Top Things To Do In Musee D'Orsay (Paris) In 2026 - 2027

Museum

Top 10 things to do in Musee d'Orsay

1. Impressionist Masterpieces Tour
The Musee d'Orsay is celebrated for housing the world's most significant collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces. During the Impressionist Masterpieces Tour, visitors can marvel at the works of Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and Renoir, among others. An expert guide will lead you through the museum's grand halls, explaining the revolutionary techniques and the intriguing backstories behind the masterpieces. You will learn about the history of the art movement and how it radically transformed the Parisian art scene. The duration of the tour provides ample time to appreciate the nuances of light, color, and technique that define impressionist art.
Duration: 2 hours · Price: €55
2. Orsay Highlights Express Tour
If time is of the essence, the Orsay Highlights Express Tour is the perfect activity for those who wish to absorb the essence of the museum's collection in a short period. In just one and a half hours, a knowledgeable guide will take you through a carefully selected array of the museum's most famous and influential works. Despite the brevity of the visit, the guide's insightful commentary will imbue the canvases and sculptures with context, bringing them to life. This tour promises a memorable and enriching experience for busy travelers who don't want to miss out on the Musee d'Orsay's treasures.
Duration: 1.5 hours · Price: €45
3. Art Nouveau and Architecture Tour
Housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station, the Musee d'Orsay is not just about paintings; it also offers a feast for those interested in architecture and decorative arts. The Art Nouveau and Architecture Tour delves into the historical building's past and its transformation from a railway hub to a prestigious museum. With attention to the architectural details and Art Nouveau furnishings and decorations that adorn the establishment, visitors gain insights into the period's innovative design and aesthetics. This tour is a fantastic way to appreciate the genius of the Orsay beyond its canvas masterpieces, offering an understanding of the cultural and architectural zeitgeist of the age.
Duration: 2 hours · Price: €50
4. Self-Guided Audio Tour
For those who value an independent, at-your-own-pace exploration, the Musee d'Orsay offers a comprehensive self-guided audio tour. You will be equipped with an audio guide that narrates the histories and secrets behind the many works on display. From Van Gogh's Starry Night to Millet's The Gleaners, you can immerse yourself in the world of 19th and 20th-century art without feeling rushed. This option is perfect for art lovers who wish to lose themselves in the galleries, spending as much time as they like with the pieces that most captivate their interest.
Duration: Flexible · Price: €5 (in addition to the entrance fee)
5. Photography Workshop
Photography enthusiasts can enjoy a unique opportunity offered by the Musee d'Orsay to enhance their skills through a specialized Photography Workshop. Conducted by professional photographers, this workshop will navigate the technical aspects of photographing artworks and the challenges posed by the dimly lit ambiance of a museum. Participants will learn about the use of light, composition, and angles to capture stunning images of the museum's masterpieces and architecture. The duration allows for practical application under the guidance of the workshop leader, ensuring a complete and immersive learning experience.
Duration: 3 hours · Price: €90
6. Sculpture Exploration Tour
The Musee d'Orsay not only possesses an incredible selection of paintings but is also home to a vast array of sculptures. The Sculpture Exploration Tour aims to give visitors an in-depth view of this three-dimensional art form. With a knowledgeable guide specializing in sculpture, you can discover the stories, inspirations, and techniques behind works by artists such as Rodin, Camille Claudel, and many others. This exploration will illuminate the evolution of sculpture from the mid-19th century to the dawn of modernism, providing a different perspective of the artistic innovation that characterized this pivotal era.
Duration: 2 hours · Price: €60
7. 19th-Century Fashion and Society
Art and fashion are inextricably linked, and the Musee d'Orsay's 19th-Century Fashion and Society tour is a testament to this connection. This unique activity explores the depiction of clothing and fashion in the museum's vast array of paintings and sculptures. A guide well-versed in fashion history will lead you through the galleries, shedding light on how artists reflected the styles, textiles, and societal roles of men and women through their portraiture and scenes of daily life. Beyond the appreciation of fabric and form, this tour reveals much about the societal norms and cultural contexts of 19th-century France.
Duration: 2 hours · Price: €65
8. French Art History Crash Course
The French Art History Crash Course at the Musee d'Orsay is an enlightening activity designed for art enthusiasts and novices alike. Paired with a seasoned art historian, participants dive into French art history, tracing the developments from neoclassicism to the birth of modernism. Throughout the course, which is conducted amidst the museum's exceptional collection, attendees will place the works of art within a broader historical context and understand the radical shifts in aesthetics and philosophy that defined each era. This activity is perfect for those looking to deeply engage with and comprehend the undercurrents of French art history.
Duration: 3 hours · Price: €70
9. Children's Art Discovery Tour
The Musee d'Orsay is a fantastic destination for families, and the Children's Art Discovery Tour is specifically tailored to spark the imagination of younger visitors. During this interactive tour, children are introduced to art in a way that is engaging and understandable. Activities such as scavenger hunts and storytelling help bring famous works to life, making the experience both educational and fun. Parents will appreciate the thoughtful approach to introducing their kids to the world of fine art, ensuring that the experience is both memorable and enriching for the whole family.
Duration: 1.5 hours · Price: €35 (per child), accompanying adults regular admission fee
10. Evening at the Orsay
Experience the magic of the Musee d'Orsay after traditional hours with an exclusive Evening at the Orsay. This special after-hours visit allows you to explore the quiet galleries in a more personal and tranquil setting. The dimmed evening light casts a new aura over the artworks, offering a different perspective and a more intimate atmosphere. Often accompanied by live music or special lectures, these evenings add an extra layer of culture and charm to the Musee d'Orsay visit, making it an activity that should not be missed by those looking for a unique museum experience.
Duration: 2 hours · Price: €85

