Cast your gaze over some of Impressionism’s finest treasures during this Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie walking tour with private guide. Marvel at magnificent artworks including a collection of Monet paintings that are known as the ‘Water Lilies’ and ‘Bal du Moulin de la Galette’ by Renoir. Listen as your guide sheds light on the styles at play on the canvas, and learn of the various techniques used by artists of the era at the easel. Between museum visits, wander through the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries.

Gain insight into Paris' rich art history from an expert guide
See Impressionism come to life at the Musée d'Orsay, with masterpieces from Manet, Gauguin, Renoir and many others
Marvel at Monet's breathtaking 'Water Lillies' series at the Musée de l'Orangerie
Choose between a morning or afternoon tour

What's Included

Professional art historian guide
All tickets
Private tour

Gratuities
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

43 Quai d'Orsay
43 Quai d'Orsay, 75007 Paris, France
Departure Point: Musée d'Orsay, central Paris Address: Entrance C, Musée d'Orsay, 1 Rue de la Legion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris Directions: The closest metro stations are Musée d'Orsay (RER line C) and Assemblée Nationale (line 12) Dates: Daily except Monday

End point

Musée de l'Orangerie
Jardin Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France
Return point: Concludes at the Musée de l'Orangerie

What To Expect

Choose from a morning or afternoon private art history tour, then meet your guide at the entrance of the Musée d'Orsay. Widely considered to be among Europe’s most important gallery spaces, the Musée d'Orsay was once one of Paris’ busiest train stations. The building was repurposed in the 1980s and today houses a breathtaking collection including many of Europe's best known Impressionist paintings alongside 19th- and 20th-century photography and sculptures.

With your private guide to lead the way through the hallways and galleries, marvel at famous works by artists such as Gauguin, Manet, Renoir and Monet, and learn of their place in Impressionist history. Some of the best-known paintings in the museum include Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette and Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe by Manet. As you explore, discover the various methods employed by the different painters and learn the significance of painting in the open air.

When your tour of the Musée d'Orsay comes to an end, cross the Passerelle Solferino to the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens) with your guide and take in fine views out over the Seine River. On arrival at the Musée de l’Orangerie, begin the second of your two museum tours.

The Musée de l’Orangerie houses paintings and sculptures from artists including Picasso, Marisse and Cézanne but the gallery’s star attraction is, for many visitors, Monet’s 'Nymphéas' ('Water Lillies') murals. Painted in the artist’s gardens in Giverny, the murals showcase Monet’s skills to perfection. Standing before them in the Musée de l’Orangerie, listen as your guide explains Monet’s portrayal of light across the canvasses and gain insight into their subtle similarities and differences.

When your time in the Musée de l’Orangerie is at an end, explore the gallery further at your leisure or head outside to conclude your tour.

Musee d'Orsay

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Jardin des Tuileries

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
A moderate amount of walking is involved; please wear appropriate footwear
The Museums are closed every Monday and Tuesday and D' Orsay does not allow guides to speak on Sunday
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Reviews

3.0

6 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-6 of 6 reviews

Our guide was very good and enjoyed...

Debra S, Nov 2017

Our guide was very good and enjoyed Musee de lOrangerie particularly Monets Water Lillies having already been to Giverny to see the real thing. Unfortunately we could not go into Musee dOrsay as there were problems with the doors. Consequently we asked to go to Rodins gardens and our guide made the visit interesting as he explained some thoughts around the sculptures.

Manuela was wonderful. She is very...

lisa_k, Oct 2017

Manuela was wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and helpful. We got delayed by a strike but she was still able to get us to the highlights of both museums.

This tour seemed a little overpriced...

Sara, Jan 2016

This tour seemed a little overpriced and underwhelming. We expected much more from our guide for the pricing of this tour.

This tour is a must. Selina was an...

Mark R, Oct 2015

This tour is a must. Selina was an amazing guide. Not only was the whole experience relaxed and highly informative, but the paintings especially were absolutely incredible. Be prepared for a lot of walking.

The tour guide was not great in...

Hali M, May 2015

The tour guide was not great in English and had trouble talking so we could understand and often fumbled over words that we got little out of her chatter ! She was not there in time and we had to call her up. No tullieries on tour. Very big rip off ! Cost under $20 both admissions pd. $388! Unhappy!

Got to museum. No one there knew...

mikewsc, May 2015

Got to museum. No one there knew where our tour was. Were able to get in and tour on our own, which of course we could have done without Viator. Called the contact number and the emergency number and never got an answer. Our other two tours were fine but could have been booked directly. My advice wouldbe to do alittle research on the web and book tours directly with the entitty.