Paris: Musée d’Orsay Skip-the-Line Tour with Expert Guide
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Paris, France
- 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Explore one of the world's most important collections of Impressionist and post-Impressionist art on this guided tour of the Musée d'Orsay. Instead of trying to navigate the museum on your own, enjoy insight from a guide to make sure you see the top pieces and learn about the artists, such as Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, and Renoir. And with entry included, you're ensured a hassle-free visiting experience.
- The ideal Musée d'Orsay tour for art history loves
- Tour this Parisian museum at a relaxed pace
- Admire the architecture of the Beaux-Arts former train station
- Have free time to explore the museum on your own after the tour
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Instead of racing through the whole museum, this tour highlights its most famed collections.
What's Included
- Explore the world’s finest Impressionist & Post-Impressionist masterpieces.
- See iconic works by Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and more.
- Enjoy a relaxed, intimate 1h45 tour with small groups and headsets.
- Discover one of Paris’s most dazzling museums and its vibrant art history.
- All ticket and pre-reserved entry through a special entrance are included.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities (optional)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 2 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
Meet your guide opposite the main entrance to the Musée d'Orsay, next to the entrance of the Legion d'Honneur Museum. Your guide will be just by the entrance and will be wearing their guide badge on an orange lanyard. Please do not get in the lines for the museum!
End point
- Musée d'OrsayEsplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, 75007 Paris, France
Your tour will end inside the museum.
Itinerary
1
Musee d'Orsay
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Musee d'Orsay
45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Infants aged 0-3 years are free of charge and do not require a booking
- You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours prior to departure and receive a full refund. Please note that refunds are not possible for missed tours.
- If you plan to arrive at the meeting point by taxi, please ensure you leave yourselves plenty of time, it can often take a considerable amount of time to find a taxi in Paris!
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 1,184 reviews
olivia_c, May 2026
I valued our tour guides perspective on art and society and appreciated her sense of humor. She made sure we were allowed in even though we were late.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello Olivia! We at Memories love to make you smile while keying you into the mysteries of French culture and history using the beauty of the Orsay collections as springboard! We also will do everything possible to catch you up with your tour, as hiccups do happen when you're travelling abroad. Thank you so much for the great review!
Wanda_G, May 2026
Our guide was excellent, extremely informed and passionate about the subject. She was well-organized. Loved this experience!
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello Wanda and thank you - this is what we strive to provide every single time, to bring your whole time at the Orsay to a next-level experience. We are so proud to know we hit a bull's eye for you!
Raymond_L, May 2026
Julie was very knowledgeable and gave an interesting overview of the paintings. I would recommend this tour
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello Raymond, thanks so much for the fantastic recommendation - we'll let Julie know! It delights us to be able to show you the Orsay's amazing collection in a light that you simply can't get elsewhere. We're so glad you could join us!
Jill_R, May 2026
We would definitely recommend this tour with Anthony. He bought a fresh view of art, concentrating on colour, shapes and artistry periods which made appreciating the art different, rather than concentrating on history which is already displayed. Very engaging and wonderfully remembered everyone’s name. Thank you very much for the experience.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello Jill! Anthony loved having you, and it is we who thank you for being such a lovely guest. We so appreciate the kind words and detailed review of what it is we do here at Memories and we are simply delighted to know we provided you with an experience that will long stay with you!
Kevin_B, Apr 2026
Meeting point address not recognized by taxi gps because the street is closed in front of the Legion of Honour bldg. Recommend using different address reference.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Kevin, thank you for the feedback. Yes because the Musée d'Orsay is so popular, the small road that runs parallel to the doors is closed to traffic, a pedestrian street. As most of our visitors come from the Metro, RER or by foot, we have chosen the most easily accessible and locatable meeting point possible for all concerned. A taxi would drop you off mere yards away, as well. We are glad your time with us was otherwise a five star experience, and thank you!
