Musée d'Orsay Tour: A Guided Crash Course

Explore works from the Realists, Impressionists, Cubists and more with an art historian
From US$600 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
Musée d'Orsay
Photos & Highlights
  • Take a captivating journey through the museum, once a railway station turned into an art haven, as you explore masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries
  • Looking to book this tour during the Olympic Games? Check back in with us in early 2024 when Paris venues announce their summer availability.
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Tour Description
Embark on an immersive journey through the Musée d'Orsay that unveils the museum's fascinating history and showcases the evolution of its collections. You'll start your adventure by delving into the unique architecture of this former rail station, which was transformed into a museum in 1986.

As you step into the galleries, your focus turns to dozens of masterpieces on display. Taking a chronological approach, your tour begins on the ground floor, where the Barbizon school and Corot's works take center stage. These artists boldly broke free from traditional constraints, emphasizing nature and atmosphere, casting off the rules of antiquity and classicism.

Moving forward, you'll dive into the groundbreaking techniques and ideas of Realist artists like Courbet and Manet, tracing their influence on the future Impressionists. Witness the radical departure from tradition as Impressionism spread its wings through the mesmerizing works of Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Pissarro.

Your journey continues as you explore the profound impact of Impressionism on artists like Cézanne and Van Gogh. From there, you'll move into various movements such as Neo-impressionism, Fauvism, and Pointillism. You'll round off your tour by delving into these diverse movements, immersing yourself in the world of artists like Matisse and Gauguin.

By the end of your Context tour, you'll possess a deep understanding of these influential art movements and their pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Modern Art.
  • You relish connecting with fellow art history enthusiasts, eager to share your passion.
  • You want to uncover the captivating stories and profound insights hidden within famous paintings and sculptures.
  • If you're traveling with children under the age of 12, we recommend our family-oriented Musee D’Orsay Tour for Kids
  • The Musée d'Orsay, housed in a beautifully transformed Beaux-Arts railway station, is renowned for its exceptional collection of art from the 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring works from prominent artists of the Impressionist, Realist, and Post-Impressionist movements.
General Information
  • There will be a break in the tour to stop and use bathroom facilities as well as opportunities to stop and rest along the way if needed. Please communicate any mobility needs or concerns with our team at the time of booking. 
Tickets
  • Includes timed admission tickets to the museum
  • Our skip-the-line tickets will get us to a special lane where our group will have to stand in line due to security and crowd control measures.
Headsets
  • Depending on your group size, we may be required by the venue to order headsets, in which case you’ll see a “Headset Fee” added to your order. 
  • If you would like to guarantee headsets for your tour regardless of your group size, please email us and we’ll do our best to get them reserved for you.
Resources
Accessibility 
  • Information about the Accessibility at Musee D’Orsays is available here.
  • We kindly request that you inform us if any members of your group have mobility considerations, so we can ensure the best experience possible.
For more information about Context tours, please visit our FAQ page.

There are 7 in my group but your website won't allow me to include more than 6 participants. Can't you make an exception?
No, unfortunately, due to venue reservation restrictions, we cannot accommodate groups larger than 6 people. If your group is larger, we recommend you split into multiple groups.

When is the best time to visit Musée d’Orsay? 
The Musée d’Orsay is very busy and not as spacious as the Louvre. We recommend visiting the museum when it is open late on Thursday evenings.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.

Where You'll Start
432 Reviews (4.76)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Wonderful tour with a fantastic guide!
I commend your guide service. All went as planned. Our Guide Jessica was splendid! She was so well informed and a wonderful communicator. And above all, Jessica is thoughtful and helpful. My wife and I liked her very much.
Kasia was such a gem. She is knowledgeable and entertaining, sharing the stories behind the art and the artists. She also gave us terrific context about the museum and its history. We would highly recommend a tour with Kasia and would certainly love to do another with her in the future.

See the d'Orsay with Context

Get to know one of the art historians leading this tour

Meet James