. His hotel will also be built for the same reason. Facing the Louvre and the Tuileries and overlooking the Quai de Seine, it is in the center of Paris, located in a strategic location. Laloux will make this place a splendor, moreover at the forefront of technology. Lifts for luggage, elevators, electric traction .. 
But progress goes fast! 40 years later, the platforms will become too short and will no longer be able to accommodate mainline trains. The station was then used as an expedition center, a reception center for prisoners of war, an auction house and even the residence of a theater company. In 1958, rail traffic completely disappeared from the Gare d'Orsay. It was also used as a setting for several films, including The Trial of Kafka adapted by Orson Welles.
The hotel closed later on January 1, 1973. It should be noted that it was in the Salle des Fêtes that General de Gaulle held a press conference in front of more than 500 journalists to announce his return to power in May 1958.
In 1977, President Giscard-d'Estaing proposed to transform this sublime place with its famous large clock, into a museum. It was in 1981 that President François Mitterand set up this project. Thus, in 1983 and for three years, the old station became the Museum we know. At the end of 1986, the museum finally opened its doors to the general public. Renowned for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works, the Musée d'Orsay attracts more than 3 million visitors a year. A huge figure significantly reduced following the lockdown.
A reopening after confinement
This historic site, whose collections date from 1848 to 1914, finally reopens its doors to visitors. Although the premises are accessible again, the general administrator of the Musée d'Orsay and the Orangerie Francis Steinbock, explains:
"A beautiful summer day is between 10,000 and 12,000 visitors a day. There, we expect a maximum of 4,000 visitors. At the Musée d'Orsay, we have about 60% foreign visitors. […]The consequences are indeed very important. We estimate at several tens of millions the financial loss over the year 2020 that we will have to absorb. ''
A significant loss for the museum. Nevertheless, the ticket seat limits are a boon for visitors since they will be able to visit without stepping on each other. https://twitter.com/MuseeOrsay/status/1275330249111343109?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1275330249111343109&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Factu.fr%2File-de-france%2Fparis_75056%2Fl-histoire-peu-banale-du-musee-d-orsay-a-paris_34466960.html
James Tissot, from June 23 to September 13
The Musée d'Orsay reopens its doors on Tuesday 23 June with a retrospective exhibition on the French painter James Tissot (1836-1902). The first since 1985. Although we discover it three months late, we will be able to trace the career of this modern artist. The exhibition will bring together a hundred works including sixty paintings. As Paul Perrin, curator at the Musée d'Orsay and co-curator of the exhibition, explains:
"Since 1985 we know better the work of James Tissot, paintings have reappeared, there has been research. And during the preparation of the exhibition we made a lot of discoveries. Itwas time to propose a new presentation of his work".
A visit that promises to be unique and rich in culture. To book tickets, visit the Musée d'Orsay website. 