Carol_Z, Apr 2026
Anthony, our guide, was very charismatic and knowledgeable. The museum was amazing. We loved it. Since it was formerly a train station, there is very cool, unique architecture, too.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
The museum is indeed amazing and deserves someone no less amazing to tell its tale to you. We so enjoyed doing so and will transmit your kind words to Anthony - thanks so much for the great review!
Gay_O, Apr 2026
Our guide was excellent in connecting the different genres of the paintings. I just loved the degas ballerina paintings and sculptures.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Gay! Yes those Ballerinas, seen in person, will mark your heart forever. We were delighted to have shown you these masterpieces and to have fit them for you into the story of Impressionism's trials and triumphs across the Orsay collections. Thanks so much for letting us know and for choosing us to explore the museum with!
Diane_B, Apr 2026
It’s was an excellent way to see such a large museum and to be able to focus on Impressionists. Fascinating
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi Diane and thank you for the warm review. We offer smaller tours than our standard which never go over 20 people, but your choice was what is the overwhemingly popular one, as it allows us to offer an accessible price. We are so glad you benefitted form your guide's unique perspective on how 19th century French art culminated in Impressionism, a movement that rocks the world to this day. Thanks so much for booking with us!
Robert_H, Apr 2026
Excellent tour!! Our guide was excellent! Had no issues with finding the tour start location and getting all around was made so easy!!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Robert! We at Memories love to make it all a breeze for you so that you can enjoy your hard earned vacation time to its utmost. The real heart of what we do, though, is of course the tour itself and there too we aim for no less than excellent. It is so rewarding to know we hit a bull's eye, thank you!
Michael_G, Apr 2026
Our guide was amazing. We enjoyed his commentary and his insights. Entering the museum with the tour group saved a lot of time and bypassed the walkup line.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
It must be admitted, we love nothing more than to amaze! Sailing you past those pesky lines, however, is a close second, every.single.time. Thanks so much for letting us know we hit a bull's eye - it was a pleasure!
Megan_L, Apr 2026
Excellent informative guide.
Imressive builing and stunning collection.
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Response from Host, Apr 2026
Even the walls of the Orsay rival with the masterpieces hanging on them, but we at Memories have the inside secrets of both. Thanks so much, Megan, for coming along and sharing in the experience, it was a pleasure!
Melinda_F, Apr 2026
Beautiful Day at the Orsay! Great guide!! Sylviana (sp?) was extremely knowledgeable! Perfect amount of information!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Sylviane will be so very pleased, as is the whole Memories famiy! We aim for perfect so it's always so rewarding when you tell us we hit a bull's eye! Thank you for the fantastic review!
MariAnne_M, Apr 2026
The tour was very organized, we started on time, Mica our tour guide was a very good storyteller. We learned about the story behind the paintings as well as the artists. Whether you are an art aficionado or a first-time visitor, this guided tour transforms the Orsay from a beautiful gallery into a deep, narrative journey. It saved us time and left us with a newfound appreciation for the era.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Hello MariAnne. We can tell from here you're a kindred spirit and Mika loved having you! Storytelling our way through the Orsay collections is a kind of time travel that we love to take you on, a narrative journey indeed that can make you feel as though you're stepping right through the painting frames into 19th century France that has so much to say about today. We were delighted to do that for you and hope only that our paths cross again. Thankyou so much for this stellar review!
JosephJ_T, Apr 2026
Too big a group and a tour guide who was a little too Devoted to her view of art history in kind of long winded way.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Mr. Trento,
We read of your experience with great dismay. Of course we do offer smaller group tours of the magnificent Orsay, but for a sweet spot of group size and price we also offer the one you selected, with no more than 20 people, the most popular choice by far. We only wish you had gone with the number of visitors that you found more suitable to your visiting style. On the other hand we are mystified by your remarks concerning your guide. She regularly garners five-star reviews and our guests comment that they wish they had more time to spend with her. Our devotion to art and to history is no secret, and those who choose to join a Memories visit far and away leave delighted with our secret sauce of storytelling and laughter in with the learning, and the unique perspective of your expert guide into the bargain. An audio guide is “just” that, as you say, and could not so much as answer the least question. For some visitors, that suffices. We, however, offer so much more, and love doing so. We are sorry that our content is not what you were looking for and hope nonetheless the rest of your stay in Paris exceeded all expectations.
