Musée de l'Orangerie
Quick answer
Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, France — the Orangerie was built in 1852 to shelter the Tuileries Garden's orange trees. Open Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Tuesdays. Admission: €12.50 standard admission. Allow 1–1.5 hours and book a timed ticket ahead.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Musée de l'Orangerie at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Admission | €12.50 standard admission |
| Booking | Book a timed ticket in advance — peak slots sell out |
| Time needed | 1–1.5 hours |
| Best time to visit | First entry at 9 AM on a weekday — the oval rooms are transformative in morning light with few visitors. |
| Getting there | Metro: Concorde (Lines 1, 8, 12) — 5-minute walk through the Tuileries Garden |
| Address | Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France |
| Official website | musee-orangerie.fr |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Musée de l'Orangerie known for?
The Musée de l'Orangerie sits in the Tuileries Garden at the Place de la Concorde end, housed in an orangery built in 1852 for Napoleon III's orange trees. In 1927, Claude Monet's monumental Water Lilies cycle was installed in two oval rooms designed to the artist's specifications.
Monet donated the eight large canvases — the Nymphéas — as a 'monument to peace' after the First World War. He worked on them in his Giverny garden until his death in 1926, intending them as a total environment wrapping the viewer in light and colour.
Below the Water Lilies rooms, the Walter-Guillaume collection holds outstanding works by Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani, and Soutine — the collection of art dealer Paul Guillaume and his widow Domenica Walter.
The museum is compact and focused, making it one of the most rewarding short visits in Paris. Combined with a walk through the Tuileries, it forms a perfect afternoon.
Best for: Impressionist Art Fans · Art Lovers · Short Paris Visits
How long do you need at Musée de l'Orangerie?
Allow 1–1.5 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Musée de l'Orangerie without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Water Lilies (Nymphéas)
📍 Two Oval Rooms, Ground Floor
Eight vast canvases of Monet's Giverny water garden filling two elliptical rooms, designed as a continuous panorama of light, water, and vegetation.
- 2
The Red Studio
📍 Walter-Guillaume Collection, Lower Level
Matisse's landmark painting of his studio filled with red walls and floating artworks, a foundational work of modernism.
- 3
Portrait of Madame Cézanne
📍 Walter-Guillaume Collection
A characteristic Cézanne portrait of his wife Hortense, showing the artist's structured approach to form and colour.
- 4
Young Italian Woman
📍 Walter-Guillaume Collection
A Modigliani portrait with the elongated neck and almond eyes that define his style, from the Guillaume collection.
What are the must-see works at Musée de l'Orangerie?
4 highlights that define the collection: Water Lilies (Nymphéas), The Red Studio, Portrait of Madame Cézanne and more.
Water Lilies (Nymphéas)
Claude Monet · 1914–1926
📍 Two Oval Rooms, Ground Floor
Eight vast canvases of Monet's Giverny water garden filling two elliptical rooms, designed as a continuous panorama of light, water, and vegetation.
The Red Studio
Henri Matisse · 1911
📍 Walter-Guillaume Collection, Lower Level
Matisse's landmark painting of his studio filled with red walls and floating artworks, a foundational work of modernism.
Portrait of Madame Cézanne
Paul Cézanne · c. 1885
📍 Walter-Guillaume Collection
A characteristic Cézanne portrait of his wife Hortense, showing the artist's structured approach to form and colour.
Young Italian Woman
Amedeo Modigliani · 1918
📍 Walter-Guillaume Collection
A Modigliani portrait with the elongated neck and almond eyes that define his style, from the Guillaume collection.
Collections and highlights
- • Monet Water Lilies — eight Nymphéas panels
- • Walter-Guillaume collection — Cézanne, Renoir
- • Picasso and Matisse early modernism
- • Modigliani portraits
- • Soutine and Derain landscapes
- • Rousseau and Utrillo
- • Tuileries Garden setting
- • Temporary exhibitions in lower galleries
Famous works with their own guide
Tips for visiting Musée de l'Orangerie
- 1.
Best time to visit
First entry at 9 AM on a weekday — the oval rooms are transformative in morning light with few visitors.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Popular year-round; Monet rooms can feel crowded midday.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €12.50 standard admission; book timed entry online.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Tuileries Garden kiosks; Angelina on Rue de Rivoli for hot chocolate.
- 5.
Accessibility
Ground-floor oval rooms accessible; lower level reached by stairs or lift.
How do you get to Musée de l'Orangerie?
- metro Concorde (Lines 1, 8, 12) — 5-minute walk through the Tuileries Garden
- walk West end of the Tuileries Garden, near Place de la Concorde
- bus Multiple buses along Rue de Rivoli and Place de la Concorde
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France
Musée de l'Orangerie: frequently asked questions
How long are the Water Lilies rooms?
Each oval room is ninety-one metres of curved canvas — plan at least thirty minutes to take it in.
Is there a combined ticket with the Orsay?
Yes, a discounted joint ticket valid for several days is offered.
How long should I spend at Musée de l'Orangerie?
Plan 1–1.5 hours for the highlights of Musée de l'Orangerie. Our 4-stop route — Water Lilies (Nymphéas), The Red Studio, Portrait of Madame Cézanne and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Musée de l'Orangerie best known for?
The Orangerie was built in 1852 to shelter the Tuileries Garden's orange trees. In 1927 Claude Monet's Nymphéas — eight vast canvases of water lilies — were installed in two specially designed oval rooms, an environment Monet called 'the illusion of an endless whole'. Key highlights include Water Lilies (Nymphéas) by Monet, The Card Players by Cézanne, The Young Apprentice by Modigliani.
How do I get tickets for Musée de l'Orangerie?
Admission: €12.50 standard admission. Book a timed-entry ticket on the official website before you go — popular slots sell out in peak season. Official site: https://www.musee-orangerie.fr/en
How long should I spend in the Water Lilies rooms?
Monet intended them as a meditative environment — allow at least 20 minutes seated in the oval rooms. Most visitors spend an hour total.
Is the Walter-Guillaume collection included?
Yes — one ticket covers both the Monet Water Lilies and the Walter-Guillaume collection of early modern masters on the lower level.
How does this compare to Musée Marmottan Monet?
Orangerie has the monumental late Water Lilies environment. Marmottan has Impression, Sunrise and the largest Monet collection overall.
Is Musée de l'Orangerie open on Tuesdays?
No — Musée de l'Orangerie is closed every Tuesday. It is open Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Musée de l'Orangerie's opening hours?
Musée de l'Orangerie is open Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Tuesdays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Musée de l'Orangerie free to visit?
No — standard admission is €12.50 standard admission.
