There’s a picture at every turn in this northern corner of France which inspired so many artists…
1. COTENTIN PENINSULA
Pre-Impressionist Jean-François Millet was well known for depicting farming in the area. Neo-Impressionist painter Paul Signac’s picture of the Phare de Gatteville is in the Musée d’Art Thomas Henry in Cherbourg.
2. DEAUVILLE
This upmarket coastal resort on the Côte Fleurie has huge sea-front villas, a casino, horseracing, vast sandy beaches, and Les Franciscaines, a cultural centre for art exhibitions and events with a performance hall and museum.
3. TROUVILLE-SUR-MER
Much loved by artists of multiple genres, hundreds of paintings have been created in Deauville’s charming neighbour just across the River Touques. Be sure to stay to watch the evening sunlight as it fades.
4. HONFLEUR
Painted by many Impressionists, Honfleur remains an artists’ paradise, with numerous galleries dotted around town offering contemporary art. Musée Eugène Boudin is a must-visit to understand painting en plein air.
IMAGES © SOPHIE KERNEN/JUMEAUX CO, MARIE-ANAIS THIERRY, DANIELLE DUMAS, CAROLINE MILLS, SEVERINE FRERES, VALENTIN PACAUT, THOMAS LE FLOC
5. LE HAVRE
Be here at dawn to see the view that Monet painted and named Impression, sunrise, which gave its name to the art movement. MuMa has one of the finest collections of pre-Impressionist and Impressionist artworks.
6. CÔTE D’ALBÂTRE
This stretch of coastline is. the most associated with Impressionist painters, including some of Monet’s most famous landscapes such as the cliffs at Étretat and, less well-known, the tiny village of Les Petites-Dalles.
7. DIEPPE
Pictures of Dieppe’s port feature in the Impressionist portfolio, as does the coastline at Varengeville-sur-Mer, west of Dieppe. Le Château de Dieppe is a good place to begin for heritage, plus a great view of the town and coast.
8. LA BOUILLE
This is a charming riverside village on the edge of one of the Seine’s meanders. Sisley, Lebourg and Gauguin painted river scenes here. Use the series of information panels to appreciate the social history of the village.
9. ROUEN
In Normandy’s capital, the outstanding cathedral architecture took centre stage for Claude Monet’s famous series of paintings. The Musée des Beaux-Arts has one of the finest art collections outside Paris – and it’s free to visit.
10. POSES
This pretty village sits beside one of the wildest parts of the Seine within Normandy. Above the village are two fabulous viewpoints overlooking the surrounding countryside: Panorama du Plessis and Panorama des Deux Amants.
IMAGES © SOPHIE KERNEN/JUMEAUX CO, MARIE-ANAIS THIERRY, DANIELLE DUMAS, CAROLINE MILLS, SEVERINE FRERES, VALENTIN PACAUT, THOMAS LE FLOC
11. VERNON
Visit the Musée Blanche-Hoschedé Monet, named after Monet’s stepdaughter who studied Impressionist painting with him. Paintings on display include a rare circular depiction from Monet’s Nymphéas series.
vernon27.fr/la-ville/culture/musee
IMAGES © SOPHIE KERNEN/JUMEAUX CO, MARIE-ANAIS THIERRY, DANIELLE DUMAS, CAROLINE MILLS, SEVERINE FRERES, VALENTIN PACAUT, THOMAS LE FLOC
12. GIVERNY
This is the best-known place connected to Impressionism in Normandy, home to the Maison et jardins de Claude Monet, the Musée des Impressionismes, Monet’s tomb and numerous contemporary art galleries.
From France Today Magazine
Lead photo credit : Giverny © Caroline Mills
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