Visiting museums in Paris with kids can sometimes feel like a bit of a gamble. Some places click immediately with families, others… not so much. As a Paris-based family, we’re always on the lookout for museums that feel easy to navigate and genuinely enjoyable with children. On our latest visit to the Musée de l’Orangerie with kids, we found just that. Set inside the Tuileries Garden, this smaller Paris museum struck a lovely balance between Monet’s iconic Water Lilies, well-thought-out family spaces, and a pace that allowed us to slow down and enjoy the experience together.
Starting with Monet’s Water Lillies
We began our visit exactly where everyone starts: Monet’s Water Lilies. The oval rooms were designed with Monet’s direct input, created specifically to display these enormous panoramic panels as one continuous experience rather than individual paintings. His intention was for visitors to feel completely immersed. Looking at the paintings you feel surrounded by water, reflections, sky, and shifting light.
What surprised me is how different the paintings feel in person. Up close, you see loose brushstrokes, layered colour, and almost abstract textures. Step back though, and suddenly the water lilies, reflections, and horizon emerge. The soft natural light filtering through the ceiling changes throughout the day, so the paintings seem to evolve as you move around the space.
Rather than trying to explain Impressionism in a formal way, we focused on what we could all observe together: how the water never looks still, how the colours shift between blues, greens, and purples, and how there’s no clear beginning or end to the landscape. Monet painted these works later in life, inspired by his garden in Giverny, and they were installed here after World War I as a symbol of peace.
Downstairs to the Family Area
From there, we headed downstairs, into what felt like a little artistic hideout tucked within the museum: the Family Area. It’s a relatively new space at the Musée de l’Orangerie, opened in 2024 to give kids and their parents a place to pause, play, create and explore art together.
For kids (ages 0–12), the Family Area is a place to use their hands as much as their eyes. There are art and craft tables set up with scissors, glue, and coloured paper so they can cut and make their own little water lily creations, building on the colours and shapes from Monet’s paintings. There’s also a reading nook with books, spots to just lounge and look, and even sound corners where kids can listen to themed audio content that brings the art to life. We found it a great breather between galleries, long enough that kids could really engage without feeling rushed (think 10–30 minutes of creative play), but short enough that it didn’t feel like a whole separate stop on the itinerary.
The Family Area is open during all regular museum hours on weekends, French public holidays, and school vacations, and it’s free with your museum ticket — no separate booking needed.
Exploring the Permanent Collection
Re-energised, we continued into the permanent collection, where the museum expands beyond Monet and introduces a range of early 20th-century artists. As you walk through the rooms, you’ll see everything from Renoir’s softer, more familiar paintings to Cézanne’s landscapes and still lifes, alongside colourful works by Matisse and Derain, expressive portraits by Modigliani, and some striking pieces by Picasso. The variety makes it interesting to explore as a family because each room feels a little different — new colours, new shapes, new ways of looking at people and everyday scenes.
I liked that this part of the museum feels visually diverse without becoming overwhelming. The shifts in style kept the kids curious, giving them something new to notice in each room while still feeling connected as one story. Unlike larger museums where kids can burn out quickly, the Orangerie allows you to experience modern art at a gentle pace. We moved slowly, stopped when something caught our eye, and skipped rooms when it didn’t.
By the time we’d finished exploring the permanent collection, we naturally drifted into the museum bookshop. My daughter was completely absorbed in a little art book she had discovered in the Family Area, and we spent a relaxed moment browsing together, looking for the same book to bring home. There is also a café next to the bookshop, which looked bright and inviting, a nice option for a snack if you wanted to stop before heading back out into the Tuileries gardens.
A Few Practical Tips
We visited the Musée de l’Orangerie with kids for free because it was the first Sunday of the month. Many national museums in Paris offer the same, which is a great opportunity for families to explore art without worrying about tickets. You do still need to book a time slot in advance on the official website a couple of weeks in advance but it makes for an easy, budget-friendly cultural outing. Going early in the day also helps avoid crowds, so the kids can enjoy the galleries without feeling rushed.
Even if you’re visiting on a different day, it’s not a very expensive museum. Tickets cost €12.50 for adults, and children under 18 enter for free, which makes it easy to plan a family outing without breaking the bank.
The museum is small enough that you don’t need a whole day, but big enough to feel like a proper outing. For us, about 1.5–2 hours worked perfectly. It was enough time to see Monet, explore the Family Area, browse the permanent collection, and finish in the bookshop without hurrying.
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly art museum in Paris that feels calm and genuinely welcoming for families, the Musée de l’Orangerie is always a lovely choice.
Address: Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde (Seine side), Paris, 75001
Opening hours: Daily 9am-6pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Stay to Explore the Tuileries Gardens
The museum is located in the Tuileries Gardens, and there are quite a few family-friendly activities in this park (you can read more about these in my blog post here).
It’s a wonderful open space for kids to run around, though keep in mind that there are no grassy lawns. The park features a small playground, a carousel, a trampoline park, and plenty of vendors selling ice cream and sandwiches, so you’re covered when snack time rolls around. Plus, the Tuileries Garden is perfectly located between the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre Museum, making it an ideal stop while exploring other iconic Parisian landmarks.
If you’re visiting the gardens during the summer or Christmas holidays, a festive funfair awaits, complete with rides and a Ferris wheel.
At the Grand Basin, you can rent a small sailboat with a stick for children to navigate the waters(€5 per rental). The playground in the north of the garden, near the Castiglione entrance, is relatively small and is fenced for safety. One of its standout features is a massive netted climbing frame with a chute slide. Children climb up a steep ladder, navigate a rope tunnel and slide down to the ground. Although recommended for older kids (6+), younger ones often give it a try!
More on Paris
The Best Areas to Stay in Paris with Kids (and WHY!) – help with choosing the right neighbourhood to stay in.
Paris Itineraries with Kids – 8 free day itineraries that cover top attractions, family-friendly activities and restaurants.
What to do in Paris with kids on a rainy day – options for keeping children entertained and dry in the city.
Join me on Instagram to get more inspiration for things to do and see in Paris.
My Ultimate Guide to Paris with Kids is also packed with family-friendly tips and recommendations on things to see and do in Paris.
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