Beneath the Parisian sun Avenue des Orangers whispers tales of emperors and Impressionists. This isn’t just any avenue. It’s a fragrant pathway leading to the Orangerie a building of remarkable elegance and sobriety.
Imagine the Belle Époque. Avenue des Orangers was a fashionable promenade. Grand chestnut trees lined the way creating an open-air gallery for Parisian women to display their latest fashions. Young couples met beneath the fragrant foliage. They smiled at loves rekindled in spring after a long winter. Edmond Texier captured this scene in his 1852-1853 painting Tableau de Paris.
The Orangerie itself has a rich history. Built starting in 1853 its purpose was to house the orange trees from the Tuileries Garden. These trees previously spent winters in a Louvre gallery. Architect Firmin Bourgeois designed the Orangerie. Ludovico Visconti finished the construction.
The Orangerie’s classical lines complement the grand hotels of Place de la Concorde. It’s a testament to the architectural harmony of Paris.
After the fall of the Second Empire and the fire at the Tuileries Palace the Orangerie became something more. It hosted horticultural and industrial displays. It sheltered soldiers during World War I. It even served as an armory.
In 1921 it was given to the Beaux-Arts administration. Georges Clemenceau suggested a new use. Claude Monet’s Water Lilies would find a home there. On May 17 1927 the Musée de l’Orangerie opened.
Today the delicate orange trees blossoming in the garden are a reminder of those that graced the avenue for centuries. Those trees now spend winters in the Orangerie de Meudon.
The majestic entrance features frontons sculpted by Gallois-Poignant. These depict agricultural scenes lions cornucopias and sheaves of wheat. It’s a stunning example of Second Empire artistry.
The Musée de l’Orangerie itself is a must-see. The museum’s collection includes Monet’s Water Lilies and a superb collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings.
So take a moment to breathe in the scent of oranges. Let the elegance of Avenue des Orangers transport you back in time. Let the stories of this avenue linger in your memory long after your visit.