Most visitors to Paris know about the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay (Orsay Museum), but there’s another museum with a phenomenal collection that often gets overlooked. The Musée de l'Orangerie (The Orangerie Museum), located in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Garden), hosts an impressive collection of impressionist and post-impressionist pieces, most notably Monet’s masterpiece, Water Lilies. While you’re there, don’t forget to admire paintings by Picasso and Cezanne. Find out more about the museum with a video in the auditorium. Finally, grab a snack at the café to keep your energy up after a long visit.
Learn more about the museum and its collection
Originally constructed in 1852, as an orangerie of the Tuileries Palace, the Musee de l'Orangerie is a gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist works. It is located in the western corner of the Jardin de Tuileries on the bank of the Seine river. It is also bordered by the Place de la Concorde. During the 19th century, the space was used as bunkers for soldiers, as a storage space for dry goods, and as an events hall. In 1921, the space became an annex of the Musee du Luxembourg. It was around this time, also, that Monet expressed interest in donating his famous paintings from the Water Lilies collection to the French government in celebration of the end of World War I.
Due to its vast wall space, the orangerie was chosen as the location for Monet’s masterpiece. With the help of the Louvre’s head architect, Monet redesigned the space to best highlight his works. He included oval rooms with plain walls and little interior direction. Perhaps most important, however, was the incorporation of natural light through skylights.
The renovation was finished at the end of 1923, but Monet refused to part with his beloved paintings. They stayed with him until his death in December 1926. Soon after his death, the panels were installed. The space opened to the public in May 1927. Since its opening, the space has undergone several renovations, notably in 1944 after shells fell into the museum during the battle for the Liberation of Paris.
An underground level was added during the most recent renovation works between 1999 and 2006. This level houses the museum cafe, an auditorium, and the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection. This collection contains paintings from masters such as Cezanne and Picasso.
Pause and reflect while looking at Water Lilies
Monet’s greatest work of art, Water Lilies, is perfectly at home in the Musée de l’Orangerie. In fact, the two rooms that host the eight panels were specially designed by Monet to fit his works. His idea was to create a space that would provide Parisians with an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is certainly the case. As soon as you enter the oval-shaped rooms with skylights that allow daylight to enter, you’ll be serene and forget that you’re in Paris.
Painted between 1914 and his death in 1926, the paintings depict Monet’s water garden in Giverny, France. Through his works, he sought to capture the changing qualities of light in his garden. Each of the tableaus in the museum represents a specific time of day, between sunrise and sunset. Furthermore, Monet deliberately omitted the horizon, or any other element that could be used for orientation, from his paintings as a means to hypnotize the viewer.
As with many great artists, Monet’s masterpiece was not appreciated until after his death. Since the advent of abstract art after the Second World War, however, viewers have come in droves to sit, contemplate, and appreciate the artistic genius of the works.
Tour works by other masters
The Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection is house under the ground floor of the museum. Originally created from a private collection, this space hosts works from some of France’s greatest impressionist painters including Renoir and Cezanne. In addition, find works from post-impressionists like Matisse and Picasso. Visitors will appreciate the still lifes, portraits, and landscapes that were so beautifully captured by these 20th century geniuses.
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Recharge at the café
After a day of visiting the museum, you might find yourself feeling hungry and in need of a pick-me-up. Luckily, you won’t have to go far to find fuel. Located between the ground floor and the lower level, the Musée de l’Orangerie Café serves up classic temptations like coffee, muffins, and cold drinks. However, there are also freshly made sandwiches, salads, and quiches sure to please everyone.
Paris Tour Guide
Angénic Agnero
Paris Tour Guide
Patricia Bollinger
My name is Patricia Bollinger and my family is French. I have always had a passion for art and history and I chose to study them when I went to university. I have been a licensed tour guide for the last 30 years and I work in French, English and Italian. My passion and also as part of my work I travel a lot. For this reason, I have a good idea of visitors expectations. Naturally I want to share this passion for my country and its heritage with foreign visitors.I also love cooking and I am a foody.
Tours by Patricia
Don’t hesitate to visit this fantastic museum
While smaller than the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, the Musée de l‘Orangerie is well-worth any visitor’s time in Paris. With its breathtaking location in the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries next to the Seine and the masterpieces inside, this museum is truly a place to go to relax and enjoy during a visit to the capital. The museum is open every day, except Tuesdays, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Admission costs 9 EUR (10 USD) for adults. Reduced tickets are available for those under 26 and cost 6.50 EUR (7 USD). For access, take subway lines 1, 8, or 12 and get off at stop Concorde.
History
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