has anyone done a guided tour at the Orsay w/ their guides? The website seems to indicate that their 90 minute tour costs 6 euros/pp @ 3PM. It seems like an odd time for their guided tour - I would think they would offer one in the morning.
Would you recommend the guided tour, their audioguide or the Rick Steve's free download?
In Rick's France guidebook he lists the options for tours at the Orsay:
Tours: Audioguides cost €5. English guided tours usually run daily at 11:30 (€6/1.5 hours, none on Sun, tours may also run at 14:30--inquire when you arrive). Or you can download this chapter as a free Rick Steves audio tour (search your device's app store for "Rick Steves' Audio Europe" or visit http://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/paris for the tour as a stand alone MP3 file).
I'd say whatever option you choose is a win. We really like the audio tours we've put together and they're free, so that's a plus. With Rick's audio tour, or a museum audio guide, you can skip around and go at your own leisure viewing the art, which I personally like. The Orsay houses some of the best Impressionist art you will find in Europe, so if this style is one of your favorites maybe doing a walking tour with a docent from the museum will give you more in depth insight. I'd say pick whichever of these options appeals to you most given your time and interests.
I was at the Orsay last week. The Paris Museum Pass is useful to avoid the ticket buying line, but you still have to stand in line for the security check, which is a good reason to avoid Tuesday at the Orsay, even with the Pass, because the Louvre is closed Tuesday. For minimizing crowds, the Thursday evening hours are good.
As mentioned in Rick's MP3 guide, the museum changes the location of some paintings, from the order mentioned in Rick's guide.
