Guide to the Orangerie Museum in Paris: Tickets & Exhibitions

A Guide to the Orangerie Museum in Paris in France

Located in the left corner of most Central Park of Paris, le Parc des Tuileries, the Orangerie Museum displays impressionist and post-impressionist paintings.

It is best to know before going, this museum is commonly known as “the Sistine Chapel of Impressionism”. 

On this page, we will tell you what you can see at Musée de l'Orangerie, how you can get there, how the entrance works or the most famous artwork in the museum. 

Ready for a tour at the Orangerie Museum with your favorite guide? 

What can I do at the Orangerie Museum ?

The museum stands out with its rich collection of impressionism, post-impressionism and École de Paris movements.

The museum includes works of famous artists such as Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Rousseau, Marie Laurencin, Chaim Soutine, Alfred Sisley and Maurice Utrillo.

The Orangerie Museum that has been used as the former greenhouse of the Tuileries Palace, is located in Tuileries Garden, one of the most pleasant green zones of Paris.

By entering to this very special museum, you will step into the world of 19th century impressionist artists and see how they transferred their visual impressions into paintings effected particularly by light and color.

A timeless experience...

Permanent Exhibition

On the ground floor, you can go directly to the museum's most famous Monet's Water Lilies cycle series room, so you would not be wandering about it the whole time.

Or you can save it to the last and finalize your visit in these soul capturing oval rooms filled with 8 unique compositions and stay in this dreamland as long as you want.

There is no question about the impressionist style stands out in the museum.

You will also see different styles that painters have tried over time like works of Marie Laurencin a Parisian who inspired many Cubist painters. Her paintings are focused specifically on the themes of femininity and feminine aesthetic.

Although small in number, the sculpture collection of the museum should not be underestimated. One of them is Auguste Rodin's Le Baisier which can be seen in front of the museum's entrance.

Average lenght of visit of the Orangerie Museum is from 1.5 to 2 hours. It is possible to hire an audioguide and hear about the details of the artworks.

Water Lilies cycle by Claude Monet

Water Lilies cycle by Claude Monet in Paris in France
  • Impressionist French painter Claude Monet has found so much love and passion on nature,flowers and especially water lilies depicted in more than 200 of his paintings.
  • By the end of the 1st World War, on the day after Armistice Day in 1918, Monet presented his works in the form of water lilies to the French State to celebrate peace.
  • In the 1920s the French government built two oval exhibition rooms to house his massive paintings at the Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris as a tribute to this great Impressionist.
  • Today, eight unique compositions painted between 1918 and 1926, each 2 meters high and extending 91 meters in length overall, are arranged in 2 oval rooms which creates a fascinating atmosphere.
  • Imagine yourself in a circular room whose walls are filled with water and adorned with natural beauties. It is possible to see how he created special light effects on the nature by using various greens, blues and purple in some places. The stillness and silence of the water reflects the harmony and peace in the nature. The tones are somewhat cloudy, subtle and dreamy.
  • These two rooms of the museum are functioning as a special shelter for the visitors to find serenity witnessing the skillfully used colors in the water and nature. 

The Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection

The Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection in Paris in France

After the sudden death of famous art dealer Paul Guillaume , who collected hundreds of paintings raging from European to African, his widow Domenica followed his dream about founding a museum. She was remarried to the architect Jean Walter, and together they made an arrangement of the collection.

This collection features works of many impressionist period artists such as Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin, Monet and Sisley.

Temporary Exhibitions

There is always a temporary exhibition usually related to 19'th century art and impressionism which attracts the attention of both Parisians and many art lover travelers.

Don't hesitate to check the Museum Orangerie's official website for up-to-date information.

Entrance, Tickets and Tours to Orangerie Museum

Orangerie Museum in Paris in France
  • Tickets: You can get your Online Tickets Orangerie and Skip the Line.
  • Tours: Enjoy an English Guided Tour. It takes about 1.5 hour. You can ask to the cash desk 15 minutes before the visit without booking online. You can get information about the masterpieces of the museum from an expert guide.
  • Do you know the Paris Museum Pass? Thanks to this special pass, you will access all the important museums of Paris while cutting out the queues and saving money. Discover the different options and get your Paris Museum Pass on our Shop!

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How to get to the Musée de l'Orangerie

Musée de l'Orangerie is located near the Seine River, at the southwest entrance of the Tuileries Garden in Concorde Square.

Metro: You can reach the museum by getting off at the Concorde stop by using one of the metro lines 1, 8 and 12. 

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can you take photos inside the Musée de l'Orangerie?

That is not allowed to take photos inside the upper galleries of Musée de l’Orangerie.

Where can I buy ticket for Musée de l'Orangerie?

Tickets for Musée de l'Orangerie can be purchased on site at the ticket counter and online. Online Ticket

Where is Musée de l'Orangerie?

The Musée de l'Orangerie is located near the Seine River, at the southwest entrance of the Tuileries Garden in Concorde Square.

History of Paris Orangerie Museum

History of Paris Orangerie Museum in Paris in France

The neoclassical building was constructed in 1852 by the architect Firmin Bourgeois upon the request of Napoleon III. Between the years 1852-1870, it has been used as a greenhouse to protect plants from cold weather.

By the end of the 19th century, it was used as a warehouse and also as an event hall for concerts, various sports competitions and exhibitions.

With the end of the First World War and the meaningful gift of Monet, the purpose of use of the building has also changed. Monet and his politician friend Georges Clemencau contributed greatly to the building being used as a museum.

Monet's Water Lilies Cycle (or Nymphéas) was presented to the French people to be displayed in this building.

Between 1959 and 1963, the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection became the property of the museum and a major renovation was carried out to display 144 paintings in the collection.

The final renovation was made by Olivier Brochet between 2000-2006. Temporary exhibition halls, an auditorium, an education space and a library were also created. 

Contact & Map

  • Address: Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, 75001 PARIS
  • Opening Hours: 9 to 18:00 - Closed on Tuesdays
  • Public Transport: "Concorde" station on the Metro lines 1, 8 and 12 
  • Website: https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en

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