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February 21, 2016 By Hailey

Wooed by the Musée d’Orsay

As we travel and explore the world around us, we invariably wander into museums here and there. As time passes, we collect an indeterminable tally of standard-museum-visits that eventually fade from memory. Yet, that may not be the case for a select few. I believe that some museums stick with us for life.

Take a moment to reflect and remember…
Does a particular museum hold a special place in your heart, even if years have passed since you roamed its halls? Has a historical exhibit permanently impacted your perspective on a subject, issue or event? Have you ever been blown away by the displays within a science hall? Has a particular work or collection of art ever struck a chord within you, eliciting unforgettable emotions? Or, as can happen on the rarest and most wonderful of occasions, has a museum seduced you with everything its got – concept and content, structure and architecture, design and delivery?

In my almost 30 years of life, I have fallen in love with a number of museums around the world, and I deeply treasure my time spent with three art museums in particular: The Frick Collection in New York City, the Prado Museum in Madrid, and the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. Recently, I paid a visit to the d’Orsay while in Paris and fell in love with this former acquaintance of mine all over again. This is my story.

~*~

Upon walking into the Musée d’Orsay, Cupid’s arrow struck me immediately. I stood at the top of the main staircase, frozen in wonder at the marvelous sight before me. A former train station that barely survived demolition, the elegant grand gallery sprawled out underneath a cavernous dome studded by a coffered ceiling of steel flourishes. Soft light filtered through frosted glass and then settled on the fluid, yet immovable, figures stationed in the central hallway below. Pulled in by the magnetism of the d’Orsay, I took one cautious step down the stairs and then let it sweep me away into artistic oblivion.

As I savored the exhibition of classical statues and painted canvases, unexpected images halted my wandering steps abruptly – the hypnotizing stare of a young girl in a portrait, the graceful curves of a woman in marble, the vibrant flower petals miraculously bursting forth from a framed still life. I stood transfixed by their beauty and gazed upon masterpieces that evoked wonder and joy within me.

When I reached the Impressionists Gallery on the uppermost floor, the works of artists such as Monet, Degas, and Renoir reaffirmed my deep fondness for their distinctive style. I stepped up close to admire the detail of their work, the dash of a brush, thick streaks of paint. Then, I moved away to witness how the lighting and coloring – the periwinkle blues and vibrant teals, splashes of yellow and touches of soft pink – all blurred together in a swirl of movement. The lively scenes of ballerinas, waterfronts and cityscapes, fields and flowers each whispered romantic sweet nothings to my heart and brought a smile to my lips. The collection lifted my spirits, and I felt as refreshed as a daisy under the warm sun of spring.

Upon reentering the central atrium, one glance at the grandiose timepiece mounted above the staircase exposed my extreme infatuation for the Musée d’Orsay. Hours had passed, and yet I couldn’t bear to leave! My heart had been stirred with emotion, and I was high on the love of art. Inside the walls of this Parisian landmark, it seemed to me as if 1,000 plays had been set in motion, and I wanted more of those performances.

So, I walked through the entire museum for a second time.

On that day, the Musée d’Orsay wooed my heart with every facet of its being, and I readily melted into its amorous embrace. Eventually, I knew it was time to say Adieu to my lovely companion, as reality pulled me from my pleasant daydream. After one final, wistful look around the main hall, I stepped out into the streets of Paris and promised to remember this darling museum forever.


Bonjour! Are you a romantic like me? Has your heart ever been wooed by a museum? (Or do you think that’s a silly notion?) Have you been to the d’Orsay in Paris? Are you interested in art museums or do you prefer other kinds of exhibitions? Please, share your museum story in the comment section below!

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Comments

  1. Paige says

    February 22, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    The Musée d’Orsay is my favorite too! The Louvre gets all the hype and people overlook the other incredible museums in Paris. I enjoyed the Musée Marmottan and Fondation Louis Vuitton, but d’Orsay is #1 in my book.

    http://bakersfieldblonde.com/2015/06/09/paris-museums-beyond-the-louvre/

    Reply
    • Hailey says

      February 23, 2016 at 1:15 pm

      Paige – I’m glad you agree about the d’Orsay, and I love your post on other Paris museums! I had intentions to visit the LV Foundation when I was there last month… but my ankle couldn’t take any more walking about. It’s on my list for the next time I’m in Paris! Thanks for sharing :)

      Reply

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Hailey Domeck is a Southern girl with a Spanish heart and Swiss soul.

As a wife, mom, and travel addict, her love for mountains, fairy-tales, and great food keep her mind and heart always on the lookout for the next great adventure.

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For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the For me, this year was all about #motherhood - the beauty of growing a child in the womb and then nurturing a precious newborn around the clock; the wild roller coaster of shepherding a toddler, whose contagious joy and  stubborn defiance make each day a challenge and a gift; the mundane tasks that help make a home feel warm and welcoming; and a bunch of other things. 

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• T H A N K F U L • We are saying thanks for • T H A N K F U L • 

We are saying thanks for all things in life this week. It’s so easy to get stuck on either the big picture or the tiny details, but I believe it’s important to take it all in - like I did on this ridge overlooking #Manang Village last year while trekking the #AnnapurnaCircuit in #Nepal. 

Creating a culture of gratitude takes intentionality and discipline... and it’s especially not easy when babies and toddlers demand so much of you at all hours of the day and night. Yet, here we are at the start of the holiday season, and I’m choosing to be grateful for the whole lot. 

What are you thankful for this year?
Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳 I don’t have a Hooray, it’s the weekend! 🥳

I don’t have any big plans today (#newbornlife), but I’m recalling the joy of “Heidi Hailey” in the Himalayas last November. ☺️ Shout out to @thatdutchieguy for bringing his Polaroid camera on our #CreateConnectNepal journey... what a fun way to capture special moments, - like my favorite stretch of the #AnnapurnaCircuit in the #Manang District ❣️

What are you up to this weekend?
As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s j As I sit here nursing an 8-week old babe, it’s just wild to me that on this date exactly one year ago, I was walking among giants and completed the most difficult hike of my life. 

On November 11, 2019, the #CreateConnectNepal team and I went up and over the Thorong La Pass. At 17,769 feet (5416m), this is the pinnacle of the Annapurna Circuit and one of the highest mountain passes in the world. The day began in the dark with a grueling 4+ hour ascent through snow-kissed trails and then required a fierce descent down a bone dry valley. It demanded everything of me. 

Yet, that day up and over Thorong La was just one part of my epic adventure in #Nepal last November. I am eternally grateful for that experience and cherish those memories dearly. I also miss those people a lot. ❣️
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