Paris: Louvre & Musée d'Orsay Private Tour with Entry

Summary

Art walks from the Louvre to Orsay with stories behind every masterpiece

You’ll meet your guide at the Louvre pyramid before skipping lines inside for a private art walk through masterpieces and hidden corners. After coffee and a stroll across the Seine, explore Impressionist icons at Musée d’Orsay with reserved entry. Expect small surprises, real stories, and time to linger where you want — not just tick boxes.

What’s the experience like?

“Bonjour, c’est votre première fois?” That’s how Claire greeted us by the glass pyramid at the Louvre. She had this way of making you feel like you were about to see something secret, even though we were surrounded by hundreds of people. I’d been nervous about getting lost in those endless halls — honestly, the Louvre is a maze — but Claire moved us through crowds and past marble statues like she’d lived there her whole life. The Mona Lisa was smaller than I expected (everyone says that), but it’s the hush in that room I remember most. People just stand there, quiet, like they’re waiting for her to blink.

We wandered through centuries — Egyptian sarcophagi that smelled faintly dusty, cool stone under my hand when I leaned too close (Claire shot me a look). She pointed out details I would’ve missed: chipped toes on Venus de Milo, brushstrokes on Delacroix’s wild horses. After two hours my feet were already sore but I didn’t care. We grabbed a quick coffee outside (the espresso was bitter but woke me up), then crossed over the Seine towards Musée d’Orsay. It started to drizzle so we ducked under Claire’s umbrella — she laughed at my pronunciation of “Orsay” (I still can’t get it right).

The Orsay felt lighter somehow — maybe it’s all that glass and old train station bones. We skipped the line and walked straight into rooms full of color: Monet’s lilies, Van Gogh’s wild skies, Renoir’s dancers who look like they might spin off the canvas if you blinked. Claire told us how these artists dragged their easels outside just to catch the Paris light; I swear you can almost smell rain in some of those paintings. There was this one moment in front of Van Gogh’s self-portrait where nobody said anything for a while — not even Claire — and it felt weirdly personal.

I left tired and happy, shoes squeaking on wet pavement back toward the river. If you’re wondering whether a private tour is worth it — well, I still think about those quiet corners and all the little stories Claire told us along the way.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private tours at Louvre and Musée d'Orsay

• Meet guide at Louvre glass pyramid
• Take private 2-hour Louvre tour
• Walk 10 minutes over Seine River
• Enter Musée d'Orsay with skip-the-line
• Take private 2-hour Musée d'Orsay tour
• Explore museum at leisure

Top questions

How long does this Louvre & Musée d'Orsay tour last?

The tour lasts between 5 and 5.5 hours including a break between museums.

Is entry to both museums included in the price?

Yes, reserved timed entry tickets for both museums are included.

Where does the tour start?

You meet your guide at the Louvre's glass pyramid entrance in Paris' 1st Arrondissement.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, but only if booked as a private tour option (not semi-private).

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are allowed.

Do we have free time inside either museum?

You can continue exploring Musée d'Orsay at your own pace after the guided portion ends.

What happens if one museum is unexpectedly closed?

An alternative will be provided if closure delays entry more than an hour; refunds aren't available for closures.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, you'll meet your guide directly at the Louvre entrance.

What’s included

Your day includes skip-the-line entry tickets for both the Louvre Museum and Musée d'Orsay, plus a private expert guide leading you through each collection for about five hours (with a break in between). Everything is wheelchair accessible if booked privately; all entrance fees are covered so you don’t have to worry about extra costs or waiting in ticket lines.