Musée de l'Orangerie

The Musée de l'Orangerie is a national art museum in the Tuileries Garden in Paris that shows impressionist and post-impressionist works across two floors. The galleries receive light through large windows in the ceiling, allowing paintings to be seen under natural daylight.

The building was constructed in 1852 as a greenhouse for orange trees from the Tuileries and later served as storage space and an exhibition hall. Monet convinced the French government to display his large water lily paintings there permanently, leading to the opening of the museum in 1927.

The name Orangerie comes from the original use of the building as a winter shelter for delicate citrus trees from the royal gardens. Visitors today find a meditative setting in the two oval rooms where they are surrounded by water lilies and can sit on benches placed throughout the space.

The museum sits close to Place de la Concorde and opens daily except Tuesday from 9 AM to 6 PM. The first Sunday of each month offers free entry for all visitors.

The eight water lily panels form a continuous horizon with no beginning or end and surround the viewer completely. Monet worked on this series for almost three decades and donated it to the French state on the day after the armistice of the First World War.

Location: 1st arrondissement of Paris

Inception: 1852

Official opening: 1927

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Address: Quai des Tuileries

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-18:00; Tuesday off

Phone: +33140206771

Website: https://musee-orangerie.fr

GPS coordinates: 48.86384,2.32254

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:57