Guided tours of the Musée d’Orsay after the Musée Moreau
Why visit Orsay after the Musée Moreau
The house on Rue de La Rochefoucauld shows the studio: sketches, unfinished works, thousands of drawings, and a few large formats that Moreau kept for himself. What he exhibited publicly during his lifetime is elsewhere. Orpheus, from 1865, Galatea, and Jason are at the Musée d’Orsay, along with the watercolour of The Apparition from 1876, the one that inspired Huysmans to write. Seeing these finished paintings after the sketches in the studio helps you understand what Moreau kept and what he discarded. The page on the artworks explains which are on site and which have been moved.
There is a second reason. The Orsay guides cover Impressionism, Van Gogh, Renoir, Degas, Manet, Cézanne, and Moreau is precisely the painter against whom that generation defined itself, before his own students, led by Matisse and Rouault, built the bridge to Fauvism. A day at the Musée Gustave Moreau followed by Orsay therefore holds a logical thread, which is rare in a visiting schedule.
Group visit: 2 hours with an art historian
Visit in English, led by a guide who is an art historian, ticket and reservation included, audio headsets provided if the group requests them. The group can be up to 25 people; a semi-private version limits it to 6. The tour includes Van Gogh (*Starry Night Over the Rhône*), Renoir (*Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette*), Cézanne, Degas, and Manet. Meet at the entrance of the Musée de la Légion d’Honneur, rue de la Légion-d’Honneur, next to the stairs leading up to Orsay; RER C Musée d’Orsay or metro line 12 Solférino. No strollers in the group, no backpacks or suitcases, no flash photography. The visit is not wheelchair accessible and involves a lot of walking. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Most reviews mention the guides by their first names. Nancy had Chris, with only five people that day. Jenna describes Anaïs as very knowledgeable, with a real storytelling talent; Phil calls it one of the highlights of his trip. Fiona, who came from Australia, booked last minute and found Hamish organised and passionate. Wayne talks about the most beautiful museum he has ever seen, which says more about Orsay than about the tour. My full review is on the page reviews of the guided tour of Orsay.
The six-person visit: 2 hours 30 minutes, in French if you prefer
Six people per guide, certified guides, tours conducted since 2012, reserved entry and ticket included. This is the only one of the two available in French, as well as in English, Spanish, German, Italian, and Russian. The tour includes Monet (*Woman with a Parasol*), Renoir, and Degas with his dancers and bronzes. Meet at the esplanade Valéry-Giscard-d’Estaing, in the 7th arrondissement. Security checks may still apply despite the ticket; items larger than 55 × 35 × 20 cm are prohibited; temporary exhibitions are not included; and wheelchair access is only possible on private tours. Free cancellation 24 hours before.
Niamh, who came from Canada, says she became a fan after Hugo’s tour, which provided the social and political context of the paintings. Cindy recounts how Lili guided the group through the crowds on a very busy day, which is precisely the advantage of paying for a guide at Orsay. Collett wishes it had lasted longer. Julie, who had already visited Orsay several times, was not bored. The details are on the page reviews of the six-person visit.
Group or six people: the comparison
| Our pickMusée d’Orsay: guided tour of the masterpieces | Musée d’Orsay: guided tour for a maximum of six people | Paris Museum Pass: 2, 4 or 6 days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 h | 2 hours 30 minutes | 2, 4, or 6 days |
| Format | Group of up to 25 or semi-private with 6 | 6 people per guide | Self-guided, at your own pace |
| Language | English | French, English, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian | Not applicable |
| Meeting point | Musée de la Légion d'Honneur | Esplanade Valéry-Giscard-d’Estaing | Pass collection near the Louvre |
| Orsay ticket | Included | Included | Included, no time slot required at Orsay |
| Wheelchair | No | Private tours only | According to the museum |
| Cancellation | Free 24 hours in advance | Free 24 hours in advance | Free 24 hours in advance |
| Book → | See → | See → |
Personal favouriteMusée d’Orsay: guided tour of the masterpieces
Small groupMusée d’Orsay: guided tour for a maximum of six people
From the Musée Gustave Moreau to the Musée d’Orsay
It’s direct: take metro line 12 from Trinité–d’Estienne-d’Orves or Saint-Georges to Solférino, then a few minutes’ walk to the Seine. Allow around half an hour door-to-door. If you book the group tour, the meeting point on rue de la Légion-d’Honneur is just steps from the metro exit. The return journey and other access details are on the page how to get there. With the Musée Gustave Moreau ticket in hand, you are entitled to a reduced rate at the Musée d’Orsay if you enter without a guide, as explained on the tickets page.
Availability for the guided tour of the Musée d’Orsay
Frequently asked questions
Which Musée d’Orsay tour to choose after the Musée Gustave Moreau?
If you prefer French, the six-person tour is the only option. If English suits you and you would rather a shorter tour, the group tour is sufficient. In both cases, read the page on Moreau’s works first to know which ones to look for at the Musée d’Orsay.
Is the Musée d’Orsay ticket included in the guided tour?
Yes for both tours, and the reservation as well. A security check may still be required at the entrance. Temporary exhibitions are not included. If you prefer to enter on your own, the Musée Gustave Moreau ticket gives you a reduced rate (see tickets).
Can I visit the Musée Moreau and Orsay on the same day?
Yes, without any difficulty. The Moreau Museum at opening time, one to one and a half hours, then line 12 to Solférino for an afternoon visit. The sequence is described on the page how long does the visit last.
Where is the meeting point?
For the group visit, at the entrance of the Musée de la Légion d’Honneur, rue de la Légion-d’Honneur, near the stairs leading up to Orsay. For the visit for six people, on the Esplanade Valéry-Giscard-d’Estaing, in the 7th arrondissement. Both are just a few minutes from Solférino station, line 12, which also serves the Musée Gustave Moreau.