Summary
As its name suggests, the Musee de l’Orangerie is housed in the former Orangery of the Tuileries Gardens, built in 1852. This historic building now showcases one of French impressionist painter Claude Monet’s most luminous achievements: Les Nymphéas, a series of eight murals that took four years to complete, serving as a poignant meditation on peace during the turbulent times of World War I.
L’Orangerie also hosts an extraordinary exhibit of 19th and 20th-century art known as the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection, which features acclaimed works from notable artists including Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, and Picasso.
Location and Contact Information
The Orangerie museum is strategically located at the west end of the Jardin des Tuileries in the 1st arrondissement (district) of Paris, close to the Louvre and just across from the iconic Place de la Concorde.
Access:
Jardin des Tuileries (west end, facing Place de la Concorde)
Metro: Concorde
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 50 43 00
Visit the official website (click “English” on the upper right side of the screen)
Open: The museum welcomes visitors every day except Tuesdays, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. It is closed on Tuesday, May 1st, and December 25th (Christmas Day).
Tickets: Last tickets are sold at 5:30 pm. See current rates here. Admission is free every first Sunday of the month for all visitors.
The Paris Museum Pass includes admission to the Orangerie, making it a great option for art lovers looking to explore multiple museums.
Sights and Attractions Nearby
- Jardin des Tuileries
- Jeu de Paume National Gallery (in adjacent building)
- Louvre Museum
- Musee d’Orsay
- Opera Garnier
- Galeries Lafayette Department Store and Printemps Department Store
Highlights of the Permanent Collection
Claude Monet’s monumental Les Nymphéas (1914-1918) is the crown jewel of the Orangerie. Monet personally selected the space and created a total of eight panels, each measuring around two meters (6.5 feet) high. They stretch around the curved walls, providing a mesmerizing illusion of immersion in Monet’s serene water gardens at Giverny.
Meditations on Peace and Light
Inspired by the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Monet envisioned these works as a meditation on peace. The paintings subtly transform with the changing daylight, ensuring each visit presents a unique sensory experience. The extraordinary play of light within the murals is a breathtaking sight that cannot be fully captured through photographs or prints.
The Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection
Apart from Monet’s flagship work, the Orangerie features significant pieces from remarkable artists such as Paul Cézanne, Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Rousseau, Henri Matisse, Derain, Modigliani, Soutine, Utrillo, and Laurencin. This permanent collection has recently undergone extensive renovations, enhancing the presentation of these timeless masterpieces.
