easy
2 hours
No special fitness required; suitable for all ages and mobility levels
Escape the long lines and immerse yourself in Monet’s iconic Water Lilies and a stunning collection of Impressionist and Modernist works on this private Orangerie Museum tour in Paris. Discover why this unique museum stop is essential for art lovers.
2 hrs • within Paris • Small Group Tour
Experience the breathtaking Orangerie Museum in Paris, home to Claude Monet's iconic Water Lilies Cycle. Enjoy a private guided tour with skip-the-line access, exploring this monumental masterpiece and the exquisite Walter & Guillaume collection, featuring over 140 modern and impressionist works. Immerse yourself in art like never before.
About 2 hours
Please bring a photo ID. Guests of all ages are accepted in the tour, but at least one adult of age 18+ is required per reservation.
The Orangerie Museum Located in the Tuileries, one of the most beautiful gardens, the Orangerie Museum presents a unique set and a beautiful impressionist collection. Meet your guide at the entrance, to enjoy priority access to gain fast-track entry to the Orangerie.
Claude Monet's Water Lilies, a unique atmosphere Offered to the French state by Claude Monet in 1918 as a symbol of peace, the water lilies were installed at the Orangerie Museum in 1927, a few months after his death. This unique ensemble, a true "Sistine of Impressionism", in the words of André Masson, crowns the cycle of water lilies begun almost thirty years ago. This set is one of the greatest monumental achievements of painting of the early twentieth century. The dimensions and area covered by the painting surround and encompass the viewer over nearly a hundred linear meters that unfurl a landscape dotted with water lilies, reflections of water, willow, trees and clouds, thus giving "the illusion of 'an endless whole, a wave without horizon and without shore', according to Monet's terms. This unique masterpiece has no equivalent in the world.
According to Claude Monet's wishes, the eight compositions were exhibited in two consecutive oval rooms. These rooms benefit from natural light from the roof. The two ovals evoke the symbol of infinity, while the paintings represent the cycle of light throughout the day.
The Walter & Guillaume Collection The Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection is one of the finest collections of European paintings. It includes 146 works, from the 1860s to the 1930s. Paul Guillaume was a passionate young art dealer, creating an extraordinary collection of several hundred paintings, ranging from Impressionism to Modern Art, to found a museum. His widow Domenica, remarried with the architect Jean Walter, transformed and reduced the collection while making new acquisitions. She wanted to name the collection after her two husbands when the French State acquired it at the end of the 1950s. This collection is today exposed to the Orangerie Museum. It currently includes 25 works by Renoir, 15 by Cézanne, 1 by Gauguin, Monet and Sisley, all from the Impressionist period. From the twentieth century, the museum presents 12 works by Picasso, 10 by Matisse, 5 by Modigliani, 5 by Marie Laurencin, 9 by Douanier Rousseau, 29 by Derain, 10 by Utrillo, 22 by Soutine and 1 by Van Dongen.
Secure your tickets in advance to avoid long waits and enjoy more time exploring the galleries.
Starting early helps you beat the crowds and enjoy a quieter, more intimate experience.
The museum’s exhibits span multiple rooms; comfortable footwear ensures a pleasant visit.
The Orangerie can be cool inside, especially in cooler months, so layer accordingly.
Originally built to house orange trees during winter, the building transitioned to an art museum in 1927 and became a key part of Paris’s artistic heritage.
The museum prioritizes preserving artworks with strict climate control and supports sustainable tourism by limiting visitor numbers through timed ticketing.
Essential for navigating the museum's spacious galleries with ease.
Keeps you comfortable in cooler gallery temperatures.
fall specific
Staying hydrated is helpful especially in warm seasons while walking between sites.
summer specific
Convenient for carrying personal items and guide materials.