Monet's Water Lilies at the Orangerie
1922-1927: how they got there
After the war, Georges Clemenceau suggested to his friend Monet to offer France the large Water Lilies decorations he was working on in Giverny. The donation was finalized in 1922. Architect Camille Lefèvre transformed the former orangery of the Tuileries garden to house the panels in two oval rooms. Monet died in December 1926 and did not see the installation. The inauguration took place on May 17, 1927. The building itself has a longer history, told on the history of the Orangerie.
The light
Monet wanted his panels to be seen in daylight, without a display case, in rooms where the gaze would have nowhere to rest. The oval rooms are east-west oriented, along the historical axis of Paris, and lit from the ceiling. The 2000-2006 renovation restored this natural light that previous works had obscured. In practical terms, this means the panels are not the same at 9 a.m. under a gray sky and at 4 p.m. in June. I have seen them hundreds of times and they are never quite the same.
How to look at them
Each room has a central bench. Sit down, then slowly turn around. The panels are meant to be seen from there, at water level, with the periphery of your vision capturing the neighboring panels. Then, stand up and approach within a meter: the painting dissolves into streaks of violet and green that resemble nothing. Step back, the pond reappears. This distance that makes and unmake the image is the whole subject.
What I ask of you: don't take the photo when you enter. Look first for ten minutes, then take the photo. Flash is prohibited, which is in any case the only decent way to photograph a 12-meter panel.
At what time
At 9 am, at opening, the first room is almost empty and the bench is free. On Friday evening, during exhibitions, the ceiling light fades as you look, which is a different experience. At 2 pm on a Saturday, you will see backs and screens. The timed ticket is to choose this time, nothing else ; see is booking required and the best time.
What works
- The natural light from the ceiling, as desired by Monet
- Two central benches, if you arrive before the groups
- No need for explanation : the panels speak for themselves
- A vestibule between the two rooms to rest your eyes
To know
- On Saturday afternoon, you can't see the bottom of the panels
- Some rooms require silence, children should know this
- No re-entry : if you go down to the basement, come back up before leaving
- Flash photography is not allowed
After the second room, go down to level -2 to see the only Monet in the Walter-Guillaume collection, a small painting from Argenteuil. The contrast with the 91 meters above says it all about the distance he covered. The complete tour is on what to see at the Orangerie.
Book the first time slot
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Water Lilies panels are there at the Orangerie ?
Eight, spread across two oval rooms, 2 meters high and 91 meters long in total. The rest of the museum is described on what to see at the Orangerie.
Are the Water Lilies at Orsay or at the Orangerie ?
The large panels in the oval rooms are at the Orangerie. Orsay holds other Monets. Both museums are a 15-minute walk apart. See Orsay or Orangerie.
Do you need a guide for the Water Lilies ?
No. The panels speak for themselves. The guide is for the -2 level, for the Walter-Guillaume collection. See the guided tour.
Can you photograph the Water Lilies ?
Yes, without flash. At 9 a.m. you will have the room almost empty to do so. Choose this time slot on the tickets page.