from

$96

Paris
Semi-private Musée d'Orsay tour​

Semi-Private Musée d'Orsay Tour with Timed Entry Tickets

Free CancellationTrusted Partner

Admire pieces by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more alongside an expert guide and ultra-small group

Free CancellationTrusted Partner

2 h


Max 6 Guests

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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.

View Renoir and the Impressionists

Head to the upper level of the museum to see the bright colors of Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette. Your guide shares fun stories about the artists' lives in Paris. You will see how they used quick brushstrokes to capture sunlight and happy social scenes.

Face the intensity of Van Gogh

Experience the thick paint and bold colors of Van Gogh’s Starry Night Over the Rhone. You will learn about the artist's difficult life and why his style is so unique. Seeing these world-famous paintings up close is the highlight of any museum visit.

Your tour finishes inside the museum

Your guided journey concludes in the heart of the main galleries. Since your tickets are valid for the whole day, you can stay longer to explore the sculptures or visit the cafe. Your guide can give you tips on which areas to see next.

For Reference Only. Itineraries are subject to change

Select participants and date

Start times are in the product’s local time

Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance!

Mon, 28 Sep 2026

Meeting and drop-off point

You'll meet your guide in front of the Musée d'Orsay, at the foot of a large statue of an elephant.

Important Details

Good to know:

  • Dress Code: While there is no specific dress code to enter the Musée d'Orsay, you could be denied entry if you are wearing inappropriate clothing such as a swimsuit.

  • Accessibility: The Musée d'Orsay is wheelchair accessible, but if you have any doubts about your mobility, please contact us beforehand so we can best cater to your needs.

  • Bag Policy: Large bags, backpacks, and luggage are not allowed inside the museum.

  • Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can begin the tour on time.

Your 2-hour tour includes:

  • Expert English-speaking guide

  • Timed entrance ticket to Musée d'Orsay

  • Reservation fee for the Musée d'Orsay

  • Intimate encounters with Impressionist masterpieces

  • Admire pieces by Monet, Renoir, Manet, Cézanne, Degas, Van Gogh, and more!

  • Personalized attention in a small group setting

What to bring:

  • Comfortable shoes

  • Camera

  • Water

See what people are saying

4.97

123 Ratings

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119

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Awesome Tour with Terrific Tour Guide

Regina S.

Verified Review

September 20, 2026

Claudia was amazing. So knowledgable and showed us all the wonderful museum items that you will not want to miss.

Enjoyable Tour

William W.

Verified Review

September 04, 2026

Claudia was very knowledgeable and knew the museum well. It would have been helpful to have an overview of the museum’s layout upfront and inquiry into particular artists that were favorites or one’s we specifically wanted to see. But it was a great overview and very thorough.

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.

FAQs

What to bring?

Comfortable shoes and a curious mind!

Where to meet?

You'll meet your guide in front of the Musée d'Orsay, at the foot of a large statue of an elephant.

Is this tour run by The Tour Guy?

No, this tour is operated by one of our trusted and vetted partners in Paris.

What if I have concerns about my mobility on this tour?

Musée d'Orsay is wheelchair accessible, but if you have any doubts about your mobility, please let us know beforehand so we can best cater to your needs.

What happens if it rains?

We run our Musée d'Orsay tours rain or shine. If the weather is extremely bad and the Musée d'Orsay is closed, we'll inform you as soon as possible.

Is there a dress code to enter the Musée d'Orsay?

While there is no specific dress code to enter the Musée d'Orsay, you could be denied entry if you are wearing inappropriate clothing such as a swimsuit.

Is lunch or dinner included in the price of the tour?

No, but our knowledgeable guides will happily point out excellent places to eat after your tour.

Are drinks included in the price of the tour?

No, but our knowledgeable guides will happily point out excellent places to grab a drink after your tour.

Where does this tour end?

This tour ends inside the Musée d'Orsay. You're welcome to stay as long as you like and continue your exploration at your leisure.