Cynthia_D, Apr 2026
I had a great time on this tour with Stephanie who was very knowledgable, kind and charming! It was a fantastic experience and I learned so much! Thank you for a great experience!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Style and substance is what you can expect with a Memories guide, where expertise has a human touch! We were delighted to share all the backstory to the triumph of Impressionism as told through the Orsay collections, and loved having you, thank you.
Ellen_W, Apr 2026
This museum is spectacular and our guide was wonderful. Two areas were of concern… one was that the whole group had the code to the locker and could potentially go there, retrieve their own things (and possibly someone else’s) and even leave it unlocked. That did not happen, but if I were to do this again, I would not leave my things in the locker, or I would get my own. The other issue was that we had to spend some time because two of the people on our tour left without notice, taking with them the radio and headset. Perhaps the guide should take collateral from the people on the tour or just tell them that if they are going to leave the tour they need to return the radio and headset or their card will be charged. Other that those two concerns, the tour was awesome and we would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Ellen and thank you for the feedback. Although we appreciate your concern, unfortunately the museum does not allow reserved groups to take individual lockers. Further the museum also owns the headsets: we are not permitted to use our own, and we could not very well ask for deposit on materials that do not belong to us. We are nonetheless happy to know that your guide's presentation of the Orsay was all you hoped it could be for a museum of exceptional beauty. We were happy to share all our expertise of the backstories of its masterpieces as well as a glimpse into the France of yesterday that created the Paris of today. Thank you for all the stars!
Catherine_H, Apr 2026
The tour was great and being able to skip
the long entrance line was a plus. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and helpful. I’m really glad I took a tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
And we at Memories are so delighted to have had you as a guest. Sailing you right past those lines is also a joy, every. single. time! Stanislas will be so pleased at your kind words and we'll hope we do meet again!
Adele_D, Apr 2026
Miki was an anazing guide-so full of knowledge about the art in Musee D’Orsay. I highly recommend taking this tour!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Adele and thank you for the whole hearted endorsement of what Memories offers. We'll let Mika know of your high praise - it makes the day for all of us, thank you!
Maryann_J, Apr 2026
Our guide delivered a professional and sequentially concise lecture, with succinct descriptions of each artist’s life and style. Loved it!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Maryann and thank you for this stellar review. We are so pleased to have joined learning with some laughter and have thus revealed sides to the Orsay collections that you would otherwise have passed right by. Thanks again for coming with Memories!
Stefanie_B, Apr 2026
A wonderful experience! They were very communicative as to where to meet and the tour itself was great. Our tour guide was so lovely! Incredibly knowledgeable and very funny! My family is still talking about the interesting things we learned
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello Stefanie and thank you so much! Memories is absolutely in the business of wonderful experiences- it's what we're all about. And we firmly believe that laughter and learning go together like cheese and wine, as you saw. We so appreciate the rave review and are delighted you could join in the fun!
Henry_C, Apr 2026
Our guide did a wonderful job of explaining the evolution of Impressionism and providing insight into the work of its best-known exemplars. His deep knowledge and mastery of the subject was amply displayed!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
This is exactly what we hope to offer you - new perspectives on the emergence of Impressionism, making the masterpieces fresh with our expertise! Thanks so much, Henry, for such a fine review. Emanuele will be so pleased!
Jennifer_W, Apr 2026
Avi was amazing. He brought so much history, storytelling and personality to the tour. I wish we had him to guide us all through Paris
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you Jennifer! This will make Avi's day as it has for the whole Memories family as well. We too wish we could guide you through the whole of the City of Light - let's hope our paths do cross again!
