In the Jardin des Tuileries near Place de la Concorde, the Musée de l’Orangerie is a compact art museum best known for Claude Monet’s eight Water Lilies paintings. They curve around two oval rooms, so you can take in the changing views from the centre as well as along the walls. The lower-level galleries add works by Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse and Modigliani. Its smaller scale suits a focused visit, and the garden outside makes an easy next stop.
Monet’s Water Lilies in two oval rooms
The museum’s best-known rooms were planned around Claude Monet’s large Water Lilies paintings, also called Les Nymphéas. Eight canvases follow the curves of two oval galleries, surrounding the viewer with scenes drawn from the artist’s garden at Giverny. Monet worked with architect Camille Lefèvre on the layout, and the paintings were made for this setting.
The panels were given to the French state as a commemoration of the end of the First World War. Take time to look from different points in each room: the canvases stretch along the walls, and the curved arrangement changes how the scenes meet your eye.
The collection below
The museum continues downstairs with the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection, bringing together Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting. Works by artists including Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani and Rousseau give the visit a broader scope than the Monet rooms alone.
The compact galleries make it possible to focus on particular artists without planning a full day around the museum. If you have visited the Water Lilies rooms first, leave time to explore this collection before heading back into the Tuileries.
A former orangery in the Tuileries
The building was constructed in 1852 as an orangery for the Tuileries Palace, sheltering citrus trees through winter. It later became a museum, and its position in the garden places it close to Place de la Concorde and within walking distance of the Louvre.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Arriving early can give you a calmer visit to the Water Lilies galleries; booking ahead is useful if you want to reduce the wait to enter. For more context in English, arrange an audio guide or download a guide before your visit.
Perguntas frequentes
What is the Musée de l’Orangerie known for?
It is best known for Claude Monet’s eight Water Lilies paintings, displayed in two oval rooms. The museum also has Impressionist and Post-Impressionist works by artists including Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso and Matisse.
How long should I spend at the Musée de l’Orangerie?
Allow about 1 to 2 hours to see the Water Lilies rooms and the lower-level collection.
Is the Musée de l’Orangerie closed on Tuesdays?
Yes. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Should I book Musée de l’Orangerie tickets in advance?
Booking ahead can help you avoid waiting to enter.
