Four Impressionism exhibits to see in Paris this winter, Part 1: Monet at the Orangerie

By
Juliet
🗓️
November 13, 2026
Four Impressionism exhibits to see in Paris this winter, Part 1: Monet at the Orangerie

This winter, Paris is celebrating the Impressionists, artists who redefined painting and brought it into the modern age. If you’re in Paris between now and January 25, 2027, dive deeper into some of Monet’s best works at the Orangerie Museum, on display to celebrate the centenary of the pioneering artist's death.

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The Exhibition

Monet, Peindre le Temps translates to “Monet, painting time.” The exposition explores how Claude Monet, an early “impressionist” painter, captured the passage of time, like the seasons and different times throughout the day, on the same subjects over and over again. Works from the Orsay and Marmottan Museums in Paris, the Tate in London, and other smaller museums are on display, as well as paintings from private collections, rarely on display for the public.

 

Meule, effet de neige. A haystack with light reflecting off the snow. Painting from the Barberini Museum, Potsdam
Meule, effet de neige. A haystack with light reflecting off the snow. Painting from the Barberini Museum, Potsdam - Photo by Dayin

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The exposition is organized into several series of subjects that captured the artist’s attention, both natural and man-made, such as the Poplars (Peupliers), the Haystacks (Meules), the Cathedral of Rouen, and of course, Water Lilies (Nymphéas). Monet painted outside, en plein air, in order to accurately and quickly capture the fleeting colors that appear as the days and seasons progress over time. This was revolutionary for the late 19th century, during which paintings were produced in a studio and subjects were portrayed as lifelike as possible. Monet struggled at first to get recognition for his art and acceptance into the Paris salons, but by the end of his career he had changed painting forever.

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Tips for Visiting

Access to Monet, Peindre le Temps comes with the purchase of a regular ticket to the Orangerie Museum. Our recommendation is to start with the special exhibit downstairs. Read about Monet’s process, techniques, and evolution as an artist. Then, go upstairs to the Water Lilies, Monet’s masterpiece that he painted towards the end of his life, offered as a gift to the country of France. You'll see the progression of an incredible career, from being rejected by the Parisian art elite to becoming the new standard.

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La Gare Saint-Lazare. It was unusual to paint common places like train stations in Monet's time. Painting from the National Gallery, London
La Gare Saint-Lazare. It was unusual to paint common places like train stations in Monet's time. Painting from the National Gallery, London - Photo by Dayin

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Hours and Tickets

The Orangerie Museum is open from 9am to 6pm Wednesday-Thursday and Saturday-Monday, open from 9am to 9pm on Fridays, and closed on Tuesdays. A limited number of tickets are available throughout the day, so we advise you to reserve your time slot ahead at the museum’s website.

The price of an adult ticket is 12.50 €, and under-18 visitors and other qualifying persons can visit the museum for free! Note that the Friday night ticket (during "nocturne" hours from 6pm to 9pm) is 10 €.

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Want to learn more about Monet or the impressionists? Book a guided tour at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris with Dayin! Your licensed guide will show you the highlights of this museum, taking you on an artistic journey from the mid-19th century to just before WWI in a historic former train station. The Orsay guided visit is available as a small group tour with a maximum of 6 guests, as a private tour, or as a wheelchair-accessible private tour. You'll get so much out of this museum with the expert knowledge of a guide.

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What is the Monet exhibition in Paris in 2026?

Monet, Peindre le Temps is a special exhibition at the Orangerie Museum in Paris, celebrating the life and works of the artist 100 years after his death in 1926. Through grouping series of the same subject, the exhibition shows how Monet captured the way light changes over different times of the day and through the seasons. The exhibition will run until January 25, 2027.

How much are tickets to the Orangerie Museum?

A regular, full-price adult ticket costs 12.50 € and allows access to the Orangerie's permanent collection, Monet's Water Lilies, and special exhibitions. Certain discounted tickets are offered during the Friday late-night opening (10 €) and some visitors, such as those under 18 years old, enter for free.

Do I need to book tickets for the Orangerie Museum in advance?

Although not strictly necessary, booking tickets for the Orangerie is highly recommended, as the museum is small and only a limited number of tickets are available for each time slot. You can book a time on the Orangerie Museum's official website.

What are Monet's Water Lilies?

Monet painted his Water Lilies series over a period of about thirty years, from around 1897 until his death in 1926. The most famous of this series comprises of eight large-scale canvases housed in the Orangerie Museum in Paris, which Monet offered to France as a gift to the nation after the First World War.

How much time do you need at the Orangerie?

We recommend about 1.5-2 hours at the Orangerie Museum to see everything thoroughly. Make sure to leave about 30 minutes just for the Water Lilies so that you can truly experience the paintings up close, far away, and from different angles around the rooms.

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