Where are Monet’s water lilies?
The confusion is understandable, and I correct it almost every day: in Giverny, you visit the subject, not the paintings. The water garden, dug in 1893, planted with water lilies in 1902, and expanded around 1901–1910, is what Monet painted about 250 times between 1897 and 1926. The *Water Lilies* studio, built in 1915 for the large panels, can be visited, but it’s empty of paintings. The works displayed in the house are the 243 Japanese prints from his collection.
The paintings, however, are in Paris. The Musée de l’Orangerie showcases the eight large panels in two oval rooms, installed thanks to Clemenceau and opened in 1927, five months after the artist’s death. The Musée Marmottan Monet holds the paintings bequeathed by Michel Monet to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1966. The Musée d’Orsay has others. The perfect day combines both: Giverny for the garden, the Orangerie the day before or after. The full story is on Monet in Giverny, and the pond’s bloom schedule is on the water lilies’ flowering.
The guided tour on-site points out, from the Japanese bridge, the exact viewpoints of the paintings. It’s the most tangible way to connect the pond to the Orangerie panels.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any Monet paintings in Giverny?
No, none. The house displays his collection of 243 Japanese prints; the paintings are at the Orangerie, Marmottan Monet, and Orsay. See Is Giverny worth it.
Where can you see the large *Water Lilies* panels?
At the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, in two oval rooms designed for them and opened in 1927. Their story is told on Monet in Giverny.
When can you see the water lilies in bloom in the pond?
From late June to September, morning and afternoon. Details on the water lilies’ flowering.