Marvelous isn’t it? This magnificent structure before us is the Orangerie de Jussieu. It wasn’t always a museum though. In 1852 it was built as a winter shelter. It protected the orange trees of the Tuileries Palace gardens from harsh Parisian winters. Before the Orangerie’s construction these delicate trees were housed in the Louvre’s Grande Galerie.
Emperor Napoleon III commissioned this building. He wanted a stunning structure. The architect Auguste Bourgeois completed the project in a remarkably short four months. The design is clever. Its south-facing facade is mostly glass. This maximized sunlight and warmth for the trees. The north-facing wall is nearly windowless to block chilling north winds.
Notice the entrances. They are on the east and west sides. Architect Louis Visconti designed them. He also worked on the Louvre renovations. The columns and triangular pediments mirror the Tuileries Palace’s style. Sculptor Charles Gallois-Poignant added the details. The cornucopias plants and ears of corn celebrate the Orangerie’s original purpose.
After the fall of the Second Empire in 1870 and the devastating Tuileries Palace fire of 1871 the Orangerie became state property. It continued its role as a citrus tree haven. It also hosted a variety of events. Think horticultural shows musical performances art exhibitions banquets contests and even dog shows. All this continued until 1922.
Then came a dramatic change. After World War I the Orangerie was given to the Under-Secretariat of State for Fine Arts. Georges Clemenceau President of the Council had a vision. He wanted Claude Monet’s massive Water Lilies series to be displayed here not at the Musée Rodin as initially planned. Monet’s monumental donation transformed the Orangerie’s destiny.
Monet collaborated with architect Camille Lefèvre. The result? Eight breathtaking panels each two meters high and stretching an incredible 91 meters. These panels are arranged in two oval rooms symbolizing infinity. The east-west orientation ensures optimal sunlight. This aligns with Paris’s historical axis from the Arc de Triomphe to the Louvre. The museum was inaugurated in 1927 a few months after Monet’s death.
The Orangerie’s story continues. It became part of the Musée du Luxembourg and then the Musée National de l’Orangerie des Tuileries. In 1930 it joined the Louvre. It hosted countless important exhibitions throughout the 20th century including Impressionist shows a legendary “Painters of Reality” exhibition and the wildly popular “Rubens and His Age” show attracting over a million visitors.
The acquisition of the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume collection further shaped the Orangerie. This prestigious collection was donated by Domenica Walter the widow of both Paul Guillaume an art dealer and Jean Walter an architect. It houses works by major artists like Renoir Cézanne Matisse Picasso Modigliani and Rousseau.
Multiple renovations followed. Each improved the Orangerie’s function and appearance. The latest renovation between 2000 and 2006 restored natural light to the Water Lilies rooms. New spaces were added including exhibition areas an auditorium and an educational space.
Today the Orangerie de Jussieu stands as a testament to its rich history. It is a captivating blend of horticultural past artistic legacy and modern museum experience. It offers a unique journey through time and art. Enjoy your visit to this remarkable place.