'Within the confines of Tuilleries Jardin in Paris is the Musée de l'Orangerie. The gallery sits on the Place de la Concorde and houses Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art...'
Musée de l'Orangerie is perhaps most famous for being the site of Impressionist artist, Claude Monet's, Nympheas, or Waterlilies.
Monet's Waterlillies
Due to extensive refurbishments at L'Orangerie, I'd managed to miss the museum on two previous visit to Paris. It actually reopened in 2006 but it took me more than a decade to go back. What can I say? I've had other places to explore...
L'Orangerie isn't the most impressive building in the world, which is a bit of a surprise given its city centre location. However, what it lacks on the outside, it more than makes up for on the inside.
Monet's Waterlilies The upper gallery of L'Orangerie is entirely dedicated to Monet's Waterlilies panels. I've been so used to seeing square shaped replicas, these were not at all in the dimensions I'd expected.
In actual fact, the original works are massive panels. This rather took me by surprise when I first spotted them. The pieces stretch out across the walls and are in dimensions that must have been a challenge to produce, never mind actually paint to the standard Monet did.
The gallery is light and airy and, as it was designed especially to house the Waterlilies collection, they fit the area perfectly.
Paul Guilliame Collection On the lower floor of the museum is an exhibition of works collected by Paul Guilliame and his wife, Dominica. All of the art on show is from their private collection and it was truly jaw-dropping.
The entire collection is incredible, but I couldn't help thinking the couple's home contents insurance premiums must've been astronomical. Imagine the panic of arriving at work in the morning and having that nagging doubt about whether you'd locked the front door to that house??
If you love Renoir, Cezanne, Picasso, Matisse, Rodin, and Derain, you'll be in heaven. There's also a single work by Monet, which perfectly complements the Waterlilies on the floor above.
Bright and beautifulL'Orangerie is a bright and beautiful space. The vibrant colours and artistic talent on show means it's impossible not to dart around in a somewhat manic fashion. That's what I did, anyway. Do pick your jaw up off the floor, though. No one wants you slobbering on their priceless artworks.
The museum is open all year round and an adult ticket will set you back a very reasonable EU9.
What's your favourite piece in Musée de l'Orangerie?
