Guide to Museum Orangerie in Paris

If you’re a fan of impressionist-era paintings, then you must visit the museum Orangerie in Paris. This popular art gallery is situated in the west corner of the famous Tuileries Gardens. It’s home to famous masterpieces by many artists of the time including Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Armedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

So, let’s look into why you must not miss this artistic space during your Paris Museum Tours:

The Orangerie museum is home to one of the largest collections of 20th century art by famous artists of the time.

If you’ve heard of Monet’s famous painting of eight water lilies, then here’s your chance to see it.

Admire famous works of art such as Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’, William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s ‘The Birth of Venus’, and Edouard Manet’s ‘Olympia’.

Experience peaceful meditation in the room amongst the flowering aquarium.

Brief History of Museum Orangerie in Paris

The neoclassical building was commissioned by Napoleon III in 1852. Between 1852 to 1870 it was used as a greenhouse to protect plants from the cold weather. Until the end of the 19th century, it was used as a warehouse and as an event hall for concerts, various sports competitions, and exhibitions.

By the end of WWI, Claude Monet was working on his water lilies series which was set to be displayed in the Rodin Museum. But there were some influential people who really wanted these big, magnificent panels in the Orangerie Museum.

So, in 1922, when the deal was completed, Monet agreed to donate his water lilies series to the Orangerie in Paris. The artist designed two oval rooms, with natural light and forming the infinity symbol, to display the eight panels of water lilies.

Between 1959 and 1963, the Jean Walther and Paul Guillaume Collection became the property of the museum, undergoing a major renovation and displaying 144 paintings from the collection.

The last renovation was carried out by Olivier Brochet between 2000 and 2006. Temporary exhibition rooms, an auditorium, an educational centre and a library were also created.

What to See at the Orangerie in Paris

Water Lilies by Claude Monet

This is THE reason you will be visiting the Orangerie Museum in Paris. Located in two separate oval rooms (that together make the infinity symbol), these works of art are amazing and very beautiful.

On November 11, 1918, the day after the Armistice, Claude Monet made the decision to present a collection of paintings to the French government as a sign of peace. Surprisingly, this collection of water lilies (Les Nymphéas) belonged to a series of paintings on the theme, which the artist had started almost thirty years ago.

Monet was inspired by the water garden he owned at his home in Giverny. He was able to depict the passage of the hours from dawn to dusk by capturing the changing light in nature. The serene landscapes of these works of art are dotted by water lilies and weeping willows, as well as by the reflection of trees and clouds in the water.

He described his work as – “the illusion of an endless whole, of water without horizon and without shore”. In addition to donating this exquisite work of art to the museum, Monet played a huge role in the architectural design of the building with architect Camille Lefevre.

During the Paris Museum Tours we recommend you take your time in each room. Stand back and take a look at the entire scene. Then get up close and personal with every brush stroke. The first room is all about the water lilies and other plant life in the water. You will see the reflections of the sky from morning to evening.

In the second room, you will see the weeping willow trees as they play on the water with the light. These paintings are simply stunning and you will have great admiration for Monet who could paint these works of art.

Finally, the museum staff will ask you to maintain silence in the two rooms where the water lilies are displayed. Many people find these scenes very calming and peaceful and like to sit quietly, reflecting and meditating.

The Paul Guillaume and Jean Walter Collection

The Orangerie in Paris treasures are not limited to the eight-panels of Monet’s water lilies, so the next thing to do at the Orangerie is to visit its underground section. Here you’ll find a permanent exhibition of masterpieces from the 19th and early 20th centuries known as the Paul Guillaume and Jean Walter Collection. It also features works from other French and foreign masters, such as Matisse, Modigliani, Cezanne or Picasso, the collection includes 144 works of impressionist and post-impressionist art.

To give you a brief history – Paul Guillaume and Jean Walter were two French collectors who, in the course of their lives, at two different times, created the collection of works that we can admire today at the Orangerie Museum. Paul Guillaume was an art dealer who collected hundreds of paintings and some African artwork from 1910 to 1934 (the year of his death). During his lifetime, he thought about establishing a museum, but did not succeed.

It was his wife – Domenica, who after the death of her husband, remarried architect Jean Walter, took over the collection, and gave it to the Orangerie Museum, which later became an art collection of the French State.

Later, along with her second husband, she expanded the collection and it’s because of her efforts we can now admire more than 20 works by Renoir, 15 by Cezanne and there are also masterpieces by Picasso, Gauguin, Sisley, Matisse, Modigliani and many other artists of the early 20th century.

Artworks by Picasso

Pablo Picasso was a world-renowned artist and you will find some of his most incredible works of art in the museum. He was a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist and theatre designer who spent most of his adult life in France – his works at the Orangerie in Paris will surely leave you mesmerised.

Artworks by Amedeo Modigliani

Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian painter and sculptor who worked for most part of his life in France. He is known for his modern style portraits and nudes featuring surreal stretches of faces, necks and figures. At the museum some of his famous artworks include – ‘Woman with a Velvet Ribbon’, ‘Redhead Girl’, ‘The Young Apprentice’, and ‘Antonia’.

Artworks by Andre Derain

Andre Derain was a French artist, painter and sculptor. Some of his famous artworks at the museum include – ‘The Painter’s Niece’, ‘Rose in a Vase’, ‘Trees and Village’, ‘The Road’, and ‘Le Grand Morin’.

Visitors Information

The museum is located near the Seine River, at the southwest entrance of the Tuileries Garden in Concorde Square.

It’s a relatively small and easy museum to visit.

Opening Hours: 9 am to 6 pm, the last entry is at 5:15 pm.

The museum can be visited every day, except on Tuesdays and public holidays – May 1st, July 14th (morning only), and December 25th.

There’s a small cafe within the premises that’s open 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and a book & gift shop that operates from 9 am to 5:45 pm.

The top floor also has an auditorium, teaching room, children’s reading room, and a large room for special exhibitions.

Photography in certain galleries is prohibited.

Best Time to Visit

There’s no perfect time to visit the museum, but it’s believed the views are at their best at sunset. It’s also the perfect time to socialize with different people.

If you’re someone who does not like the crowds, then visiting in the early hours of morning or afternoon is the best time to visit.

If you have the choice, be sure to go on a weekday.

Orangerie in Paris Tickets with Rosotravel

During your Paris Museum Tours, this place is a must visit because inside the halls of this museum there are some amazing impressionist and post-impressionist works, including Monet’s water lilies.

By booking your tickets with Rosotravel, you will take advantage of a skip-the-line ticket and gain entry into the museum, so you will not waste precious time, but spend a good amount of time admiring the works that this museum holds.

You will be accompanied by an expert art guide who will give you all information about the masterpieces of the museum. The gallery also houses sculptures by artists such as Camille Claudel, Alfred Barye and Auguste Rodin, making it a must-see for art lovers.

We also offer a steal-deal combo ticket for the two together – Orangerie Museum and Palais Garnier

Now that you know the best artwork you must see in Orangerie Museum, we hope you have also enjoyed reading this article.

If you have visited this museum, do share your thoughts and experiences. And if you need any further information don’t hesitate to contact us.

You will love visiting the Orangerie in Paris especially if you’re looking for a place that’s not too crowded with tourists.

So, are you ready to join our Paris Museum Tours with your favourite guide – Rosotravel?