Musee de L'Orangerie

From the outside, this museum appears typical--a big rectangular building set in a park (The Tuileries). I learned it was originally the winter greenhouse for the orange trees.

We entered the oval rooms inside through a small empty circular room painted white with a single skylight. Monet is said to have designed this room as a passageway in which to transition from the business of the outside world to the peace and tranquility offered by art. The effect was stunning!