Renoir Exhibition at the Musée d'Orsay: "Luncheon of the Boating Party" on Display in France for the First Time in 20 Years

Paris – May 26, 2026: The Musée d’Orsay in Paris is hosting the exhibition “Renoir and Love. The Happiness of Modernity (1865–1885)”, open until July 19, 2026. The exhibition focuses on the first twenty years of the Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. One of the highlights of the exhibition is the painting “Luncheon of the Boating Party” (Le Déjeuner des canotiers), shown in France for the first time since 1985.

“Luncheon of the Boating Party” was created between 1880 and 1881 and depicts a lively scene along the Seine River, where friends and artists gather to enjoy lunch. This work is considered one of the most famous paintings in the world, demonstrating Renoir’s ability to depict everyday life with bright colors and fluid brushstrokes.

The exhibition emphasizes Renoir’s role as an important painter of 19th-century modern life. Between the 1860s and 1880s, he developed a painting style characterized by lightness, light, and color, focusing on relationships between men and women.

Besides “Luncheon of the Boating Party,” the exhibition also features about fifty works from the first half of Renoir’s career, including “The Frog Pond” (La Grenouillère, 1869), “The Walk” (La Promenade, 1870), and “The Dance at Bougival” (La Danse à Bougival, 1883). The focus on large-format paintings highlights Renoir’s innovative approach to portraying everyday life.

To allow visitors a deeper understanding of the exhibition theme, the Musée d’Orsay has also arranged a variety of accompanying events. On June 5, 2026, a special event titled “Luncheon of the Boating Party” will specifically explore this work. In addition, concerts and other lectures are planned to enrich the exhibition experience.

The “Renoir and Love” exhibition is open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with extended hours until 9:45 PM on Thursdays. Ticket prices are 16 euros, reduced tickets 13 euros, and on the first Sunday of every month, all visitors enter for free. Advance booking is recommended to reduce waiting times.

For those unable to attend in person, the Musée d’Orsay offers brief introductions to the exhibition and “Luncheon of the Boating Party” on its YouTube channel.

This exhibition offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience Renoir’s work from a new perspective and deeply appreciate his exploration of 19th-century modern life.