Greetings to everyone. I will be spending a wonderful spring vacation in France for two weeks, but with a very limited time in Paris. If you had to choose just one of the many art museums in Paris, which one would you say has the best/largest Impressionist collection? Thanks in advance!

No question - the Musee D'Orsay. It has the best collection of Impressionists probably in all of Paris.

And second best is the Musee Marmotan, which is a little out of the way in a great neighborhood near the Bois de Bologne. It has a major collection of Monets (including "Impression Sunrise" which provided the name for the whole style)and other impressionists.

And don't overlook the opportunity for an excellent, affordable, elegant lunch in the main dining room of M d'O. Better than you might get for dinner at three times the price in a lot of "upscale" restaurants in Paris - - and oh, what a beautiful setting. <BR> <BR>

Without a doubt it's the Musee D'Orsay. Not only does it have incredible impressionism, it also has a wonderful collection of works by Van Gogh. My wife had to drag me out.

There is a good collection of paintings by Monet in Musee Marmottan. Michel Monet contributed approximately 100 of his father's paintings to the museum. <BR>Musee de l'Orangerie has paintings by Renoir, Cezanne, and Monet. Eight paintings of Monet's The Water Lillies are also there. Of course many of those paintings go out on loan and are gone for extended periods. <BR>The Petit Palais on Avenue Winston Churchill has a few by Cezanne and Renoir. <BR> <BR>

Here is the web site to see the Orsay. <BR> <BR>http://www.smartweb.fr/orsay/index.html

Sandi, Hands down, no contest, over before it started -- it's the Musee D'Orsay -- then again, everybody else has said the same thing. So, maybe you want to go to a second one? It's a tie between l'Orangerie and the Marmottan, with my preference being for l'Orangerie.

Sandi, as everyone has said, the Orsay is the first choice. My second choice would be the Picasso. When I was there is September, they had some a great show including some amazing Degas that were a long way from the ballet series (a series in a brothel), some interesting pieces in Picasso personal collection and also, his own wonderful works. There is also the plus that you can hang around the Marais district before or after.

Orsay-------It will blow you away.

When I was at the Marmotan last spring I went late in the day, about an hour before closing. There were only about 10 other people in the whole museum. At times I was alone in the rooms where I could walk right up and get just inches from the paintings and see every brush stroke (I'm quite nearsighted). Now, that's the way I like to visit a museum!

Orsay, no question. But if you are really pressed for time, go right to the top floor of the Orsay and cover every corner there first. You'll be overwhelmed just after the top floor. Then if you can, work your way down. But start at the top floor. Take a break and have a coffee in the cafe; great view of the right bank, incl Sacre Coeur (sp?).

Thank you, all of you, for the advice. I sincerely appreciate the comments and opinions. Will definitely try to get to both the D'Orsay and Marmotan. I do wish I could have time to visit the Louvre also, but I don't think that will be possible. I'm sure that I will have to plan a second trip someday just for Paris. I am taking the 14-day escorted tour of France with Brendan Tours and will have one fairly full day on my own in Paris (the day I arrive, about 8:00 a.m.) and the second day will be part of the tour, but will get to see several places. <BR> <BR>Anyway, thanks again. Will probably have more questions as the time draws nearer to my departure. <BR>

Hi Sandi, <BR> <BR>Be sure to give us a complete report on your tour. I'm particularly interested in hearing about Brendan tours.

Don't know what days you will be in Paris, but when I was there two years ago the Orsay was open until 10:00 on Thursdays. Might help if you are there at the right time of week.