Other Places to Visit in Paris

View all places to visit in Paris

Eiffel Tower

Louvre Museum

Notre Dame Cathedral

Arc de Triomphe

Landmark/Religious Site

Montmartre and the Basilica of Sacre Cœur

Cultural and shopping avenue

Champs Elysees and Avenue Montaigne

Cultural Site

Palace of Versailles

Historical landmark

Sainte Chapelle

Public Park

Luxembourg Gardens

Other Suggested Reads for Musee d'Orsay

Top 10 things to do in Musee d'Orsay

1. Impressionist Masterpieces Tour

The Musee d'Orsay is celebrated for housing the world's most significant collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces. During the Impressionist Masterpieces Tour, visitors can marvel at the works of Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, and Renoir, among others. An expert guide will lead you through the museum's grand halls, explaining the revolutionary techniques and the intriguing backstories behind the masterpieces. You will learn about the history of the art movement and how it radically transformed the Parisian art scene. The duration of the tour provides ample time to appreciate the nuances of light, color, and technique that define impressionist art.

Duration: 2 hours · Price: €55

2. Orsay Highlights Express Tour

If time is of the essence, the Orsay Highlights Express Tour is the perfect activity for those who wish to absorb the essence of the museum's collection in a short period. In just one and a half hours, a knowledgeable guide will take you through a carefully selected array of the museum's most famous and influential works. Despite the brevity of the visit, the guide's insightful commentary will imbue the canvases and sculptures with context, bringing them to life. This tour promises a memorable and enriching experience for busy travelers who don't want to miss out on the Musee d'Orsay's treasures.

Duration: 1.5 hours · Price: €45

3. Art Nouveau and Architecture Tour

Housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts railway station, the Musee d'Orsay is not just about paintings; it also offers a feast for those interested in architecture and decorative arts. The Art Nouveau and Architecture Tour delves into the historical building's past and its transformation from a railway hub to a prestigious museum. With attention to the architectural details and Art Nouveau furnishings and decorations that adorn the establishment, visitors gain insights into the period's innovative design and aesthetics. This tour is a fantastic way to appreciate the genius of the Orsay beyond its canvas masterpieces, offering an understanding of the cultural and architectural zeitgeist of the age.

