The Musée de l'Orangerie is small, calm and built around one extraordinary thing: Monet's Water Lilies, displayed in two oval rooms exactly as the artist intended. It sits at the edge of the Tuileries Garden, a short walk from the Louvre, and a visit can be wonderfully short. For many travellers it is the most moving hour they spend in any Paris museum.
The Water Lilies rooms
The two oval rooms wrap you in eight large panels of water, sky and willow reflections. Monet designed them as a place of rest, and they work best when quiet. Sit on the central bench, let your eyes adjust to the soft light and give it ten unhurried minutes before moving down to the lower level, which holds works by Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse and Picasso.
Best time and how long to plan
Go at opening for the quietest Water Lilies, or in the last hour of the day. One hour is plenty for the whole museum, which makes it easy to pair with a stroll through the Tuileries or a visit to the nearby Orsay across the river. A timed ticket avoids the short but slow line at busy times.
Frequently asked questions
Plan your visit: Musee de l'Orangerie
Best tours and tickets in Orangerie Museum Visit Guide: Monet's Water Lilies
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