What to do in Orsay

Activities, attractions and tours

Places to Visit in Orsay

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Orsay, Île-de-France while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Orsay attractions from NZ$58, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Orsay tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 52 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Orsay. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

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Top places to visit

1. Eiffel Tower

It may seem hard to believe now, but the 10,000 tonnes of the Eiffel Tower's ironwork, Paris' most recognisable landmark, were earmarked for a dismantling in 1909. Built in 1889 to mark the World Fair, which was held in Paris on the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution, the Tower only had a 20-year licence. Now it is hard to imagine Paris without it. Not that many were keen to imagine Paris with it, back at the time of its construction. Three hundred prominent Parisian artists and writers signed a petition against it, saying it was “a giddy, ridiculous tower dominating Paris like a gigantic black smokestack.”
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From the ground looking up, or from its lofty heights looking down, the Eiffel Tower is the best view in town.

2. Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is one of the few museums in the world that can say it started with 'people power'. Literally. One of the first decrees of the new National Assembly, after the French Revolution, was that this former palace of the King be turned into a national museum, for all of France to enjoy. Much of its initial exhibition, in 1793, came from church and royal property 'liberated for the people' during the revolution. That tradition of being the natural home for France's national treasures continues to this day.
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The Louvre is where the Mona Lisa shines her enigmatic half-smile for visitors – and where 34,999 other fabulous attractions await your attention.

3. Notre-Dame

Notre Dame didn't just spring from the Seine fully-formed. But as a supremely-balanced icon of Gothic architectural perfection – and spiritual anchor to all of Paris' many-faced glories – it's hard to imagine something this sublime being the work of mere mortals. The blocks, buttresses, gargoyles and windows of Notre-Dame de Paris are, however, most certainly mortal handiwork. One-hundred and eighty-two years of masonry, sculpting and leading, to be precise. The result is an artistic and religious treasure that has bought visitors to this island on the Seine for seven centuries.
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Notre Dame Cathedral featuring a church or cathedral, heritage architecture and heritage elements

4. Arc de Triomphe

Triumph is what Napoleon asked for, and triumph is what he got. The Arc de Triomphe is a monumental slab of architecture, commissioned by the Emperor in 1806 to glorify his victories. But it has since taken on a life of its own. While this grand arch was to be a marker of Napoleon's battlefield successes, in the 200 years since its foundations were laid, it has been a monument to peace, defeat and personal loss, as well as victory. Leaders, enemies and armies of four French Republics have paraded underneath (or around) its 49-metre high arch.
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Arc de Triomphe showing night scenes, a city and street scenes

5. Champs-Élysées

You can't get more prime-retail than the Champs-Élysées. Once a lush gathering of meadows and market gardens north-west of Paris, it is now a glittering avenue into its heart, that's paved with retail gold. But although it is thick with designer stores, elite purveyors of French luxury and flashy brand-name outlets, it manages to maintain a formal, grand elegance. This is Paris, after all. Elegance was penned into its genes from the moment it was marked out as the Grand Cours in the 17th-century.
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Champs Elysees featuring heritage architecture, a city and signage

6. Palais Garnier

Treat yourself to an evening of classical entertainment at the Paris Opera (Opéra National de Paris). Admire the handsome architecture and luxurious interiors of Palais Garnier, the home of this historic French opera company. Learn about the 300-year-old past of the Paris Opera via art collections, multimedia displays and museum exhibits.
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Paris showing heritage elements, street scenes and a city

7. Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Gardens, which sits almost a kilometre south the Ile de France, are one of Paris' most popular parks. Students and senators, tourists and locals – all make a bee-line for this green square in the heart of the Latin Quarter, and for good reason. In a city spoilt with formal gardens and parks, this is one that has something for everyone. Tennis courts, puppet shows, pony rides and a boules court are all tucked into its formal quadrangles. It has greenhouses, a restaurant and even its own small art museum – the Musée du Luxembourg. But this most French of open spaces owes its existence to an Italian – Marie de Medici.
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A wide green square in the Latin Quarter, popular with students and government workers, and where Parisians have come to relax for the past four hundred years.

Recommended things to do in Orsay

Number of things to do
52
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Jewels of Versailles in-app audio tour (WITHOUT A TICKET): NZ$58
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Orsay

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Orsay

Photo "Les Ulis" by Lionel Allorge (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Lionel Allorge (CC BY-SA)

Les Ulis

Photo "Palaiseau" by Ecole polytechnique Université Paris-Saclay (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Ecole polytechnique Université Paris-Saclay (CC BY-SA)

Palaiseau

Photo "Gif-sur-Yvette" by Lionel Allorge (CC BY-SA) / Cropped from original
Photo by Lionel Allorge (CC BY-SA)

Gif-sur-Yvette

Frequently asked questions

Is Orsay worth visiting?
Orsay offers a unique mix of local charm, attractions and culture. Whether you're into history, outdoor activities or regional cuisine, there are many things you'll enjoy here.
How do I spend a day in Orsay?
When you've checked off major attractions like Palace of Versailles and Grand Trianon, spend the rest of your day experiencing Orsay's retail and dining scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Orsay?
Don't go home without checking out Palace of Versailles, rated the top tourist attraction in Orsay.
Is three days enough to stay in Orsay?
Three days will give you enough time to check out the leading city sights, like Musée de la Toile de Jouy, Linas-Montlhéry Autodrome and Le Grand Dôme. The average stay in Orsay is three days. If you feel the urge to extend your getaway, Paris isn't far away.
Is Orsay a walkable city?
With popular neighbourhoods and top attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Orsay is a good place to discover on foot. Have fun wandering between Le Grand Dôme and Abbey of Saint-Louis-du-Temple. Then take a stroll through Ardennes, located 2 kilometres from downtown, and Champagne, which is roughly 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Orsay with kids?
Planning what to do in Orsay with kids has never been so easy. Whether you're holidaying with teenagers or toddlers, there's no shortage of family-friendly tours and activities to keep them happy here.

What to do in Orsay for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in Orsay, with entertainment for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Petites Écuries or École Polytechnique.
Are there free things to do in Orsay?
One of the best ways to discover free things to do in Orsay is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on vibrant neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can enjoy without getting your cash out. Musée de la Toile de Jouy is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.