Musée d'Orsay — Local services in Paris

Well you'd have to go here, if you visit Paris. So we did. It was almost fun and undoubtedly Musee d'Orsay more extensively and exhaustively visited than we did, would draw more accolades. We went especially to see the van Gogh "A Auvers-sur-Oise' display so didn't hang too long exploring all the nooks and crannies.

Like at the Musee d'Orangerie, entrance is a slalom of different queues; those "pre-booked and time-slotted", those not. Both queues queue perhaps one less than the other. You'll be outside with not much to see so engage fellow queuers and increase your knowledge of mankind. Time will pass.

Inside it was busy so its best to put on your dodge'em shoes and weave your way through what's on show. Most of your photo's will be of others also photographing. If you are short it's best to take stilts with you.

This museum gave me the feeling of being run by cash-conscious types; they have managed to spread out the museum shop into a number of different corners so you will certainly not miss them; have they hired people who design duty-free outlets at airports could be one of your wonders?

The van Gogh exhibition underwhelmed; you have to be persuaded by all the hype around van Gogh to really appreciate it. I think the museum could have done a better job designing and hosting this exhibition. The hype led to it being far too crowded, far to much queueing, far too many guides holding forth with their horde blocking others from seeing anything. Far too many pushy-people elbowing you out of the way.

But if you are in Paris .... well you have...

We went there to get the train to Versailles. But surprise, the ticket Office was closed and the ticket machine only accepted cards or the exact amount of the ticket in cash We had 20 euros and asked to change it to a shop located next to the ticket machine. But he said no for no reason. Result? We had to give up on going to Versailles because we had no way to buy the train ticket. All of this happened on a regular working wednesday. What...

Haven’t been for 15 years. 5th Floor for me. Impressionists and Post/impressionists. Just brilliant to stand amidst so many great works. The Gaugin carvings interesting addition. Vincent of course remains stunning. And the special Degas exhibition on the ground similarly phenomenal with so many works brought together from around the world. And first Sunday of the month meant it was free entry....