The former orange shelter located in the Tuilleries Gardens is an Impressionist treasure. If hearing names like Monet, Renoir, or Picasso conjure interest, then this is a great museum for you. The collection cannot compare in size to the collection at the Musee D’Orsay, but the works are well worth the visit.
The feature exhibit is Monet’s Water Lilies. As you walk in, light grazes over the blurred scenery. A calming sound plays as you walk through the appearance of the lilies throughout the day. It is easy to imagine a blinding Monet working on this canvas, but as the light changes in the day, moving on to that canvas.
Beyond the lilies, you can also see other Impressionist works. While in the museum on my last visit, there was a special exhibition on Gino Severini. I was first introduced to Severini at the Peggy Guggenheim museum in Venice. Since then, I have been a big fan. Unfortunately, we could not take pictures in that exhibit, so I have no images to share.
If you want to enhance this experience even more, take a day trip out to Giverny to see where Monet worked and found inspiration.
Liberated Traveler 
…and if you purchase a dual ticket for l’Orangerie and Musee D’Orsay here you save yourself the very long queues at Musee D’Orsay. A lovely post. Thanks for sharing.
Jude xx
The lines at Musee D’Orsay are ridiculous. Thanks for the tip!
Have you taken the train out to Auvers-sur-Oise? That also looks like an interesting trip following in the footsteps of Impressionist painters such as Van Gogh, Pissarro and Cézanne?
Jude xx
I haven’t been there, but I’ve been thinking about it. I’m not sure how easy it is to get there…
There appears to be a direct train. I think when I was there it only ran at the weekend, so we couldn’t do it.
http://www.new-paris-ile-de-france.co.uk/events-paris/trade-fairs-and-markets/direct-train-to-auvers-sur-oise-311112.html
Thank you for the resource. I think that may be a nice little escape from the city. Hopefully if I go on a Sunday it won’t be too busy.
Thanks for the inspiration! I loved Auvers-Sur-Oise. What a beautiful and powerful village.