English
EUR
Language
Currency
Contents

Everything you need to know about the Orangerie Museum

Located on the west corner of Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, the Orangerie Museum was built in 1852 to shelter the acidic citrus fruits during the chilly winters. Today, it houses some of the most famous Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art, i...

Also Known As

L'Orangerie

Founded On

1852

Founded By

Camille Lefèvre, Claude Monet, Napoleon III

Quick Information

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

VISITORS PER YEAR

800000

Did you know?

Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a dear friend of Monet, gifted one of his paintings, "Bathers with a Crab," to the French state on the condition that it be displayed at the Orangerie Museum . The painting is now part of the museum's collection.

The Water Lilies series at the Orangerie Museum was a lifelong project for Monet, and he worked on it for over 30 years until he died in 1926.

Before becoming a museum, the Orangerie Museum hosted the Salon des Tuileries, an annual art exhibition that showcased contemporary French art. Only at the beginning of the 20th century was the Orangerie turned into an art gallery museum.

























Book Orangerie Museum tickets

Orangerie Museum Fast-Track Tickets
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
More details
Combo (Save 4%): Orsay Museum with Audio Guide + Orangerie Museum Tickets
Mobile ticket
Audio guide
More details
from
€36.29
Combo (Save 4%): Orangerie Museum + Louvre Museum With Audio Guide
Mobile ticket
Audio guide
More details
from
€40.80

Why visit the Orangerie Museum?

  • Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artwork: Housed within a transformed former orangery in the Tuileries Garden, the museum features paintings influenced by the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist movements. You will view a collection by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Modigliani, highlighting art that redefined painting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • Monet's Nymphéas Murals: The iconic Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series by Claude Monet is the undeniable highlight, drawing art enthusiasts from across the globe. These murals are large painted canvases, specially designed for the oval rooms, offering an immersive experience of Monet's vision.
  • Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection: The museum also showcases the prestigious Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection, a treasure trove of early 20th-century art. This collection reveals the diverse art and artists of the time, showing the collectors' excellent taste.

Explore the Orangerie Museum

Visitors exploring art exhibits at Orangerie Museum, Paris.
Artworks displayed inside Orangerie Museum, Paris, featuring Impressionist paintings.

The Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection Galleries

After the Water Lilies, explore the impressive collection of early 20th-century art collected by art dealers Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume. These galleries showcase works by celebrated artists, where you can view art by Renoir including portraits and nudes, landscapes and still life portraits by Cézanne. The collection also features distinct portraits by Modigliani, with a comprehensive look at the diverse artistic movements that reshaped painting.

History of the Orangerie Museum

  • 1852: Construction of Orangerie Museum, designed by architect Firmin Bourgeois, begins in Tuileries gardens.
  • Early 1920s: Orangerie ceases use as greenhouse, slated for transformation into art gallery by French government.
  • 1922: Decision made to convert Orangerie into gallery for living artists; renovation initiated by architect Camille Lefevre.
  • 1927, May 17: Orangerie reopens as Musee Claude Monet, featuring Monet's Water Lilies; renamed Musee National de l’Orangerie des Tuileries.
  • Post-World War II: Museum undergoes renovation, focusing on French modern art from late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Architecture of the Orangerie Museum

Built by the famous architect Firmin Bourgeois, Orangerie Museum was built out of the glass on the south of the Seine in order to allow light to fall to the trees. The other side of the structure has no windows either to protect the citrus trees during winters.

Louis Visconti, who is known for his renovations of the Louvre, decorated the main entrance on the west and east side of the building. On keen observation, you can observe the columns at the door are triangular pediments that were sculpted by Charles Gallois Poignant. The top of the columns displays cornucopias, plants, and ears of corn that lay emphasis on the building’s agricultural function.

Know About the Entrances

Frequently asked questions about the Orangerie Museum

What is the Orangerie Museum famous for?

The Orangerie Museum is a famous art museum in Paris. It is well-known for its collection of late 19th and early 20th century paintings, a highlight being the monumental Water Lilies cycle by Claude Monet.

Who built the Orangerie Museum?

Architect Firmin Bourgeois built the Orangerie Museum. In 1852, Napoleon III built the Orangerie to store the citrus trees of the Tuileries Gardens from the cold.

When did the Orangerie Museum open?

The Orangerie Museum was established in the year 1852.

What are the Orangerie Museum opening hours?

The Orangerie Museum is open every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9am to 6pm. It is closed on Tuesdays, May 1, December 25, and the morning of July.

Where can I buy tickets for the Orangerie Museum?

You can purchase tickets for the ​Orangerie Museum online. You can select the one most suitable for your needs.