Musée de l'orangerie
Localisation
Jardin des Tuileries
Place de la Concorde
75001 Paris
PHONE NUMBER
01 44 77 80 07
01 44 50 43 00
RATES
Full rate: €9
Concessions: €6,50
OPENING DAYS AND HOURS
Open from 9am to 6pm
Last admission: 5.15pm
Closed on Tuesdays
HISTORY :
The building has not always showcased works of art. Indeed, it was built in 1852 as a winter shelter for the orange trees that lined the garden of the Tuileries Palace.
At the request of Emperor Napoleon III, the new structure was built by the architect Firmin Bourgeois (1786-1853). The structure closely resembles a greenhouse.
Following the fall of the Empire in 1870 and the fire at the Tuileries Palace in 1871, the Orangerie became the property of the State. It continued to be used to store the orange trees and as the setting for various events: horticultural, musical and artistic shows, banquets, contests, dog shows until 1922.
The Musée National de l’Orangerie des Tuileries was attached to the Louvre in 1930. The western half of the building, next to the Place de la Concorde, was thus transformed into a series of four rooms intended for the temporary exhibitions of the national museums. A series of magnificent exhibitions were held every year: a cycle on the Impressionists from 1930 to 1933.
The last transformation of the Orangerie took place between 2000 and 2006. During this time, temporary exhibition spaces, an auditorium, an education space and a library were also created.
The museum reopened on 17 May 2006 and once again adopted an ambitious exhibition policy. It has been attached to the Musée d'Orsay since May 2010.
Collection of the Museum :
In the Musée de l’Orangerie, there is permanent collection but also temporary exhibitions.
The permanent collection is made by the very famous and impressive Water Lilies cycle, painted by Claude Monet between 1914 and 1926 in Giverny. The rooms where these paints are disposed are very impressive. This series of paintings is an integral part of the French artistic and cultural heritage.
The Museum proposes also various exhibition made with painting of different painters from all over the world.
Moreover, between 14 November 2018 and 11 March 2019, there is a collection focusing on Monet and Clemenceau, two very famous friends.
From now to January 2019, you can admire the work and paintings of Paula Rego, a Portuguese painter. But if you prefer contemporary art, you can also move into the museum rooms to admire the works of Richard Jackson.