Hi Dave,
Yep, we went last weekend and really enjoyed it. Very similar experience to your own. We arrived at 2.45pm on the Thursday and queued for 20mins to enjoy the exhibition until 5pm -- which was enough for me though I think my art-loving wife would perhaps have enjoyed another hour.
Agree, the best stuff was in the first two rooms which were the most crowded until 20 mins before close when they thinned right out. So I went back there and spent the last 20 mins there not quite in solitude but no "scrum" as you say.
Starry night on the Rhone is a wonderful work (spent a total of about 20 mins looking it) as is Van Gogh's self-portrait and painting of his room. Like you I also liked the Monet and Seurat works. The experience was well worth the time and money.
Parking was problematic though ...
Best,
Les D