Daily entry is limited. Booking early secures your spot for this unique artistic experience.

Exhibition "Henri Rousseau: The Ambition of Painting" Musée de l’Orangerie, from March 25 to July 20, 2026

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Step into the unique world of Henri Rousseau with an exceptional retrospective at the Musée de l’Orangerie. Portraits, landscapes, and masterpieces on loan from major museums reveal the boldness of a self-taught painter who became essential. A rare opportunity to discover the richness and ambition of his painting, from March 25 to July 20, 2026.

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€12.50

Exhibition

Admission includes permanent collections and exhibitions

Exhibition "Henri Rousseau: The Ambition of Painting"
March 25 to July 20, 2026

An exceptional retrospective dedicated to Henri Rousseau, known as "Le Douanier," featuring nearly 50 gathered works.
Prestigious loans from major international museums, including The Sleeping Gypsy, usually housed at MoMA in New York.
A self-taught and visionary artist, initially criticized but later celebrated as a key inspiration for 20th-century avant-garde movements.
A scenographic thematic journey: portraits, landscapes, self-portraits, major compositions, and late masterpieces.
Interactive displays and technical analyses, in partnership with the Center for Research and Restoration of the Museums of France.
An exceptional international collaboration between the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia.
Focus on Paul Guillaume, art dealer and cultural mediator, a key figure in the promotion of Rousseau’s work.
The prestigious setting of the Musée de l’Orangerie, in the heart of the Tuileries Garden, just steps from Place de la Concorde.
A cultural outing for everyone: art enthusiasts, students, families, or curious visitors.
Opening hours: open daily except Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entry at 5:15 p.m.).
A must-see cultural event of the 2026 season — to enjoy with friends, family, or in a group.

€12.50

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What to expect

Discovering a major exhibition devoted to Henri Rousseau is a rare opportunity. From March 25 to July 20, 2026, the Musée de l’Orangerie, nestled in the heart of the Tuileries Garden in Paris, will present a large-scale retrospective featuring nearly fifty works by the famous painter nicknamed “le Douanier.” It’s a must-see cultural event for art lovers, but also for anyone wishing to experience something unique — blending visual beauty, historical discoveries, and immersion in the singular world of an artist whose path was extraordinary.

Reserve your tickets now for an exceptional artistic journey

An unclassifiable artist who still fascinates

Henri Rousseau, a former employee of Paris’s octroi (customs), was not classically trained as a painter. Self‑taught, he developed an individual style that left a lasting mark on art history. His canvases, recognizable by their bold colors, daring compositions, and enigmatic atmospheres, earned him both admiration and curiosity. Initially criticized, he later became a true source of inspiration for the avant‑gardes of the early 20th century.

This exhibition highlights that pictorial ambition which led him to explore multiple genres: intimate portraits, assertive self‑portraits, evocative landscapes, and large compositions shown at the Salons. It unveils an artist who, far from being a naïve amateur, intentionally constructed a complex and deeply modern body of work.

A scenographic journey for total immersion

Through about fifty paintings drawn from prestigious collections, visitors are invited to rediscover Rousseau from a new angle. Among the exceptional loans is The Sleeping Gypsy, a masterpiece usually kept at the MoMA in New York.

The presentation is more than a succession of paintings: it is a genuine thematic journey. Each room explores a different facet of Rousseau’s work: his beginnings, his artistic affirmation, his commissioned portraits, and his mature works where one can perceive the full force of his creative voice.

An interactive installation also deepens understanding through technical analyses done in collaboration with the Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France. These scientific tools reveal the materiality of the works, offering visitors a fresh view on how Rousseau prepared and built his paintings.

An exceptional international project

The exhibition benefits from a remarkable collaboration between the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia. This partnership illustrates the global reach of Rousseau and underlines the importance of his works in forming significant modern collections.

The figure of the dealer Paul Guillaume, inseparable from the history of the Orangerie, also plays a central role. Close to many artists, he was instrumental in disseminating Rousseau’s paintings to collectors. Thanks to him, many works entered the famed Dr. Barnes collection, explaining the richness of the corpus assembled today.

The prestigious setting of the Musée de l’Orangerie

Attending this exhibition also means enjoying the incomparable charm of the Musée de l’Orangerie, located within the Tuileries Garden, just steps from Place de la Concorde. This emblematic venue, already known for its rooms dedicated to Monet’s Water Lilies and its permanent collection of modern masterpieces, provides an ideal setting for Rousseau’s paintings.

The museum is easily accessible by metro, bus or on foot from the major Parisian landmarks. It fits perfectly into a day of exploration in the historic heart of the capital.

Practical information: hours & details

Dates: March 25 to July 20, 2026
Opening hours: open daily except Tuesdays, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last admission at 5:15 PM)
Address: Musée de l’Orangerie, Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, Seine side, Paris 1ᵉʳ

Indicative pricing*:

Full price: €12.50
Reduced price: €10 (students, job seekers, beneficiaries of certain social minima, etc.)
Free: under 18, under 26 EU nationals, persons with disabilities and their companion.

*These rates are given for reference based on the museum’s usual pricing structure; they may be confirmed at the time of booking.

Why book your tickets now?

This retrospective promises to draw a large audience: art enthusiasts, students, families, and visitors from around the world. The daily capacity is limited, and high‑traffic periods — particularly weekends and school holidays — fill up fast.

By booking online, you gain several advantages:

Guaranteed access at your chosen date and time
Time savings by avoiding queues at the ticket counter
Flexibility to plan your visit according to your schedule
Peace of mind knowing your experience is secured without surprises

A cultural experience to share

Whether you are a modern art enthusiast, a curious visitor, or simply someone who loves beautiful discoveries, the exhibition Henri Rousseau, the ambition of painting offers a unique experience. It is also an excellent outing for families, friends, or even school or association groups.

Wandering through the galleries, you'll dive into Rousseau’s poetic, visionary universe, uncovering a painter who turned his passion into a genuine artistic adventure.

Conclusion: a rendezvous not to be missed

With this grand retrospective, the Musée de l’Orangerie dedicates itself to one of the most fascinating artists at the turn of the 20ᵗʰ century. Between emblematic masterpieces, a thematic path, interactive devices, and a prestigious setting, everything is in place for a memorable experience.

Don’t miss the chance to attend this major event of the 2026 cultural season. Reserve your tickets today and let yourself be carried away by the audacity and ambition of Henri Rousseau’s painting.

Schedule

Available every day except on Tuesday
Schedule: 9:00 am

Offer your group a unique cultural experience at the Musée de l’Orangerie!

Organizing an event for a group of more than 10 people?

Book your group visit now for the exhibition Henri Rousseau: The Ambition of Painting. Enjoy dedicated service, discounted rates, and easy organization thanks to our online form. Don’t miss this must-see event!

Feel free to contact us at +33 1 48 74 05 10 for any requests.