Paris is a treasure house of some of the best works produced in the history of art. The city has inspired artists throughout the ages and can be safely termed as a paradise for art aficionados. Paris was a muse for great artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Renoir and Degas, whose work was inspired by its landscape, gardens, women and nightlife.
When it comes to art, Musée d'Orsay is another feather in the hat of Paris’ bustling art scene. The museum houses the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art dating from 1848 to 1915. Every detail of the museum is impressive, from the open, airy design of the railway station with its famous giant clock to the stunning collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artworks.
This Musée d’Orsay Highlights tour brings the world-renowned artwork to life as our expert English-speaking guide introduces you not only to the masterpieces but also to the masters who created them. Get to know and understand the life and works of the masters and make the most of your time by being shown the true highlights of this vast collection; our guide will ensure you come to love this museum just as much as the locals do!
Save your valuable time for the artworks as you skip the line for a fast-track entry to the museum.
Note: This tour has limited availability for the 9:30am slot during the month of August. Should this tour not be available on your chosen date, we recommend our audio guided tour of the museum click here for more details>>
- Tour information
- Activity schedule
- Itinerary
When does it run?
Skip the Line: Musée d’Orsay Highlights Tour - 9:30am:
01 Apr - 09 Nov: Tuesday, Friday & Saturday
10 Nov - 31 Mar: Saturday
Skip the Line: Musée d’Orsay Highlights Tour - 10:30am:
01, 07, 08 & 22 Aug, 01, 05, 08 & 15 Sep
Duration
2 hours
Start time
9:30am & 10:30am
Meeting point
In front of the Musee d'Orsay, by the large statue of an elephant.
If you are arriving by metro, the nearest public transport is the RER on line C, stop Musée d'Orsay. Follow the exit signs to the museum. You can also take the metro line 12 and get off at Solferino. Take exit number 2 which is signposted Musee d'Orsay. When you exit, turn left and walk up to the rue de Bellechasse to the museum.
Arriving by taxi: Ask the driver to drop you at the entrance of the Musée d'Orsay. In the open courtyard in front of the museum you will see a large statue of an elephant.
Arriving by foot: The Musée d'Orsay overlooks the river Seine on the Quai Anatole France. It is a large building with 2 large clocks on the facade facing the river. The courtyard in front of the main entrance is between the Quai Anatole France and the rue de la Legion d'Honneur.
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Ending point
In front of the Musee d'Orsay, by the large statue of an elephant.
If you are arriving by metro, the nearest public transport is the RER on line C, stop Musée d'Orsay. Follow the exit signs to the museum. You can also take the metro line 12 and get off at Solferino. Take exit number 2 which is signposted Musee d'Orsay. When you exit, turn left and walk up to the rue de Bellechasse to the museum.
Arriving by taxi: Ask the driver to drop you at the entrance of the Musée d'Orsay. In the open courtyard in front of the museum you will see a large statue of an elephant.
Arriving by foot: The Musée d'Orsay overlooks the river Seine on the Quai Anatole France. It is a large building with 2 large clocks on the facade facing the river. The courtyard in front of the main entrance is between the Quai Anatole France and the rue de la Legion d'Honneur.
- Tour information
- Activity schedule
- Itinerary
For the Musée d’Orsay Highlights tour, your English-speaking guide will be waiting for you at the foot of a large statue of an elephant situated in the courtyard in front of the main entrance to the Musée d’Orsay. Built out of an abandoned train station Gare d’Orsay, the museum opened in Paris in December 1986 and holds some of the most recognizable works of French impressionist and post-impressionist art dating from 1848 to 1915.
Some of the main highlights of the museum are Van Gogh’s Starry Night over the Rhône, a representation of the French city of Arles and Renoir’s Impressionist masterpiece Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette, a depiction of a typical Sunday afternoon in the Parisian district of Montmarte. The works of renowned artists like Cezanne, Degas, Monet, Manet amongst others are also on display.
With the help of your guide, you’ll discover the golden age of art in Paris, how it was harshly criticized in its time, how Vincent Van Gogh died from a gunshot wound thought to have been delivered by his own hand and how painters such as Monet radically changed the way we view and depict the world. He/ she will ensure you get close enough to see the individual brushstrokes, a characteristic feature of these paintings.