\paperw19995 \margr0\margl0 \plain \fs20 \f1 The Orsay Railway Station (Gare dÆOrsay) was designed exclusively for use by passenger trains and was particularly comfortab
le and luxurious in appearance. The complex originally also comprised a large and refined hotel. Constructed in less than two years, the building was inaugurated on July 14, 1900, on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition. Following the definitive c
losure of the railroad line, LalouxÆs imposing architecture changed its function several times, and even risked demolition.\par
In 1973, when the government led by Georges Pompidou approved the project for a museum that would exhibit a complete collecti
on of nineteenth century art, the Gare dÆOrsay was chosen as the obvious location for this ambitious plan. Thanks to the work of restructuring and interior design carried out by Gae Aulenti in 1980, the MusΘe dÆOrsay was inaugurated in 1986. The collec
tion of Impressionist paintings lies at the heart of the museum.
