Passionate about art and travel?
Normandy is an ideal destination for you! It was here that the impressionist movement was born and revolutionized art.
Here is our selection of 12 places to discover or rediscover the works of famous impressionist painters such as Monet, Manet, Renoir, Boudin… as well as the landscapes that inspired them.
1. Le Havre and Sainte-Adresse
It is in Le Havre (our birthplace) that everything started, according to some theories.
On the port, Monet painted in 1872 the canvas “Impression, sunrise”.
He decides to break down the view before him into keys. To represent its impression.
This is the end of realistic paintings. With his friends Renoir and Pissaro, modern art develops.
The seaside, with its changing skies, inspired them a lot. This walk continues on the adjacent town of Sainte-Adresse
Impressionist artists who painted Le Havre
- Claude Monet
- Raoul Dufy
- Eugene Boudin
- William Turner
What to do in Le Havre in relation with impressionism
Little of the Le Havre of that time is still there, because the city of Le Havre was destroyed during the Second World War. But you can still admire the lights that inspired him so much. It is the city of a thousand skies, in my opinion.
Along the waterfront promenade, you will find a few signs with examples of impressionist paintings, as with the Gateway below.
And don’t forget to visit the MuMa, the art museum of the city of Le Havre. His collection is rich with some very fine works by Monet, Degas, Boudin, Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro, Courbet, and Dufy.
How to visit Le Havre
- Driving time from Paris : 2h15
- Driving time from Rouen : 1h10
- Driving time from Caen : 1h15
- Accessible by train / bus : Train from Paris and Rouen, Bus from Caen
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Le Havre
2. Giverny
Giverny is the most famous Normandy destination for impressionism.
It is the best place to enter an impressionist painting thanks to the gardens of Monet that he painted so often.
He went beyond his status as a spectator by shaping his garden as he wished to paint it.
Impressionist artists who painted Giverny
- Monet – of course because it was his little corner of paradise
- and the American student painters who came to the village too: Metcalf, Wandel, Bruce, Taylor…
What to do in Giverny in relation with impressionism
The must-see is the visit of Claude Monet’s gardens and his house (remember to reserve your entrance).
But you can also walk around the village, see the inn of Mrs. Baudy who welcomed the American painters, admire the other gardens.
The village also has a Museum of Impressionism. You will discover the origins and history of the movement and of post-impressionism.
How to visit Giverny
- Driving time from Paris : 1h30
- Driving time from Rouen : 1h10
- Driving time from Caen: 2 hours
- Accessible by train / bus : Trains from Paris to Vernon (not very frequent) and shuttle to Giverny
- Organized tours: see the different tour options: guided, audio guided, or private
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Giverny
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3. Honfleur
The sky and harbor of Honfleur have inspired many artists of different styles, including the impressionists.
The harbor is indeed lined with lines of narrow houses from the 16th and 18th centuries, with cobblestone streets and unique buildings such as the wooden St. Catherine’s Church.
And with the sea and the Seine, the skies above the city are always in motion.
It is in Honfleur that the painter Eugène Boudin, the king of skies, was born. It was he who encouraged Monet to paint outdoors.
Impressionist artists who painted Honfleur
- Eugene Boudin
- Claude Monet
- John Jongkind
What to do in Honfleur in relation with impressionism
The first thing to do is to walk around the port, admire the landscape and look up. Take time to observe the clouds and the lights.
Explore the alleys to discover old timber-framed houses. Soak up the unique atmosphere of this place.
Then you can visit the Eugène Boudin museum (5 min walk from the old port – Rue de l’Homme de Bois). You will find several paintings on Honfleur and the Seine estuary by artists such as Monet, Courbet, Dufy, Cals, Dubourg… – The museum also contains a collection of drawings and paintings bequeathed by Eugène Boudin to his native town in 1898.
How to visit Honfleur
- Driving time from Paris : 2h20
- Driving time from Rouen : 1h
- Driving time from Caen : 1h
- Accessible by train / bus : You cannot reach Honfleur by train. There is however a bus service from the major cities of Normandy
- Organized tour from Paris: let us guide you to visit Honfleur and discover the flowery coast, Rouen and more – see the program
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Honfleur
4. Rouen
If you like impressionism and charming historical cities, Rouen is a must.
The “city of a hundred steeples” has been celebrated from time immemorial and painted by Hugo, Turner, Bonington, Corot, Monet, Pissarro and Gauguin.
It is one of the richest destinations in Normandy with half-timbered houses, narrow medieval streets and an impressive cathedral. Monet painted 31 versions of this cathedral!
And in the wake of the Impressionist masters, a “Rouen School” was created in the 1880s. It has hosted artists such as Lebourg, Angrand, Lemaître, Delattre, Pinchon, Louvrier, Couchaux…
Impressionist artists who painted Rouen
- Monet
- Pissarro
- Gauguin
What to do in Rouen in relation with impressionism
Spend some time admiring the Rouen Cathedral. Stand in front of its façade and study all the details. Do you find, like Monet, that even the stones change?
