The two oval galleries housing the Water Lilies were designed according to Monet's exact specifications to provide optimal natural light.
The building was originally constructed to protect the orange trees of the Tuileries Palace during winter months.
During the First World War, Monet gifted his 'Water Lilies' series to the French state as a monument to peace.
The Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection includes works by Amedeo Modigliani and Chaïm Soutine, reflecting Paul Guillaume's specific taste for avant-garde art.
The basement level, excavated during the 2000-2006 renovation, now serves as the permanent exhibition space for the Walter-Guillaume collection.
The site served as a storage depot for the French army and a place for temporary exhibitions before being dedicated to the Water Lilies in the 1920s.
The Musée de l'Orangerie is a gallery located in the Jardin des Tuileries, primarily recognized for housing Claude Monet's eight large 'Water Lilies' (Nymphéas) murals. The museum occupies a former orangery built in 1852 by Firmin Bourgeois and later redesigned by Louis Visconti. It underwent a major architectural renovation between 2000 and 2006 to restore natural lighting to the oval rooms housing the Monet paintings. The permanent collection features Impressionist and post-Impressionist works, including pieces by Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, and Renoir. The Walter-Guillaume collection, acquired by the French state in 1959, forms the core of the museum's 20th-century holdings. The installation of the Water Lilies was designed according to Monet's specific vision for the space to create a meditative, immersive experience. The museum is operated as a public establishment under the French Ministry of Culture.
The center of the two oval rooms, allowing for a panoramic view of the Water Lilies.
Book a time-slotted ticket online in advance to bypass long entry queues.
Focus on the oval rooms first if you prefer to experience the Water Lilies without large crowds.
Visit the lower floor gallery for a more intimate viewing experience of smaller canvases.
Trying to visit without a pre-booked time slot, as tickets often sell out.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Photography is permitted without flash; maintain a low volume voice; large bags are prohibited.
