The Orsay Museum is home to some of the most celebrated masterpieces of the 19th century, making it a must-see for art lovers. Skip the hassle of navigating the large crowds with our semi-private tour, offering expert guidance and an in-depth experience of the museum's finest works. With unique access to the museum's highlights and insightful commentary from a passionate guide, you’ll uncover the stories behind iconic art in a relaxed, immersive way.
What's included
Expert English-speaking guide
Musée d'Orsay timed entry tickets
Van Gogh masterpiece viewing
Impressionist gallery access
Fast access to famous art
Guide tips
Itinerary
Meet your guide in front of the main entrance to the Musée d'Orsay
Meet your guide at the foot of the large elephant statue in front of the main museum entrance. You will receive your timed entry tickets and hear about how this grand building was once a busy railway station. Your group will then head straight inside to start the art adventure.
Enter the historic Gare d'Orsay
Step into the main hall of the museum to see the high glass ceilings and giant station clocks. Your guide explains how the building was saved from being torn down to house France's national art collection. The light in this space makes it one of the most beautiful settings in Paris.
See the sculptures by Charles Cordier
Walk through the museum's ground floor to see striking sculptures like the African Venus. These bronze and marble works show how artists in the 19th century began to explore different cultures. Your guide will explain the history behind these detailed and colorful figures.
Admire Monet’s Luncheon on the Grass
View one of Claude Monet's massive early paintings that shows his first steps toward Impressionism. Even though it was never finished, you can see how he began to experiment with natural light and outdoor scenes. This piece is a key part of the museum's story of modern art.
Discover the scandal of Olympia
Stand before Manet’s famous painting, Olympia, which shocked the art world when it was first shown. You will learn why this work was so controversial and how it changed the way artists painted forever. It is one of the most important pieces in the entire museum.
For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change
Select participants and date
Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!
Wed, 19 Aug 2026
Meeting and drop-off point
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Important Details
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4.98
121 Ratings
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Janice & Jake Meyer
Janice M.
Verified Review
July 10, 2026
Liz was our tour guide. She was fabulous. Very knowledgeable & sharing of her passion for the art & history. Also maneuvered us very well through the crowds. We enjoyed the tour very much.
James S.
Verified Review
June 18, 2026
Superb!
Daniel G.
Verified Review
June 06, 2026
If you say “museum” and “Paris,” the Louvre might immediately come to mind. But we’d say don’t miss the Orsay. This one exceeded all expectations. Our guide was amazing. The art was incredible. And the whole family learned so much while having FUN! Definitely a highlight of our entire trip.
Made a great impression on us!!
stephanie E.
Verified Review
June 02, 2026
We had an amazing tour with Nikolas today at the Musee D’Orsay. He was an amazing tour guide, with a great understanding of art and how it reflects society and history. He really dug deep into the different styles of art (traditional, impressionist, sculpture etc.) and shared so much about each artist. He made the tour really relate to each person in the group. After his tour we stayed and looked at more of the exhibitions. This is a marvelous museum and our tour was a highlight of our trip to Paris.
Excellent tour!
Robin P.
Verified Review
April 03, 2026
This was an amazing tour. Pierre was so knowledgeable and fun, he provided many additional details and navigated us seamlessly through the crowds. I would not have had the same experience without him and highly recommend doing, especially as a solo traveler.
We did not have a tour
Tori W.
Verified Review
March 17, 2026
Hello, I have been trying to fix this all day. My party showed up early to do the tour and no guide showed and when I called the business line the person was unhelpful and would only say she could do an investigation, not give a refund. When I was able to contact the third party company who was running the tour they said there were no available tours left for the time my group is here, in spite of me buying a semi-private tour to mitigate this issue. Unhappy I don’t get to see Musee d’Orsay, to say the least
Shared Wonder
Leona G.
Verified Review
December 29, 2025
Wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much alone. The guide’s context made the art meaningful. Truly worth doing this in a group, not just wandering.
Zane C.
Verified Review
December 28, 2025
Art Felt Personal
Gage N.
Verified Review
December 25, 2025
The guide’s storytelling made the artwork feel close and relatable. Instead of distant masterpieces, the paintings felt connected to real people and emotions.
Lasting Impression
Elara B.
Verified Review
December 22, 2025
I keep thinking about the art we saw. It left a lasting impression. The guide’s energy made it even more special.
Quarry H.
Verified Review
December 20, 2025
Quietly Impressive Tour
Valen Z.
Verified Review
December 18, 2025
Nothing felt flashy or rushed, yet the experience stayed with me. The calm approach made the beauty of the museum stand out even more.
Golden Gallery
Oona H.
Verified Review
December 15, 2025
Such an impressive collection! I could tell our guide loved sharing her knowledge. My favorite part was hearing about the artists’ daily lives.
Thoughtful Paris Experience
Kemp V.
Verified Review
December 11, 2025
This tour fit perfectly into our Paris visit. It offered culture, history, and calm all at once, without feeling tiring or overwhelming.
Clay S.
Verified Review
December 11, 2025
Van Gogh
Brick L.
Verified Review
December 08, 2025
Everything, even the last day, went well. I heartily enjoyed the way the guide explained Van Gogh’s artistic life. Too glad that we did not miss this.
A Smooth Art Walk
Quest T.
Verified Review
December 05, 2025
Moving through the museum felt natural and unforced. The guide gave us time to absorb each space while sharing just the right amount of information.
Magnus M.
Verified Review
December 02, 2025
Softly Flowing
Veldt O.
Verified Review
December 01, 2025
The party was small so we took our time. The guide did not rush us at all, and the explanation was clear. A very pleasant visit.
Art Without Confusion
Thayer W.
Verified Review
November 28, 2025
The museum can feel intimidating, but this tour removed that feeling entirely. Everything was explained clearly, making the experience comfortable and enjoyable.
Paris Highlight
Dora A.
Verified Review
November 24, 2025
We did lots of tours in Paris, and this one was unique. The guide was entertaining and interesting. And we learned that artwork can be exciting. It was worth it.
Zeke A.
Verified Review
November 23, 2025
Dream Moment
Zuri J.
Verified Review
November 21, 2025
It was surreal to be standing in front of Van Gogh's paintings. The tour guide pointed out all the details that would have passed unnoticed had they come on their own. It was every art buff's dream.
Culture Trip
Remy F.
Verified Review
November 18, 2025
Every minute was significant here. The museum has too many treasures to name, but our guide was very helpful in giving us insight into them all. Fantastic to learn more about the culture here in France in this manner.
Smooth From Start
Frost R.
Verified Review
November 14, 2025
From the meeting point to the final gallery, everything felt organized and seamless, creating a relaxed and enjoyable visit.
