Marmottan

Having been to both Marmottan and Giverny, I suggest there is no benefit to seeing a particular one first. Both were amazing to visit and while there is nothing else on my radar near Marmottan, I will definitely revisit. They often host spectacular small exhibits. To round out your “Monet fix”, consider visiting the Orangerie to see his waterlilly series. Aside from being spectacular, the building that houses them is pretty amazing. Seeing this last would help you see how his painting technique changed as his eyesight diminished. Enjoy!

There is a virtual tour of the Museum.
http://www.marmottan.fr/uk/Virtual_visit-musee-2511

Mondays are closed and Thursdays are open from 9 PM.

The park is just grass, unfortunately - and you might not be able to sit on it.

There is also a combo ticket for the Museum and Giverny. No sense in paying extra for it -
it comes to 18.50.
There is a large park - Le Ranelagh - if you would like to wander around there.

Otherwise, I can't think of restaurants or cafes - but you'll find something.

The Orangerie is in the Tuileries park, you have pay for the ticket or get the Museum Pass.

1) In my opinion Giverny is a better lead-in to Marmottan than the other way round. Giverny has the smaller, more focused scope. The Marmottan has a huge collection of Monets along with many other impressionists. Monet's later works are displayed at the Marmottan. They still draw inspiration from Giverny but take off in a different direction from his earlier pieces. Obviously, since we're talking about art, someone could recommend the exact opposite, but that's my opinion.
2) Never saw the park behind the museum but had to walk across a children's park to get to the Museum from La Muette Metro station. It was delightful, since the children seemed to be in a world of their own. This was several years ago, so things could have changed, but there wasn't the sense of pervasive adult oversight that is so normal in the U.S.
3) After leaving the Museum, we walked down Avenue Victo Hugo towards the Arc de Triomphe. A very nice street with upscale shopping, restaurants and cafes.

Have never been to Giverny, but visited Marmotten last September. Very nice museum, and it fits my preference for smaller museums. It is my understanding that there are no Monet paintings at Giverny. There were many at Marmotten, as well as many other impressionist artworks.

As far as nearby attractions, I took bus #63 (I think) from my hotel near the Odeon Theater (6th arr.) on a slightly rainy morning, and enjoyed watching Paris go by my window. (I have no idea why people on vacation dive underground on the metro to get around. You miss all the sights of the city just so you can zip by like someone who is commuting to work rather than vacationing). I arrived shortly after opening, so the crowds were smaller. After the Marmotten, I walked to Tour Eiffel. It was probably a half-hour walk, but I made a stop for lunch en route. There is the Wine Museum about 20 minutes away that I wanted to visit too, but there's only so much time...

I agree that the Orangerie is a good visit relative to a Giverny trip. That museum is all about the painting he made there, and there's a small collection of other Impressionist paintings also—though not as good as Marmotten imho. Maybe you could bookend your visit to Giverny with one museum on either side?

I agree that I would probably do Giverny first but only if it makes sense in the context of your other days. I wouldn't force it to happen but if it works, that's great.

I've had several nice meals at one of the cafes across from La Muette Metro station. Have a map because it's just a little confusing to get to the right street headed to the museum from the Metro exit to me. It doesn't seem like there are signs where there need to be, lol.

I, too, walk back to the Eiffel Tower from the Marmottan. If by that time in your trip you haven't viewed the ET from the Trocadero terrace it's a wonderful sight!

I'll also add that to me the ground and first floors of the museum are very hot and stuffy so have a small hand fan if you get hot easily. On the basement level where all the Monet's are they have good AC.

There is a certain cheerful novelty in going to Giverny after seeing the paintings and recognizing their inspirations. It is worth pointing out that the nice little museum at the estate doesn't have any Monet treasures to display.

The Jardin du Ranelagh is very nice, grass and trees. Here are some pictures. Don't miss the statue with the fox and grapes.

My biggest tip is to echo Pam's comment about finding your way if you use La Muette metro station. I think it only has one exit and when you climb the steps to exit, your heading toward Chaussee La Muette. Make a left down that street. About a block down part of the street bears left, stay on the major street. Soon after that, the signs for the museum start to appear and it's easy to find your way.

This last August we visited Marmottan and L'Orangerie ( first thing in the morning) and felt it was more meaningful to see them both. We did Giverney a few years ago; lucky you to do them in the same trip.

There is so much excellent advice on this thread! I am so grateful, as a previous search on the site did not yield much info on the subject!

We had a car when we visited Giverny, so we also visited Rouen to see the cathedral facade which he painted frequently and Etretat to see the cliffs.