Jessica_M, Apr 2026
Avi was fantastic! He was incredibly knowledgeable, clearly passionate about art, and helped us navigate around the (very crowded) museum to make sure we could see the pieces. His narrative history of France was so helpful for our whole trip and brought to life the artists and their subjects. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for this, Jessica - it means so much! We at Memories definitely use the amazing collections of the Orsay to bring France, and especially Paris, into focus, as no one can reallly "get" the Impressionists and the run up to them without the social and political context that led there, and it's a fantastic springboard to better understand the country. We're thrilled you had such a great time and thrilled too at this fantastic review!
Christine_C, Mar 2026
My husband and I thought this was great and we learned a lot from our very knowledgeable tour guide. However, my teen boys bailed after about 30 minutes! Definitely a lesson in art history so make sure that is what everyone is looking for!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello and thank you so much! It delights us to know that you and your husband enjoyed your time with us! We do strive to make the Orsay accessible to all backgrounds and all ages, firmly believing that the collections there are a treasure trove with something for everyone. Moreover we bring it all to life with stories and humor that have thus far succeeded for all kinds of ages and starting places, regularly a hit with even hard to reach ages. We hope nevertheless that your teens found favorites of their own on their own and were able to enjoy the museum even with the crowds that are so hard to navigate alone.
weiwei_c, Mar 2026
the tour guid was very passionate, she gave us a perfect level of explanation about the art styles. very informative
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello and thank you so much! Stephanie will be so pleased to read your wonderful recommendation. This is exactly what we strive to provide to our guests and it's wonderful to know we succeeded!
MaryCatherine_M, Mar 2026
Stephanie was charming, knowledgeable, tireless and just delightful. I’d been to Musée D’Orsay a number of times before, but this was the first time with a guide. I learned so much! Should have done it years ago …
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello MaryCatherine! It was a joy having you and a joy too to know we hit a bulls eye in exactly what we aim to provide : an experience that offers even old hands along with newbiesnew perspectives and information on the Orsay's magnificent collections. It is a delight to know how much we succeeded-thank you so much for the wonderful review which we'll pass right on to Stéphanie now!
Blyss_K, Mar 2026
Our guide was Mika and she was very knowledgeable about art history. Nice, funny, personable- great guide!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello Blyss (what a beautiful name!) - thanks so very much for the fantastic recommendation. Mika is a great ambassador of all you can expect from a Memories guide, fun and expertise, style and substance all in one package; we'll transmit this to her and it'll make her day, as it has for the whole Memories family!
Hillary_P, Mar 2026
Anthony was one of the most engaging tour guides we have ever had. He gave just the right amount of background to understand and appreciate the paintings and the historical context!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello Hillary, we agree that Anthony is a great example of all that Memories offers in the finest guided experiences available, having perfected the craft and art of the visit. We are so glad we could share that skill and talent with you at the Orsay, where the history of Paris is so key to understanding the collections, and the history of art is on full display to those who know how to convey it to others. Thanks so much for the superb review, it means a great deal to have earned it!
Mark_R, Mar 2026
The Orsay museum is spectacular and a must see, particularly if you like impressionist art. Our tour guide Julie was wonderful, very knowledgeable, speaks fluent English. We learned a lot and had a great time.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
It is such a joy sharing a trip in time to the Orsay's 19th Century with you, a cluing you in on the stories that make the paintings and sculpture bristle with life, as though you could step right through the frame. Thanks so much for booking with us, Julie loved having you!
Brianna_C, Feb 2026
I like art very much, but I do not have any educational background in art history or technique. This was a great tour with highlights of the museum. I really appreciated Claire's humor and her knowledge of the art. It was also nice that the tour ended inside the museum. My partner and I continued to walk around after the tour. I would definitely recommend this if you want something within 1.5 - 2 hrs and don't have an already in depth knowledge of impressionist art.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
We at Memories just love it when we can give a tour to a kindred spirit, and love it too when you go off afterward to make your own discoveries and favorites! The thing with our tours is that we meet you where you're at, wherever that may be, and can speak on any level of interest or knowledge, from absolute beginners to those in the know. It was a delight to do that for you with Claire's fantastic guide skills -- we'll pass on your kind comments, straightaway!
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Paris: Musée d’Orsay Skip-the-Line Tour with Expert Guide
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