Duration: 2 hours · Price: €50

4. Self-Guided Audio Tour

For those who value an independent, at-your-own-pace exploration, the Musee d'Orsay offers a comprehensive self-guided audio tour. You will be equipped with an audio guide that narrates the histories and secrets behind the many works on display. From Van Gogh's Starry Night to Millet's The Gleaners, you can immerse yourself in the world of 19th and 20th-century art without feeling rushed. This option is perfect for art lovers who wish to lose themselves in the galleries, spending as much time as they like with the pieces that most captivate their interest.

Duration: Flexible · Price: €5 (in addition to the entrance fee)

5. Photography Workshop

Photography enthusiasts can enjoy a unique opportunity offered by the Musee d'Orsay to enhance their skills through a specialized Photography Workshop. Conducted by professional photographers, this workshop will navigate the technical aspects of photographing artworks and the challenges posed by the dimly lit ambiance of a museum. Participants will learn about the use of light, composition, and angles to capture stunning images of the museum's masterpieces and architecture. The duration allows for practical application under the guidance of the workshop leader, ensuring a complete and immersive learning experience.

Duration: 3 hours · Price: €90

6. Sculpture Exploration Tour

The Musee d'Orsay not only possesses an incredible selection of paintings but is also home to a vast array of sculptures. The Sculpture Exploration Tour aims to give visitors an in-depth view of this three-dimensional art form. With a knowledgeable guide specializing in sculpture, you can discover the stories, inspirations, and techniques behind works by artists such as Rodin, Camille Claudel, and many others. This exploration will illuminate the evolution of sculpture from the mid-19th century to the dawn of modernism, providing a different perspective of the artistic innovation that characterized this pivotal era.

Duration: 2 hours · Price: €60

7. 19th-Century Fashion and Society

Art and fashion are inextricably linked, and the Musee d'Orsay's 19th-Century Fashion and Society tour is a testament to this connection. This unique activity explores the depiction of clothing and fashion in the museum's vast array of paintings and sculptures. A guide well-versed in fashion history will lead you through the galleries, shedding light on how artists reflected the styles, textiles, and societal roles of men and women through their portraiture and scenes of daily life. Beyond the appreciation of fabric and form, this tour reveals much about the societal norms and cultural contexts of 19th-century France.

Duration: 2 hours · Price: €65

8. French Art History Crash Course

The French Art History Crash Course at the Musee d'Orsay is an enlightening activity designed for art enthusiasts and novices alike. Paired with a seasoned art historian, participants dive into French art history, tracing the developments from neoclassicism to the birth of modernism. Throughout the course, which is conducted amidst the museum's exceptional collection, attendees will place the works of art within a broader historical context and understand the radical shifts in aesthetics and philosophy that defined each era. This activity is perfect for those looking to deeply engage with and comprehend the undercurrents of French art history.

Duration: 3 hours · Price: €70

9. Children's Art Discovery Tour

The Musee d'Orsay is a fantastic destination for families, and the Children's Art Discovery Tour is specifically tailored to spark the imagination of younger visitors. During this interactive tour, children are introduced to art in a way that is engaging and understandable. Activities such as scavenger hunts and storytelling help bring famous works to life, making the experience both educational and fun. Parents will appreciate the thoughtful approach to introducing their kids to the world of fine art, ensuring that the experience is both memorable and enriching for the whole family.

Duration: 1.5 hours · Price: €35 (per child), accompanying adults regular admission fee

10. Evening at the Orsay

Experience the magic of the Musee d'Orsay after traditional hours with an exclusive Evening at the Orsay. This special after-hours visit allows you to explore the quiet galleries in a more personal and tranquil setting. The dimmed evening light casts a new aura over the artworks, offering a different perspective and a more intimate atmosphere. Often accompanied by live music or special lectures, these evenings add an extra layer of culture and charm to the Musee d'Orsay visit, making it an activity that should not be missed by those looking for a unique museum experience.

Duration: 2 hours · Price: €85