Musée de l'Orangerie: Small Group Guided Tour in English

KTLY030304

Musée de l'Orangerie: Small Group Guided Tour in English, photo 3

Musée de l'Orangerie: Small Group Guided Tour in English, photo 4

Paris, France

Non-refundable

This ticket cannot be cancelled and is non-refundable

About this tour

This small group tour takes you inside the Musée de l'Orangerie, the Paris gallery best known for Monet's giant Water Lilies panels. You'll skip the ticket line and spend a couple of hours with an English-speaking guide who walks you through the highlights, from the two oval rooms built for Monet to the Walter-Guillaume collection downstairs with works by Cézanne, Renoir, Matisse, Picasso and Rousseau. Entry and all fees are covered, and the group stays small so it never feels rushed.

Guide Languages

English

Highlights

Stand inside two oval rooms built to Monet's own specifications, home to eight Water Lilies panels lit by natural daylight
See works by Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Renoir, Rousseau and more across the museum
Take in the latest temporary show of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and modern art
Housed in a former winter greenhouse for the Tuileries' orange trees, which is how the museum got its name
A compact museum you can see in full without the fatigue of a day at the Louvre

Places You Will Visit

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Musée de l'Orangerie Paris, France 9 tours & tickets

Included / Excluded

Skip-the-line entry to the Musée de l'Orangerie
English-speaking professional guide
Small group guided tour
All entrance fees

Visiting the Musée de l'Orangerie: What to See and How It Works

The museum sits at the western edge of the Jardin des Tuileries, by the Place de la Concorde. It's an easy walk through the garden from the Concorde metro (Lines 1, 8 and 12) or Tuileries (Line 1), and buses 24, 42, 52, 72, 73, 84 and 94 all stop nearby. The building was once a winter shelter for the Tuileries' orange trees, which is where its name comes from.

Monet's Water Lilies are the centerpiece. His eight large panels wrap around the walls of two oval rooms on the ground floor, lit from above so the paintings surround you instead of hanging in front of you. Below sits the Walter-Guillaume collection, a dense set of works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Modigliani, Picasso, Rousseau and Soutine. Standard opening hours run 09:00 to 18:00 with last entry about an hour before closing, and the museum is closed on Tuesdays and on 1 May, 25 December and 1 January. Hours can shift around public holidays, so it's worth checking current days before you go. There's no dress code, but wear comfortable shoes since you'll be on your feet, and expect the two oval rooms to feel busier in the early afternoon than first thing in the morning.

Weather in Paris

Today 57°F14°C 51°F10°C Rain 88%

Today 57°F14°C 48°F9°C Rain 100%

Tomorrow 62°F17°C 51°F11°C Rain 95%

Mon, Oct 26 59°F15°C 49°F10°C Rain 45%

Tue, Oct 27 65°F19°C 51°F11°C Rain 34%

Wed, Oct 28 60°F16°C 46°F8°C Rain 21%

Thu, Oct 29 61°F16°C 43°F6°C Rain 3%

Local time 2:48 AM, UTC+02:00

Available Days / Times

Monday : All day
Tuesday
Wednesday : All day
Thursday : All day
Friday : All day
Saturday : All day
Sunday

Last updated: Oct 22, 2026

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FAQs

What are the main attractions at the Musée de l'Orangerie?

The two oval rooms holding Monet's eight Water Lilies panels are the main draw, along with the Walter-Guillaume collection downstairs with works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse and Picasso.

Do I need to book this tour in advance?

Yes, booking ahead is recommended, especially in high season and on weekends when the oval rooms get busy. Your tour includes skip-the-line entry so you won't wait at the ticket desk.

How long does the tour take?

Plan for around one and a half to two hours, which is enough time for both the Water Lilies and the collection downstairs.

Is the museum accessible for visitors with reduced mobility?

The museum is generally accessible, with elevators between levels. It's worth checking current accessibility details before your visit if you have specific needs.

Can I take photos inside?

Photography for personal use is generally allowed without flash. Follow any posted signs, since some temporary exhibitions have their own rules.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is guided in English by a professional guide.

How do I get to the Musée de l'Orangerie?

It's at the western end of the Tuileries Garden near Place de la Concorde. The closest metro is Concorde (Lines 1, 8, 12), and several bus lines stop nearby.

Why is it called the Orangerie?

The building was originally a winter greenhouse built to shelter the orange trees from the Tuileries garden, and the name stuck even after it became an art museum.

Where exactly is the museum located?

It sits at the western edge of the Jardin des Tuileries, near the Place de la Concorde end of the garden and across the river from the Musée d'Orsay.

How did Monet's Water Lilies end up here?

After the First World War, Monet donated the series of large Water Lilies panels to the French state, and two oval rooms were built specifically to display them the way he wanted them seen.