Combo: Orsay Museum + Montmartre Guided Tour

Details

Immerse yourself in the lives and art of the Impressionists on our 5.5-hour Musée d'Orsay and Montmartre combo tour. 

This private tour will take you on a personalized journey through the revolutionary period in art and Parisian history. At the Musée d'Orsay, your guide will lead you through this stunning repurposed train station, originally built for the 1900 World's Fair, that now houses the world's greatest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces. Discover the artistic upheavals and bold new techniques that defined the movement, from Manet's scandalous masterpieces, "Olympia" and "Luncheon on the Grass," to Renoir's joyful "Dance at Le Moulin de la Galette" and Van Gogh's mesmerizing “Starry Night Over the Rhone.” Then, you'll make your way to Montmartre (transport included), where you'll step back in time to the Belle Époque, a golden age of creativity and excess, when the cancan electrified cabarets and artists lingered over absinthe in all-night Cafés. Begin at the iconic Moulin Rouge, then wind your way through Montmartre's narrow streets, uncovering exactly what drew these painters and bohemians to the area. Finally, reach the gleaming white Sacré-Cœur, where you'll end your tour with breathtaking panoramic views of Paris.

Itinerary

• Begin with a 2.5 hour tour of the Musée d'Orsay with one of our expert guides. Esplanade Valary Giscard d'Estaing, your guide will then take you to Montmartre for the second portion of the tour (transport included). Stops may include but are not limited to:
• Blanche métro — Begin your tour at Blanche métro at the base of the butte (French for "hill"), this bustling area was once the epicenter of Paris' bohemian nightlife. Your guide will introduce you to Montmartre's rich history, its artistic legacy, and what makes this enchanting neighborhood so different from the rest of the city. (10 minutes)
• Moulin Rouge — Step into the world of Belle Époque Paris as you arrive at the legendary Moulin Rouge. Since 1889, this world-famous cabaret has dazzled audiences with its lavish performances, flamboyant costumes, and high-kicking cancan dancers. (10 minutes)
• Café des Deux Moulins — Pass by the charming Café featured in Amelie, the beloved French film that became one of the country's most internationally successful movies. (10 minutes)
• Rue Lepic — Stroll along the lively Rue Lepic, lined with bars and restaurants and home to artists, poets, and philosophers. This historic street continues to capture the creative essence of the area. (10 minutes)
• Maison de Vincent Van Gogh — Pay tribute to the world's most beloved Dutch artist outside of the apartment where the artist spent two of his most productive years. Learn how his time in Montmartre and exposure to Impressionism transformed his artistic vision. (10 minutes)
• Moulin de la Galette — See the historic windmill that inspired Renoir's masterpiece Dance at the Moulin de la Galette and discover the fate of the many other windmills that once dotted Montmartre's hills. (10 minutes)
• Square Suzanne Buisson — Visit this peaceful garden, where locals play pétanque (bowls), and learn how Montmartre gained its name. In front of the statue of St. Denis, Paris' first bishop and one of its patron saints, hear the legendary story of his martyrdom. (10 minutes)
• Place de Dalida — Stroll through Montmartre's most picturesque streets to reach this secluded square, dedicated to France's beloved disco queen, Dalida. With over 170 million records sold, she remains a French icon, and this spot continues to draw fans who come to pay tribute. (10 minutes)
• La Maison Rose — See the charming pink restaurant immortalized by Montmartre local and post-Impressionist painter Maurice Utrillo. (10 minutes)
• Vigne du Clos Montmartre — Admire Montmartre's own hidden vineyard, nestled behind the Sacré-Cœur. Overlooking the vines is the Musée de Montmartre, once the studio of painters like Renoir and Suzanne Valadon. (10 minutes)
• Le Cabaret du Lapin Agile — While the Moulin Rouge is Montmartre's most famous cabaret, Le Lapin Agile was Picasso's favorite. Still hosting shows today, this intimate cabaret remains one of the area's best-kept secrets. (10 minutes)
• Place du Tertre — “The Artist's Square”, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where local artists set up their easels, just as they have for over a century. Explore this historic square and perhaps even take home an original artwork. (10 minutes)
• Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre — End your tour at the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris. Consecrated in 1914, this white-stone church sits atop Montmartre's highest point. Before exploring its interior (self-guided), take in the breathtaking panoramic views over Paris. (10 minutes)