Guided tour of Orsay for Impressionists
What Jacquemart-André didn’t have
Édouard André began buying around 1860 : Delacroix, the Orientalists, the Barbizon School. Then, with Nélie, the Old Masters—Rembrandt, Botticelli, Uccello, Chardin, Fragonard. There isn’t a single Impressionist at 158, and that’s not an oversight, it’s a matter of taste. The couple collected the past while Monet painted in Argenteuil. Orsay, in the former left-bank train station, holds the other half of the century. Visiting both during the same trip lets you see what the 1880s bourgeoisie hung in their homes—and what they refused to hang.
Six or twenty-five
The tour comes in two formats. The semi-private option for six people, and the group option for up to twenty-five, with headsets if needed. The difference shows in the reviews. Agneta writes that Eric “was excellent,” that they “were only four,” and that it was “very personal.” Nancy says Chris “was wonderful” and that “the small group makes the tour intimate.” If you have the choice, go for the six-person format. With twenty-five, you hear everything perfectly thanks to the headsets, but you don’t ask questions.
The guide is an art historian, and that’s what stands out. Jack, in August 2026 : “Christina was excellent; we knew nothing about art and learned so much.” Augusto “discovered connections between the artists.” Wayne calls it “the most beautiful museum he’s ever seen” and a “fantastic guide,” while Ellen describes Anaïs as “fantastic” too. The ticket and booking fees are included—no need to go through the cashier.
Constraints, without sugarcoating
The tour is not wheelchair-accessible, unlike the Jacquemart-André Museum, which is fully accessible. Strollers, large bags, and suitcases are not allowed. Some rooms are not air-conditioned. Flash photography is prohibited. And there’s a lot of walking : two hours on your feet in a station, with stairs, isn’t the same as the ground floor of 158 Orsay. Orsay is closed on Mondays, the day Jacquemart-André is open, which simplifies part of your planning.
Included
- Art historian guide, in English
- Admission ticket and booking fees included
- Headsets if needed
- Monet, Renoir, Manet, Van Gogh, Cézanne, Degas
Not included
- Wheelchair accessible
- Strollers, large bags, suitcases
- Air conditioning in all rooms
- From the 8th arrondissement: allow 30 minutes
On Mondays, Orsay is closed and Jacquemart-André is open: it's the day of the 158. The rest of the week, visit Orsay in the morning and save Boulevard Haussmann for the afternoon—or for Friday evening. The journey, via Metro Line 13 then RER C or a 30-minute walk through Place de la Concorde, is detailed in getting there by metro.
Book the guided tour
To see what the André couple actually hung on their walls, the masterpieces page goes through each room, and who was Nélie Jacquemart explains why she bought in Italy rather than Argenteuil.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Orsay ticket included in the tour?
Yes, the entrance ticket and reservation fees are included, along with the art historian guide. At Jacquemart-André, however, the ticket must be purchased at the museum, which I explain in how much it costs.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
No, and it's announced. Lots of walking, stairs, and strollers are not allowed. The Jacquemart-André Museum, however, is fully accessible, with elevators. See accessibility.
Which day should you avoid?
On Mondays, Orsay is closed. Jacquemart-André, on the other hand, is open every day. The simplest schedule is Orsay on weekday mornings and the 158 on Monday or Friday evening. The museum's hours are on hours.
Six people or twenty-five?
Six, if the price and dates allow it. Agneta and Nancy's reviews focus on the small format, which is the one that allows for questions. I detail both in the full review.