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
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.
Your visit will begin with the iconic Claude Monet's Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. Housed in two specially designed, vast oval rooms, these monumental paintings completely encircle you. Experience the immersive effect as you're surrounded by Monet's masterful depictions of light and water, a tranquil, continuous panorama that evolves with the natural light filtering through the skylights.
Take a closer look at the Water Lilies PaintingsAfter 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.
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.
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.
The Orangerie Museum was established in the year 1852.
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.
You can purchase tickets for the Orangerie Museum online. You can select the one most suitable for your needs.