Don’t miss the Rouen Museum of Fine Arts. It houses one of the largest collections of Impressionists in France outside of Paris (including the private collection of François Depeaux). Eleven of Monet’s cathedral paintings are on display. You will also find works by the other impressionists Sisley, Caillebotte, Renoir, Pissarro and Degas.
And take a walk in the medieval city to discover its old half-timbered houses, the courthouse or the Big Clock.
How to visit Rouen
- Driving time from Paris : 1h15
- Driving time from Caen : 1h30
- Accessible by train / bus : Train from Paris (1h, quite frequent)
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Rouen
5. Étretat
Étretat is one of our favorite destinations in Normandy. Nature is majestic. And it has of course inspired many artists: painters and authors.
Here the white chalk cliffs fall steeply into the sea which sculpts them. You will find peaks and arches.
Monet spent long hours painting from the beach there, always frustrated that he could not better convey the landscape through his paintings.
Impressionist artists who painted Étretat
- Claude Monet, among others with the painting La Manneporte
- Gustave Courbet
- Barthold Jongkind
- Eugene Boudin
What to do in Étretat in relation with Impressionism
Stroll along the beach, climb the cliffs to admire the landscapes that have inspired so many painters.
We recommend staying at least one night to enjoy the lights at sunset.
How to visit Étretat
- Driving time from Paris : 2h30
- Driving time from Rouen : 1h10
- Driving time from Caen : 1h40
- Accessible by bus: no station in Étretat but buses from Le Havre and Rouen
- Organized tour from Paris : see the combined options with Rouen, or Le Havre or…
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Étretat
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
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6. Deauville and Trouville
The seaside resort of Deauville and its neighbor Trouville have long attracted the French bourgeoisie. Glamour is a bit like the ‘Parisian Riviera’.
There are long sandy beaches, elegant houses and the boardwalk (known for its film festival).
The coastal landscapes of Deauville and Trouville particularly inspired the Impressionists, including scenes of bourgeois life on the beaches.
Boudin’s paintings even make a kind of chronicle of it with scenes of the beaches, the racetrack and the casino.
Impressionist artists who painted Deauville and Trouville
- Deauville particularly inspired Monet, Berthe Morisot, Boudin and Gustave Caillebotte.
- Monet and Boudin were particularly fond of Trouville.
Stroll along the beach, the boards and the marina and observe the scenes of life as the artists did.
Stop in front of the Casino. Boudin represented his inauguration in
1864.
Then head towards the Touques racecourse which was painted by Boudin, Dufy
and Van Dongen.
And on the heights of Trouville, the Villa Montebello Museum presents works by Mozin and Boudin.
How to visit Deauville
- Driving time from Paris : 2h30
- Driving time from Rouen : 1h10
- Driving time from Caen : 50min
- Organized tour from Paris: let us guide you to visit Honfleur and discover at the same time the flowery coast and Giverny – see options
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Deauville
7. Barfleur and the Gatteville lighthouse
Barfleur is one of our favorite villages in Normandy. Its small open port, its unique church and its mussels…
The village as well as the lighthouse of Gatteville not far away offer marine landscapes where the elements can sometimes be unleashed.
Impressionist artists who painted Barfleur
- Paul Signac who rented a house near the church from 1930 to 1934
- Eugene Boudin
- Antoine Guillemet
Simply walk around, take the time to admire the port from all angles.
Go to the lighthouse of Gatteville and rest on the rocks to admire the ocean as far as the eye can see.
How to visit Barfleur
- Driving time from Cherbourg : 30min
- Driving time from Caen : 1h30
- Accessible by train / bus : no
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Barfleur
8. Dieppe
Dieppe is often overlooked as a destination in Normandy. Yet the small port town has a lot of charm with its historic houses, its harbor in several sections, its white cliffs and its long beach.
And like all along the Alabaster coast, the skies of La Manche have inspired artists.
Impressionist artists who painted Dieppe
- Claude Monet
- Pissaro
- Gauguin
- Renoir
- Eugene Boudin
What to do in Dieppe in relation with impressionism
First, take a walk around the harbor and on the beach to admire the scenes and cliffs that inspired the artists.
Then visit the castle overlooking the city. It contains a collection of 19th century impressionist paintings.
How to visit Dieppe
- Driving time from Paris : 2h30
- Driving time from Rouen : 50min
- Driving time from Caen : 2h15
- Accessible by train / bus : Train from Rouen
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Dieppe
9. Fécamp
Fécamp was one of the first seaside resorts to equip itself with a bathing establishment and a casino in 1832. It attracts many tourists and artists.
Impressionist artists who painted Fécamp
- impressionists : Monet, Degas, Boudin
- post-impressionists Signac, Marquet, Dufy
What to do in Fécamp in relation with impressionism
Take a walk along the harbor, on the beach and at the foot of the cliffs. You will be inside the paintings!
Go up to the Notre-Dame-du-Salut chapel, perched on the cliff of Amont for beautiful views of the city.
Visit the Musée des Pêcheries where you will find works by artists who have lived in Fécamp or in the region (Le Poittevin, Schuffenecker, Dieterlé,
Laurens, Prins).
