About this experience
Unlike the multifaceted Louvre, the Orsay Museum has assembled a very narrow but no less valuable collection - works by Impressionists, which have become the hallmark of French painting. Before you will sparkle the main treasures of Orsay: paintings by Monet, Renoir, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and other renowned artists. As a result, you will understand the most beautiful direction of French painting, visit Paris at the end of the 19th century, and look at modern art in a new way.
What to expect
Impressionism in shades, stories, and details
Our path to the masterpieces of Impressionism will begin with the paintings of French academicians Ingres, Cabanel, Couture, and we will talk about the features of the style that was at the peak of popularity in the 1860s. You will learn about the official Parisian painting salons and the salon of the rejected artists and understand why Impressionism ascended to the throne of French painting at the beginning of the 20th century. We will take a closer look at the scandalous painting by Courbet "The Origin of the World," Manet's "Olympia," but the main emphasis will, of course, be on the outstanding works of the Impressionists - the famous "Breakfast" by Manet, "Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette" by Renoir, Degas' ballerinas, works from the series "Rouen Cathedral" by Monet, and the ingenious canvases that amaze with the play of form, color, and light. Then we will move on to the paintings of Van Gogh and Gauguin, get acquainted with the exposition of Pointillist works and sculptures by Rodin, one of the founders and legislators of modern sculpture.
The charm and atmosphere of Paris at the end of the 19th century
The program of our walk is compiled by professional art historians, so you will not only get acquainted with the masters of Impressionism but also be transferred to Paris at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the era of romanticism and sensuality, an era when the city and the whole world changed beyond recognition every day. You will feel the spirit of that time in the details of the paintings, facts from the artists' lives, and even in the shades of the canvases. And as a backdrop, ideally complementing the works of the Impressionists, will be the exquisite building of a railway station from the early 20th century in the Art Nouveau style, where the Orsay Museum is located.
Organizational Details
How the tour goes
- The tour is conducted for a group of 2 people or more. If you are alone, check with the guide before booking if the tour will take place on the desired date.
- The tour will be led by me or another professional guide from my team.
Additional expenses
- The guide will buy an entrance ticket for you in advance. Please return the cost of the ticket to him in cash during the tour (adult ticket costs 16€).
- Children under 18 enter the museum for free upon presentation of an age confirmation document.
- You can join the group if you have already purchased tickets independently.
- Be sure to inform the guide if you have a Paris Museum Pass or if you have purchased tickets to the museum yourself.
- Banknotes with a denomination of €200 and €500 are not accepted in France, so please prepare banknotes of smaller denominations in advance.
The tour can be conducted in individual format. For a group of 1-5 people - 250€ (entrance tickets to the museum are also paid separately).
