Walk through the museum with an art-historian guide who can read the brushstrokes in Monet's poppies and explain why Manet's Olympia caused a scandal in 1865. Audio guides, live experts, and small-group tours — pick the format that fits the way you want to visit.
Buy TicketsThe Musée d'Orsay offers self-guided audio tours and small-group expert-led visits. The right choice depends on whether you want narration, conversation or contemplation. See our visitors guide for help choosing, and the best time to visit page if you want a quieter tour experience.
Find the right format for your group and your pace
The official audio tour, in 7 languages, covering around 50 key works from Manet's Olympia to Van Gogh's Bedroom in Arles. €5 add-on, ~2 hours of content. Best value for first-time visitors.
Up to 15 people with a licensed art-historian guide, 2 hours covering the Impressionist masterpieces and 19th-century context. Q&A throughout — your guide can go deeper on whatever interests your group.
A child-friendly version with hands-on activities, sketching prompts and stories about the artists. Best for ages 7–13 and noticeably better than the standard audio guide for kids.
A guided tour during the Thursday late openings. Smaller crowds, magical evening light through the iron-and-glass roof, and an option to add drinks afterwards on Rue de l'Université.
For a first visit, the audio guide is the best value by a wide margin. It covers around 50 key works in 7 languages, walks you efficiently from level 5 down through the chronology, and leaves you free to linger when something catches your eye.
If you have an art-history background, want depth, or simply prefer a human voice and the chance to ask questions, book the small-group expert tour. A good guide will explain why the 1874 Impressionist exhibition was a public scandal, how Cézanne's apples paved the way for Cubism, and what to look for in Van Gogh's brushwork in Starry Night Over the Rhône. Families with children should pick the family tour over the standard audio guide; it is paced for shorter attention spans and includes sketching prompts that turn the visit into an activity rather than a lecture.
All tours start at the Entrance C meeting point. Arrive 15 minutes early to clear security and the cloakroom — being late means missing the introduction inside.
Languages, group sizes, and what is included