How to visit Fécamp
- Driving time from Paris : 2h40
- Driving time from Rouen : 1h
- Driving time from Caen : 1h40
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Fécamp
10. Caen
Caen is a little less known for its impressionist works, but this is where Lépine came from. He came back to spend the vacations there every summer.
This self-taught artist was influenced by Camille Corot and Johann Barthold Jongkind and Impressionism.
He participated in the first impressionist exhibition in 1874.
A detour to this great city will complete your impressionist experience.
Impressionist artists who painted Caen
- Lépine
What to do in Caen in relation with impressionism
Take a walk along the Orne River, especially at sunset.
Then visit the Museum of Fine Arts within the walls of the Castle of William the
Conqueror. It houses a rich collection of impressionist and post-impressionist works.
Finally, in the Abbaye aux Dames, headquarters of the Normandy Region, the “Painting in Normandy” collection includes impressionist paintings created in Normandy between 1750 and 1950.
How to visit Caen
- Driving time from Paris : 2h30
- Driving time from Rouen : 1h40
- Accessible by train / bus : Train from Paris
- Organized tour :
- See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Caen
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
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Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
11 à 15. Other places of impressionism in Normandy
11. Vernon
Vernon is a small town very close to Giverny, and thus to Claude Monet’s house. His children were in school there.
He therefore painted many views, especially of the collegiate church, from his studio boat.
Bonnard also bought a house there where he painted from his terrace.
In terms of landscapes, Vernon is also well known for its old mill on the Seine.
View Vernon hotel deals
12. Varengeville-sur-Mer
This village is perched on the cliffs of the Alabaster coast.
Its location and views have been an inspiration to many artists: especially the church of Saint-Valéry and its famous marine cemetery, and also the Bois-des-Moutiers park, frequented by Rodin and Picasso.
The painting The Cliffs of Varengeville, 1897 is exhibited in Le Havre at the MuMa.
13. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin for Millet fans
It was in Cherbourg that Millet began his career in the 1840s. He returned in 1870.
This city also welcomed Berthe Morisot, who came here to restore her health.
The Thomas Henry Museum has the most important French collection of works by Millet (outside the Musée d’Orsay).
14. Les Andelys
The charming village of Les Andelys, along the Seine River, inspired Signac many times during different periods of his painting career.
Don’t miss to go up to the Château-Gaillard, the fortress built by Richard the Lionheart. The views are breathtaking. And it was painted by Turner, Daubigny, Signac, Vallotton, Lebasque…
15. Mont Saint-Michel and neo-impressionism
Jewel of Normandy, the Mont St-Michel is a site classified by UNESCO.
It is a village around an abbey on a small island that is surrounded by water at high tide.
For this reason alone, it is worth the trip.
But if you want to look at it with a neo-impressionist angle, admire the 7 paintings by Paul Signac (from 1897). He used the pointillism technique of Georges Seurat.
See the best hotel and accommodation offers in Mont Saint-Michel
And the museums of Paris, but it is not in Normandy
And of course, you can complete your trip with a few days in Paris to discover the original paintings of many impressionist artists.
Visit:
The Musée d’Orsay – It is famous for its view through the clock and the world’s finest collection of impressionist paintings with Monet, Degas, Renoir, Delacroix and many others.
If you haven’t bought the museum pass, buy your Orsay ticket in advance to avoid the lines, or book a guided tour, it’s worth it. Closed on Monday
Le Petit Palais – This museum is often overlooked, perhaps because admission is free, but it houses a small permanent collection with paintings by Delacroix, Cézanne, Monet, Pissaro and more. And it is located in a beautiful building!
The Marmonet-Mottan Museum – to learn more about Claude Monet
Musée de l’Orangerie with some of Monet’s most famous paintings (e.g. the water lilies).
The Normandy Impressionist Festival
In 2010, Normandy decided to create an event to celebrate its impressionist heritage, as well as the contemporary art scene.
Every few years (2 to 4 years), 35 local authorities in Normandy organize events throughout the region: exhibitions, concerts, live shows, etc.
See the official website on festival – the next one is in 2024!
Impressionist painters inspired by Normandy
The most famous impressionist painters who painted Normandy are :
- Claude Monet (1840-1926) – for his seaside landscapes and his gardens in Giverny.
- Eugène-Louis Boudin (1824-1898) – we find him in Honfleur. It was one of the precursors of Impressionism that encouraged Monet to paint outdoors.
- Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) – found more around Dieppe and more interested in the characters.
- Edgar Degas (1834-1917) – who was interested in movement and speed, particularly on the Côte Fleurie
- Camille Pissaro (1830-1903) – who enjoyed the countryside and the city equally. He likes to paint the same scene at different times to capture the impact of the light.
- …
The museums of Impressionism in Normandy
Paris is not the only city with beautiful collections of paintings.
You can admire impressionist masterpieces at the :
- MuMa – André Malraux Museum of Modern Art – in Le Havre with works by Boudin, Monet, Renoir, Pissaro…
- Claude Monet Foundation – in Giverny
- Museum of Fine Arts of Rouen – with the most important impressionist collection in France outside Paris
- Eugène Boudin Museum – in Honfleur with a beautiful collection of impressionist and contemporary paintings around Honfleur.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
