Private Art History Walking Tour: Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie
Get an up-close look at the masterpieces of Impressionism on this private tour of the Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie, two of Paris' most esteemed museums. Admire beautiful works of art, including Monet's incredible 'Water Lillies' series and Renoir’s 'Bal du Moulin de la Galette,' and gain expert insight into the styles, techniques and significance of Impressionist and post–Impressionist art from your private art historian guide. Stroll through the peaceful Jardin des Tuileries in between your museum visits.
Meet your art historian guide at the Musée d'Orsay for your private morning or afternoon art history tour. Considered one of the finest museums in Europe, the Musée d'Orsay was one of Paris' main train stations until the 1980s, when it was converted into an art gallery. The building's architecture is magnificent, and inside you'll find a stunning collection of some of Europe's most renowned 19th- and 20th-century paintings, sculptures and photography. Impressionism is the Musée d'Orsay's claim to fame.
Strolling side-by-side with your private guide, admire beautiful pieces by Edouard Manet, Paul Gauguin, August Renoir, Claude Monet and other masters; notable works include Manet’s Le Déjeuner sur l’Herbe and Renoir’s Bal du Moulin de la Galette. You'll gain insight into the styles and techniques used by these revolutionary artists, who broke standards by setting up their easels outside, en plein air, to capture their impressions of their surroundings.
After your Musée d'Orsay tour, follow your guide across the Passerelle Solferino to the Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens), adjacent to the Louvre Museum, and take in beautiful views over the Seine River. Arrive at the Musée de l’Orangerie for your second museum tour.
The Musée de l’Orangerie is home to a superb collection of works from luminaries including Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Paul Cézanne, but it’s the 'Nymphéas' ('Water Lillies') murals by Claude Monet that draws most visitors. Huge in scale yet immaculate in execution, this striking series of paintings was created in Monet’s garden at Giverny, and is considered to demonstrate the artist’s groundbreaking brush techniques to perfection. Marvel at the play of light across the panels and listen as your guide highlights the subtle intricacies found throughout the works.
After covering the highlights of the Musée de l’Orangerie, your tour comes to a close. You're free to continue exploring the museum on your own.
