Paris: Musée d'Orsay & Montmartre Private Art Tour

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/44

Duration5h 30m

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · DE +4

Mobile ticketAccepted

Impressionist masterpieces then Montmartre’s winding streets and artists’ cafés

You’ll trace the story of Impressionism from inside Musée d’Orsay’s echoing halls to Montmartre’s winding lanes with a private guide by your side. See works by Monet and Van Gogh up close, ride between districts in comfort, wander past artist haunts like Moulin Rouge and Place du Tertre, and pause inside Sacré-Cœur — all at your own pace.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Impressionist art and Montmartre

Tour Museum d'Orsay artworks
See Manet and Renoir paintings
Learn about Impressionist artists
Admire Monet and Van Gogh works
Travel by private car to Montmartre
Visit Moulin Rouge windmill
Walk cobbled streets of Montmartre
See Van Gogh’s house on Rue Lepic
Explore Place Dalida square
Stroll Jardin Sauvage de St-Vincent
Visit Le Clos Montmartre vineyard
See Le Lapin Agile cabaret
Enter Sacré-Coeur Basilica
Pass Place du Tertre artists’ square
View Espace Dali museum
See Bateau-Lavoir artist residence
Visit La Maison de Dalida

The Experience

Hands tucked in my jacket pockets, I followed our guide through the Musée d'Orsay, and for some reason, the smell of old wood and varnish hit me before anything else. She paused by Manet’s “Luncheon on the Grass” — I’d seen it in books but up close, the colors felt almost defiant. Our guide (Marie — she had this gentle way of talking about scandal) explained how these paintings shocked people back then. There was a moment by Monet’s poppies where I just stood there, not really listening, just letting the brushstrokes blur into each other. The museum itself is beautiful in that slightly faded way train stations are — high ceilings, echoes everywhere.

Afterwards we climbed into a car (I was grateful for that; my feet were already protesting), and headed for Montmartre. The driver took us past the Moulin Rouge — its red windmill turning slow as if it couldn’t be bothered to hurry. Marie pointed out Van Gogh’s old place on Rue Lepic; honestly, I’d have missed it if she hadn’t stopped us. The streets here are steep and cobbled, and you can hear snippets of French from open windows or cafés. There was this little square dedicated to Dalida — someone left fresh flowers on her statue’s hand. We wandered past Le Clos Montmartre vineyard (tiny but stubbornly green), then stopped at Au Lapin Agile where artists used to drink and argue until sunrise.

The climb up to Sacré-Cœur is no joke — I nearly lost count of the steps. Inside it was hushed except for shuffling feet and the faint sound of coins dropping into a donation box. Light spilled through stained glass onto the floor in strange colors. Outside, Paris sprawled below us in every direction; someone nearby started humming “La Vie en Rose.” I still think about that view sometimes when I hear an accordion back home.

What’s included

Your day includes reserved entry fees for both Musée d’Orsay and all scheduled stops in Montmartre, private guided touring throughout, comfortable transport between museum and hilltop district, plus time to explore inside Sacré-Cœur Basilica before returning on your own schedule.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Babylon Tours Paris