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Musée De L’Orangerie. The Orangerie has come a long way from its original role as the greenhouse of the Jardin des Tuileries. Opened as a museum in 1927, the intimate building is home to a phenomenal set of works, collected by two men wholly unconnected to one another, except that they were both married to the same woman (at different times). The collection includes works by Renoir, Cézanne, Modigliani, Rousseau, Matisse, and Picasso. But the admitted highlight is Monet’s enormous Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies), which cover the walls of two oval-shaped rooms that form the sign for infinity. Recently renovated and consequently crowded, the Orangerie's popularity should not deter visitors; the art is worth the wait. (Southwest corner of the Jardin des Tuileries; 1er. Concorde. ☎01 44 77 80 07; www.musee-orangerie.fr. Open M, W-Su 12:30-7pm; open until 9pm on F. €7.50, under 26 €5.50; audioguides €5, under 26 €3. Wheelchair accessible.)
Jeu De Paume. Not be confused with the Jeu de Paume of the Tennis Court Oath at Versailles, this Jeu de Paume, in the Tuileries, was built in the 19th century and soon converted into an art gallery. In the 1930s, the museum showcased the masters of modern art; during WWII it was a warehouse for art confiscated from Jewish Parisians; and in 1958 it became home to a collection of Impressionist works. In 1986, the Impressionist works were moved to the new Musée d’Orsay , and the Jeu de Paume closed for extensive renovations. In 1991, President Mitterand inaugurated the revived building, whose new role would be a gallery displaying contemporary art—from well-known to new-on-the-scene artists. Its latest incarnation, as of summer 2006, is a center for photography and video. (1 pl. Concorde; northwest corner of the Jardin des Tuileries; 1er. Concorde. ☎01 47 03 12 50; www.jeudepaume.org. Open Tu noon-9pm, W-F noon-7pm, Sa-Su 10am-7pm. €6, seniors and under 25 €4, under 10 free.)
Musée Des Arts Décoratifs. Housed in the northwestern wing of the Louvre, the Musées des Arts Décoratifs displays much more creativity than its name suggests. Packed with decorative art from the middle ages to today, the museum showcases some more predictable things (extravagant gold plates, embroidered chairs) and many that may surprise you—like clothing designer Jeanne Lanvin’s marble-outfitted bathroom, a bright red kiss-shaped couch, or an apparently useless gold encrusted boat, gift from Empress Eugenie to her husband Ferdinand. Regardless of what it is, you can expect it to be over-the-top. (107 rue de Rivoli, Palais du Louvre; 1er. Palais-Royal. ☎01 44 55 57 50; www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr. Open Tu, W, F 11am-6pm, Th 11am-9pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm. Admission €8, under 26 €6.50, under 18 free. MC/V. Wheelchair-accessible.)
Musée De La Mode Et Du Textile. Housed in the Louvre with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Musée de la Mode et du Textile is a huge collection of all that has been en vogue since the 18th century. Exhibits rotate annually and trace the history of costume from 17th-century brocade evening dresses to the runway fashions of Chanel and Dior. (107 rue de Rivoli, Palais du Louvre; 1er. Palais-Royal. ☎01 44 55 57 50; www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr. Open Tu, W, F 11am-6pm, Th 11am-9pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm. Admission €8, under 26 €6.50, under 18 free. MC/V. Wheelchair accessible.)
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