Renoir exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay: “Le Déjeuner des canotiers” present in France for the first time in 20 years

Paris – 26.05.2026: At the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the exhibition “Renoir et l’amour. La modernité heureuse (1865–1885)” runs until July 19, 2026, focusing on the first twenty years of the Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. A highlight of this exhibition is the painting “Le Déjeuner des canotiers” (Luncheon of the Boating Party), on display in France again for the first time since 1985.

“Le Déjeuner des canotiers” was created from 1880 to 1881 and depicts a lively scene on the banks of the Seine, where friends and artists gather for a communal lunch. This work is considered one of the most famous paintings in the world and reflects Renoir’s ability to render the everyday with vivid color and graceful brushwork.

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

Alongside “Le Déjeuner des canotiers”, the exhibition also includes around fifty works from the first half of Renoir’s career, including “La Grenouillère” (1869), “La Promenade” (1870) and “La Danse à Bouvigal” (1883). A particular emphasis is placed on displaying large-scale paintings, highlighting Renoir’s creative approach to depicting everyday life.

For visitors wishing to learn more about the subject, the Musée d’Orsay offers a varied events program. On June 5, 2026, there will be an event entitled “Le Déjeuner des canotiers” focusing on this work. In addition, concerts and other presentations are organized to complement the exhibition.

The “Renoir et l’amour” exhibition is open daily from 9:30 to 18:00, with extended opening hours on Thursdays until 21:45. Admission is 16 euros, reduced to 13 euros. The first Sunday of each month is free for all visitors. It is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid waiting times.

For those who cannot visit in person, the Musée d’Orsay provides a short preview of the exhibition and the painting “Le Déjeuner des canotiers” on its YouTube channel.

The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience Renoir’s works in a new light and to appreciate the depth of his depiction of the 19th-century modern world.