Musée d'Orsay Small-Group Guided Tour of the Highlights

KTLY654296

Musée d'Orsay Small-Group Guided Tour of the Highlights, photo 3

Musée d'Orsay Small-Group Guided Tour of the Highlights, photo 4

Paris, France

Non-refundable

This ticket cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable

About this tour

If you're short on time in Paris, this small-group tour cuts straight to the Musée d'Orsay's greatest works. With groups of six people or fewer, you'll follow an English-speaking guide through the museum's best-known Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings and learn the story behind each one, including how Manet's scandalous canvas at the 1863 Salon des Refusés helped launch the Parisian avant-garde. Entry to the museum is included, so there's no sorting out tickets on your own.

Highlights

See the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art in one visit.
Stand before Van Gogh's Starry Night Over the Rhône and Self-Portrait, Monet's Water Lilies, and Renoir's Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette.
Take in Degas' ballet dancers, Manet's groundbreaking canvases, and Cézanne's influential compositions.
Admire the Beaux-Arts building, originally the Gare d'Orsay railway station built for the 1900 World's Fair.
Look out over the Seine through the museum's giant gilded clock windows.
A smaller, less overwhelming alternative to the Louvre, with a guide who adds depth to each work.
The collection bridges the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou, covering Western art from roughly 1848 to 1914.
Beyond paintings, the museum holds sculpture, decorative arts, photography, and architecture from the same decades.

Places You Will Visit

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Musée d'Orsay Paris, France 6 tours & tickets

Included / Excluded

Entrance to the Musée d'Orsay
Guided tour of the museum's must-see works
Tour of must-see pieces
Small group of six people or fewer
Small group (6 people or less)

Visiting the Musée d'Orsay: Hours, Getting There, and What to See

The Musée d'Orsay sits on the Left Bank of the Seine at the Esplanade Valéry Giscard d'Estaing in the 7th arrondissement, directly across the river from the Tuileries and an easy walk from the Louvre and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The closest Metro stop is Solférino on Line 12, and RER Line C stops right at Musée d'Orsay station. Buses 63, 68, 69, 73, 83, 84, 87, and 94 all serve the area. If you've pre-booked, head straight for Entrance C, the lane reserved for individual visitors with tickets, pass holders, and visitors with special needs, rather than the on-site ticket line at Entrance A.

The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:30 to 18:00, with a late opening on Thursdays until 21:45 that tends to be quieter. It is closed Mondays, as well as May 1 and December 25. Last admission is at 17:00 (21:00 on Thursdays), and galleries start closing about half an hour later. Most visits run two to three hours. Inside, the main hall under the old iron-and-glass train-shed roof holds sculpture and large-format paintings, while the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist galleries fill the upper floors. Make time for the view of the Seine and Montmartre through the great gilded clock, and for the café set in the station's original Belle Époque restaurant.

Weather in Paris

Today 57°F14°C 51°F10°C Rain 88%

Today 57°F14°C 48°F9°C Rain 100%

Tomorrow 62°F17°C 51°F11°C Rain 95%

Mon, Oct 26 59°F15°C 49°F10°C Rain 45%

Tue, Oct 27 65°F19°C 51°F11°C Rain 34%

Wed, Oct 28 60°F16°C 46°F8°C Rain 21%

Thu, Oct 29 61°F16°C 43°F6°C Rain 3%

Local time 2:44 AM, UTC+02:00

Available Days / Times

Monday
Tuesday : 10:00
Wednesday : 10:00
Thursday : 10:00
Friday : 10:00
Saturday : 10:00
Sunday

Last updated: Oct 22, 2026

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Important Information

Book in advance, as timed slots sell out and queues get long in peak season.
Entry tickets are timed, so arrive close to your selected time.
The museum is free on the first Sunday of each month, but expect much bigger crowds then.
The collection is large, so a guide or audio guide helps make sense of the works and their context.
Combination tickets, such as those adding a Seine River cruise, can save time and money.
Wear comfortable shoes, since you'll be walking and standing for most of the visit.
Security checks are mandatory, so allow extra time at the entrance.
Food and drinks are only allowed in designated areas, not in the galleries.
Personal photography without flash is fine; tripods, selfie sticks, and large equipment need prior authorization.
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the premises.
Bags larger than 55 x 35 x 20 cm must be left at the cloakroom.
Do not touch the artworks.
Prohibited items include sharp objects, art materials, large umbrellas, and anything dangerous.
Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

FAQs

What is the Musée d'Orsay?

It's one of the most important art museums in Paris, set inside a former Beaux-Arts railway station on the Seine. It's best known for the world's largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.

What are the must-see works at the Musée d'Orsay?

The headline pieces are by Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, and Manet. Don't miss the Impressionist galleries upstairs and the view of Paris through the museum's giant clock.

Is the Musée d'Orsay ever free to enter?

Yes, it's free for everyone on the first Sunday of each month, and EU residents under 26 can also qualify for free entry. Otherwise a paid ticket is required.

How much does a ticket to the Musée d'Orsay cost?

Prices depend on the type of entry, such as standard admission, a guided tour, or a combination ticket with other Paris attractions. Check the verified options listed on this page for current prices.

Should I book Musée d'Orsay tickets in advance?

Yes. It's one of the busiest attractions in Paris and timed slots often sell out in peak season. Booking ahead locks in your preferred time and lets you compare options on this page.

How do I skip the line at the Musée d'Orsay?

Book a timed-entry ticket online ahead of your visit, which lets you use the priority lane instead of the main ticket queue. You can compare skip-the-line options right on this page.

Where can I book Musée d'Orsay tickets?

You can buy them online or at the museum. Booking through this page lets you compare verified standard entry, guided tours, and combo tickets side by side.

How do I get to the Musée d'Orsay?

The museum is on the Left Bank, central Paris. The easiest route is RER Line C to Musée d'Orsay station, and it's also reachable by Metro Line 12 to Solférino, several buses, or a short walk from the Louvre.

Why is the Musée d'Orsay building itself worth seeing?

The museum occupies the former Gare d'Orsay, a railway station completed in 1900 for the Paris World's Fair. Its soaring iron-and-glass hall still reads unmistakably as a train station.

What period of art does the Musée d'Orsay cover?

The collection covers Western art from roughly 1848 to 1914, bridging the gap between the Louvre's older holdings and the modern art at the Centre Pompidou.

How long should I plan for a visit?

Most visits run two to three hours, though the collection can easily fill a half day if you want to take your time. The Impressionist galleries on the upper floor draw the biggest crowds, so many people head straight up first.

Does the Musée d'Orsay have more than just paintings?

Yes. Alongside the famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist canvases, it holds sculpture, decorative arts, photography, and architecture from the same decades.