Musée d’Orsay: The Golden Era of French Art
Step inside the Musée d’Orsay with Zacharie Boublie, Paris native and historian extraordinaire, to trace the daring journey from the Academy’s strict rules to the breakthroughs of Impressionism and beyond. This tour highlights works by Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Van Gogh, showing how artists challenged tradition and captured modern life. Along the way, you’ll uncover stories of scandal, innovation, and shifting society—from train stations and cafés to dancers and landscapes. Designed for art lovers, history enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike, this experience transforms the museum into a vivid story of change.
Created by Zacharie Boublie
Zacharie Boublie grew up in Paris and developed an interest in history through his grandfather's stories about living through World War II. After working various jobs around the city, he discovered he enjoyed sharing his knowledge of local landmarks with visitors.Nicolas's authentic Parisian perspective and conversational approach make him a natural at helping people connect with his beloved city.
"We followed this audio tour while visiting the museum and it was a real delight. The guide offered interesting knowledge on the history of the museum itself and the artists during the Impressionism movement. It was great to learn about the details and the unknown context of the pieces. Highly recommend!" - Elaine C.
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What you'll walk and learn about
The Elephant Statue
Begin this tour right outside Musée d’Orsay
The Statue of Liberty
Stand before the iconic Statue of Liberty
The Spinner
Hear the hidden story of Jean-François Millay’s painting
Plowing in the Nivernay
Learn about the trailblazing woman behind the painting
Birth of Venus
Compare two related, yet drastically different works of art
Les Romains de la Decadence
Unpack the details of this massive painting
Olympia
Hear the story behind this famous, yet controversial piece by Manet
La Charette
Appreciate all the small, beautiful details of Monet’s snowy scene
Paris from Above
Take in this aerial view of Paris from 1855
Museum Viewpoint
Hear about what this place would’ve looked like in the past
Iconic Clock Window
On a clear day, you can see Sacré-Cœur perfectly!
Luncheon on the Grass
Manet’s rulebreaker
Bal du Moulin de la Galette
Renoir’s masterpiece
Ballerina Paintings
Discover the dark stories behind Degas’s beautiful paintings
Degas’s Little Dancer
Stand before one of the most famous statues
In the City & In the Country
Renoir’s dancing contrasts
Paris Cityscape
Pick out the details of this painting by Pissarro
Water Lilies
Monet’s endless masterpiece
The Starry Night
Vincent Van Gogh’s triumph
"Wonderful! The explanation of the paintings and background stories were interesting and well explained. In addition the directions and pictures in the app made sure we found our way around. Thanks for making it idiot-proof so we could focus on the art :-) "
"The tour was spectacular! I took right after going to Montmartre following another tour and it’s really nice to see where the artists lived and later come here and see their works and the places they immortalized. Really amazing if you wanna focus on the Impressionists. "
"What a beautiful experience! The stories behind each painting were fascinating, especially Manet's works. The audio was clear and easy to follow."
"The tour was really fun and I loved learning about the Impressionists, especially the Luncheon on the Grass. Highly recommend!"