VIBE

The Tuileries, an elegant stretch of formal gardens commissioned by Catherine de Medici in the 1560s and first opened to the public in the 1660s, offers a lovely spot for a scenic stroll or alfresco café au lait between the Champs-Élysées and the Louvre. On the south (Seine) side of the park is the Musée de l’Orangerie, a 19th century orangerie that was converted into a museum of impressionist art in the 1920s. The Orangerie’s highlight is Monet’s Nympheas, a series of enormous water lily paintings that the artist created specifically for this space–although masterpieces by Picasso, Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse certainly give them a run for their money.

GO HERE WITH

Art lovers; friends; family; a date

WHY WE LIKE IT

The Musée de l’Orangerie is a great alternative or complement to the Musée d’Orsay because it’s more compact, impeccably edited, and less crowded, so you can really take your time with the artwork. We particularly dig Monet’s Nympheas–it’s a really interesting, personal way to connect with his work. We like pairing an alfresco café break in the Jardin with a leisurely stroll through the museum.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The huge crowds on the free entry days at the Musée de l’Orangerie.

GOOD TO KNOW

There are four cafés (all complete with great outdoor seating) in the Jardin des Tuileries. The Musée de l’Orangerie is free on the first Sunday of the month. If you’re really into Impressionist art, check out the joint Musée d’Orsay-Musée de l’Orangerie ticket for EUR 13. Audio guides for the museum are available for EUR 5 in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese, and for the visually impaired.

CLOSEST COMPS

Musée d’Orsay (Paris); Musée Rodin (Paris)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to Paris