Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue

Quai d'Orsay Museum, Paris, France

The Quai d'Orsay Museum is an excellent example of the reconversion of a former rail station. The central location of the Station by the Seine River and the large amount of available space fitted very well the requirements of a world class museum. The station was inaugurated in 1900 for the Paris International Exposition and remained in use as a railway station until 1939. It then served several uses, including a theater. In 1986, the former rail station was inaugurated as a museum.