Monet’s famous water lilies
A year ago today I was in Paris with my sister, Susanne, visiting L’Orangerie which is my favourite museum in that city.
When registering for the three day Paris Pass one must line up at the first museum you visit and buy your pass there. As the queues at Musee d’Orsay and the L’Ouvre are generally very long I guessed, correctly, that we shouldn’t have to waste much time standing in line at this small gallery.
Monet’s Water Lilies – I want to step into the painting.
Having been to Musee Marmottan and Monet’s garden at Giverney on our previous visit to Paris, we had an idea of what to expect and I had visited this gallery many years before, but the spectacle is amazing, no matter how many times I see it. The oval room has a large painting on each of the four walls with benches in the middle, so that viewers can sit and admire the art (provided the space isn’t filled with other people standing in front of the scenes.) Not only are the 
paintings themselves 
stunning but the way they are arranged makes me feel that I could take one step and be in there, a nymph (excuse my imagination) rising out of the water. The closest I came was in a photo, in front of one of the paintings. People speak in hushed tones and, although most are busy taking photos, the atmosphere is respectful and visitors are considerate of their fellow admirers, 
moving to one side so that we can all capture the image we want. I took many more than I can show you here, but if you get a chance, if you’re in Paris and you want to see some Monet, especially the water lilies, make this museum your first stop.
It also has some of my favourite Renoir’s. I’m sure everyone recognises these three paintings as they are often depicted on cards and are the most delightful images of young ladies. I think they
My sister. She loves this image of the little girl playing.
are his daughters. One of you will, I’m sure inform me if that’s incorrect.
The other artist whose work caught my eye, is Derain, for his still life pieces and
Derain’s Clowns
this one of two dancers or clowns.
There was so much to see; Cezanne, Picasso, Modigliani and Matisse, that by the time we left, 
feeling pretty hungry, many of the outdoor cafes in the Tuileries Garden were closed. We found a delightful, glassed in place and enjoyed a (not typical French) lunch. On the way back to our hotel we stocked up on picnic style food at the mini-mart on the corner, which we had discovered on our previous visit. Dinner in my room that night was delicious, we were tired, and an early night was essential as we had big plans for Saturday.