Orangerie Ticket: The Great Water Lilies After Marmottan
Two Water Lilies, two museums, two different experiences
This is the confusion I clarify most often. The Water Lilies at the Marmottan are easel paintings and large late works, created between 1897 and 1919, displayed in the underground gallery opened in 1970. Those at the Orangerie are the eight monumental panels Monet designed for two oval rooms in the former Tuileries Garden greenhouse, at Place de la Concorde. One set is paintings; the other is an immersive installation. Seeing the first in the morning and the second in the afternoon lets you witness the process and its culmination. I discuss this in detail on the Water Lilies at the Marmottan and on Marmottan or Orangerie.
What the ticket includes
A time slot, the 'ticket holders' entrance, the permanent collection—that is, the Water Lilies and the Walter-Guillaume collection in the basement—and the current temporary exhibitions. The audio guide is not included. One ticket per person, with an ID required. Visitors under 18, and EU residents aged 18-25, enter for free with ID but must still book a time slot. The museum is free on the first Sunday of the month, and it gets crowded then. The museum is wheelchair accessible.
The rule that matters: the ticket is non-refundable. Before choosing the date, make sure it’s not a Tuesday. The 'Risk of being fully booked' badge isn’t just for show in spring.
Marmottan in the morning, Orangerie in the afternoon
Here’s how I plan the day. The Marmottan opens at 10 a.m. You enter without a reservation, buy your ticket at the desk, and spend about 1 hour 30 minutes there, including the Monet room. Around noon, lunch near Place de La Muette or a sandwich on a bench in the Ranelagh. Then take line 9 from La Muette to Franklin D. Roosevelt, switch to line 1 to Concorde: 25 to 30 minutes, or bus 63 for those who prefer sightseeing. Book your Orangerie time slot for early afternoon, with some buffer time, so you’ll be in front of the panels before the skylight dims.
The schedule has a catch. The Marmottan is closed on Mondays, and the Orangerie is closed on Tuesdays. So this day only works from Wednesday to Sunday, and I recommend Wednesday or Thursday, outside school holidays.
What the 7,195 reviews say
Felicia, from the United States, was 'in the first group to enter,' which is the best way to see the oval rooms. Tülay, from Germany, describes a museum that’s 'central and not crowded,' with 'a pleasantly calm atmosphere.' Gabriela, from Mexico, finds it 'simply beautiful, perfect if you love Monet.' Lubomír, from Slovakia, mentions 'the Monets, the Picassos' in the basement. Madeleine, from Australia, found the audio guide 'really informative,' so you should pick it up on-site—it’s not included in this ticket. Judith, from Brazil, says she’ll 'come back as soon as she can.' The negative feedback I’ve seen is about midday crowds, not the museum itself.
What works
- The eight panels in the rooms designed for them
- Guaranteed time slot, 'ticket holders' entrance
- Temporary exhibitions included
- Wheelchair accessible
Good to know
- Non-refundable: check for Tuesdays before booking
- Audio guide not included
- One per person and ID required
- Free on the first Sunday of the month and during spring weekends
If you want both oval rooms nearly empty, take the first time slot of the day at the Orangerie and visit the Marmottan in the afternoon: it’s quiet on weekdays after 3 PM, and on Thursdays it stays open until 9 PM. The best time page details the off-peak hours for both.
Book the Orangerie ticket
For the full route between the two museums, station by station, see getting there by metro.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit the Marmottan and the Orangerie on the same day?
Yes, from Wednesday to Sunday. Marmottan at opening time, 1 hour 30 minutes on site, line 9 then line 1 to Concorde, Orangerie time slot in the early afternoon. The comparison of the two museums is on Marmottan or Orangerie.
Is the Orangerie ticket refundable?
No. This is the difference with Giverny excursions, which can be cancelled up to 24 hours before. Check the day—the Orangerie is closed on Tuesdays. For the Marmottan, no need to book; see do I need to reserve.
Are the Water Lilies at the Orangerie the same as those at the Marmottan?
No. The Orangerie displays the eight monumental panels in two oval rooms. The Marmottan shows easel paintings and large late formats, plus the Japanese Bridge. Details on the Water Lilies at the Marmottan.
Does the Paris Museum Pass work at the Orangerie?
At the Orangerie, a national museum, yes. At the Marmottan, a private museum, no. This is one of the reasons I explain what the pass covers on the Museum Pass page.