Which Impressionist museum in Paris should I go to?

Musee d’Orsay definitely. The Impressionist collection of French artists here is probably the best anywhere in the world.

I'm sorry, but I'D try to see both. Even if you only visit the floor with Monet's Water Lilies it is SO worth visiting the Orangerie.

If you HAVE to pick one, I guess its the Orsay. But, if you love Monet and the lily pads, you really ought to go to the Orangerie as well. The paintings are huge and you will really feel immersed. It is a smaller museum, so doesn't take nearly the time that the Orsay does.

Depends on your interests. If you’re a huge Monet fan, maybe just the l’Orangerie because his Waterlilies is incredible. If you want to see a large variety of artists and their paintings, the Orsay. I don’t think anyone can really tell you what you “should” do.

My opinion is Musee d’Orsay. The collection is vast -- much larger than l'Orangerie. And the interior of the building itself is something to behold since is was once a railroad station.

Thanks, everyone!

You could probably do both. A visit to the d'Orsay takes several hours. If you only want to see Monet's water lilies at l'Orangerie, that takes less than an hour.

The Orsay is bigger so has a wider ranging collection. I recently went to both during my October visit and I have to say that the Orangerie was so crowded I could hardly move. I only went downstairs and it was so bad down there I did not even go in the ground floor level rooms for the Water Lilies. And this was after going to the Orsay and visiting the special Caillebotte exhibition which was pretty crowded as expected.

I had timed entries at both.

I would also look to see if there are any special exhibitions at either place in case they are of interest as well.

You didn't mention it but if you are a Monet fan, the Musee Marmottan Monet has an excellent collection. I did not go to this museum on my recent trip so not sure how the crowds are running here.

https://www.marmottan.fr/

I always like to see the Cezanne at the Orangerie, in addition to the water lilies, of course. The last time I was there, there was a special exhibit of Grant Woods. Quite amusing that I would go all the way to Paris to see a midwest exhibit.

My girls liked the miniature rooms that I believe were of the Paris apartment of the collector that donated some of the works.

Flip a coin. The differences have been described above and both are fine choices. My daughter said the Orangerie when given the choice because she was super interested in Monet at the time while her same aged cousin said the Musee d’Orsay because she wanted more variety. And she wanted to see the clock.

The fifth floor of the d'Orsay is a must. #1 I have no explanation how this past April on a beautiful Sunday late morning how after visiting the special 1874 Inventing Impressionism (which closed in July) exhibit on the first floor; we went up to the amazing permanent impressionist collection on the 5th floor; got a picture of the clock without anyone in it and took in the beautiful art. It wasn't crowded until the end. I still pinch myself...I felt like we practically had it to ourselves. Maybe everyone was busy staying downstairs. It wasn't my first visit to the d'Orsay but it was certainly my favorite. It's really is a sight to behold. I say don't miss it! But, it is normally very crowded.

And l'Orangerie is small and manageable for Monet's amazing water lillies murals if you can do both; which you should really consider. You could make that a quick short visit.