I have 2 questions before visiting the Orsay Museum:
Do you recommend downloading Rick Steves’ audio guide or using the museum’s audio guide? And why?
How long is the museum’s audio guide? Rick says to allow about 90 minutes for his, and although that will obviously very, depending on how long and how often you pause the guide to spend more time at a certain painting…but approximately how long is the museum’s audio guide?
Thanks!
Rick's is going to be a highlights and overview with Rick's commentary. The museum's will be more in-depth.
My top Orsay tip if you're on your own, start at the top and work down. That's where the Impressionists are and that is the most crowded area.
Good restaurant up near the big round overlook windows, and there's a patio for photo ops as well.
Yes, last week I started at the John Singer Sargent exhibit then went to the top and did very well with crowds. Sargent was very busy a couple of hours later.
My tip for the Orsay is to not miss the masterpiece by Rosa Bonheur, Plowing in Nevers. Her depiction of freshly plowed earth will astound you. And the way she illustrates the interactions between man and cattle is unmatched. One of my favorite works.
The museum's guide is very comprehensive. But it isn't a "tour." You basically plug in the numbers next to the piece of art you are looking at, and it gives you a very good description of the art and artist. It will be longer in totality than any one visit would be. There is no way you would listen to the whole thing on one visit. I thought it was great, but I had a good idea of what kind of art I wanted to visit beforehand.
