Which Orangerie Tickets Should You Book?
The Musée de l'Orangerie is small compared to its Left Bank neighbors, but Monet's Water Lilies rooms alone make it worth the stop. Two ticket options cover most visitors: a straightforward reserved entrance, and a combo that adds a Seine river cruise. Here's how the two compare, plus what to expect once you're inside.
About This Experience
Jardin des Tuileries, Cote Seine side, 75001 Paris, in the 1st arrondissement.
Wednesday to Monday, 9:00 to 18:00. Closed Tuesdays.
12.50 euros, free on the first Sunday of the month.
An hour to ninety minutes covers the collection comfortably, since the museum is small.
Concorde station, served by lines 1, 8 and 12.
A timed entry slot is required, so book ahead of your visit date.
Check Live Availability & Prices
See current time slots and pricing before you commit to a date.
Which Musée de l'Orangerie Ticket to Pick
The reserved entrance ticket ($15, 4.7 from over 7,000 reviews) is the obvious choice for most visitors. The museum is compact enough that a guide adds little, and the ticket alone gets you a timed slot straight into the Water Lilies rooms.
The entry plus Seine cruise combo ($47, 4.1 from 161 reviews) is worth considering if you want to turn a short museum stop into more of a half day out. It pairs Monet's panels with time on the river, though the museum ticket alone remains the better value if a boat ride isn't part of your plan.
For a look at how the Orangerie fits alongside the rest of the city's collections, see the essential Paris museums.
Orangerie Tickets to Book
Both options below include a reserved slot into the museum.
from $15 Musée de l'Orangerie Reserved Entrance
- Reserved timed entry
- Monet Water Lilies
- Cezanne, Renoir and Modigliani downstairs
from $47 Musée de l'Orangerie Entry + Seine Cruise
- Monet's Water Lilies rooms
- One-hour Seine cruise
- Tuileries garden setting
What You'll See
The Orangerie is built around one thing above all: the two oval rooms Monet designed to hold his Water Lilies. Everything else in the museum sits downstairs, in a compact collection that rewards a slower look.
- Monet's eight monumental Water Lilies panels in two oval rooms
- The rooms designed by Monet himself for these exact paintings
- The Walter-Guillaume collection downstairs
- Cezanne still lifes and landscapes
- Renoir portraits and nudes
- Matisse, Modigliani and Soutine
- Picasso's early modern works
- The Tuileries garden setting outside
How a Visit Flows
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Before you go
Reserve your slot
Book a timed entry ticket in advance since the museum limits how many visitors enter at once.
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On arrival
Head straight upstairs
Go to the two oval rooms first, before later arrivals fill them, and sit for a few minutes with the Water Lilies panels.
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Mid-visit
Take in both oval rooms
Walk the full loop of both rooms. The panels change with the light, so a slow pass rewards a second look.
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Downstairs
See the Walter-Guillaume collection
Head down to the lower level for Cezanne, Renoir, Matisse and Picasso from the same private collection.
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After the museum
Walk the Tuileries
Step outside into the Tuileries garden, right beside the museum, to finish the visit outdoors.
Know Before You Go
Not suitable for
- Visitors with only a few minutes to spare, since the oval rooms reward unhurried time
- Anyone hoping for a large, wide-ranging collection like the Louvre
- Travelers who skip advance reservations and expect to walk in on a busy day
What to bring
- A booking confirmation or ticket on your phone
- A valid photo ID
- Comfortable shoes for the walk through the Tuileries afterward
- A light layer, since the galleries are climate-controlled and cool
Not allowed
- Flash photography in the Water Lilies rooms
- Large bags or backpacks inside the galleries
- Food or drink anywhere inside the museum
Insider Tips
A few small choices make the visit smoother.
- Arrive right at opening on a Wednesday if you want the oval rooms closest to empty.
- The Orangerie closes Tuesdays, the day the Orsay is open, so the two museums pair well over consecutive days.
- Concorde is the nearest metro stop, served by lines 1, 8 and 12.
- First Sunday of the month means free admission, so expect longer waits if you go then.
- The Tuileries garden right outside makes a natural next stop or a spot for a break beforehand.
- Ninety minutes is enough for most visitors, which pairs well with a same-day visit to the Louvre or Orsay.
Where You're Headed
Musée de l'Orangerie Tickets FAQ
How much are Musée de l'Orangerie tickets?
The reserved entrance ticket costs $15 online, and general admission is 12.50 euros. Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month.
Do I need a reservation for the Orangerie?
Yes, a timed entry slot is required for a smooth visit, and booking ahead avoids showing up on a day when slots are full.
How long should I spend at the Musée de l'Orangerie?
An hour to ninety minutes is enough to see both oval Water Lilies rooms and the Walter-Guillaume collection downstairs.
What is the closest metro station to the Orangerie?
Concorde station, on lines 1, 8 and 12, sits a short walk from the museum entrance in the Tuileries.
Is the Orangerie open on Mondays?
Yes, the museum is open Wednesday through Monday and closes only on Tuesdays.
Should I add the Seine cruise to my Orangerie ticket?
Only if you want to turn a short museum visit into a longer afternoon by the river, since the museum ticket alone already covers the collection.
What Visitors Say
The two oval rooms stopped me in my tracks. I sat on the bench for twenty minutes and just looked.
Small museum, but the Water Lilies rooms alone are worth the trip. We paired it with the Tuileries afterward.
Good value ticket and no long line since we booked ahead. The downstairs collection was a nice surprise too.