Retracing the Footsteps of Claude Monet, 100 Years Later
This year marks the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death, commemorating one of France’s most influential artists and a founding figure of Impressionism. From the coastal towns of Normandy to the sunlit shores of the Mediterranean, Monet’s life unfolded across France, and each region left a distinct mark on his work.
Follow the different stages of Monet’s life and discover immersive experiences across the country that allow you to step back in time and see France through his eyes.
Exploring Claude Monet’s Life and Legacy in France
Paris
Claude Monet was born in 1840 in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Although his family moved to Le Havre in Normandy when he was five, Paris remained central to his artistic development. He returned frequently, first to admire paintings at the Louvre and later to study painting at the Académie Suisse. Paris was also where Monet encountered many other notable artists, including Gustave Courbet and Édouard Manet.
Entrance Tickets to the Musée de l’Orangerie
Monet’s legacy remains deeply embedded in Paris’ cultural landscape. The Musée de l’Orangerie is home to his monumental Nymphéas (Water Lilies) cycle, which includes eight immersive murals. The museum also houses works by Cézanne, Picasso, Modigliani, and other major modern artists. Prearranged entrance tickets ensure a seamless visit, allowing you to focus fully on the experience of Monet’s most ambitious work.
Honfleur
After growing up in Le Havre, Monet spent much of his early adulthood traveling throughout Normandy. Honfleur was particularly significant during the 1860s. He stayed there in 1864 with fellow artists Eugène Boudin, Frédéric Bazille, and Johan Barthold Jongkind, and he returned again in 1866. The town’s harbor, light, and skies played a key role in shaping his early Impressionist works.
Discovery of Honfleur Tour
Founded over 1,000 years ago, Honfleur is remarkably well preserved, thanks in part to conservation efforts established in the 20th century. On this guided walking tour, you will explore the historic center much as Monet once did. Visit the Old Basin, the salt granaries, the Lieutenancy, and Sainte-Catherine Church while learning about the town’s artistic heritage.
Fécamp and Étretat
Monet first visited Fécamp in 1868 and returned in 1881, spending several weeks painting its busy fishing port. Nearby Étretat captivated him even more. Between 1883 and 1886, Monet painted the dramatic white cliffs and natural rock arches more than 50 times. He was fascinated by how light, weather, and sea transformed the landscape.
Private Guided Driving Tour to Étretat and Fécamp
This full-day excursion from Paris immerses you in the coastal scenery that inspired many of Monet’s seascapes. Begin in Étretat, celebrated for its towering cliffs and sweeping views, before continuing to Fécamp, a historic port with a rich maritime past. Return comfortably to your hotel by early evening, having traced the landscapes that fueled some of Monet’s most ambitious series.
Giverny
In 1883, Monet rented a house in Giverny, between Vernon and Gasny, which he would call home for the next 43 years. Here, he created some of his most celebrated works. Not only did he paint many of his most famous works while living here, but this property also inspired many of them. The flowerbeds, Japanese bridge, and water lily pond became recurring subjects, evolving into a lifelong artistic obsession that culminated in the Nymphéas series.
Private Guided Walk through Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny
Today, Giverny is one of the world’s most important Impressionist sites. Visitors can explore Monet’s house, preserved with original furnishings, and wander through the gardens that directly inspired his paintings. A private tour offers insight into Monet’s life, his creative process, and the deliberate way he shaped nature into art.
Antibes
In 1888, Monet traveled to the Mediterranean coast, spending four highly productive months in sunny Antibes. During this period, he completed 39 paintings, capturing the region’s intense light, vivid colors, and expansive seascapes. Though accustomed to northern landscapes, Monet embraced the challenge of the Mediterranean, expanding his palette and deepening his exploration of atmosphere and light.
Private Artistic Walk and Sketch Session in Antibes
Discover Antibes through an artist’s perspective on a guided walk followed by a hands-on sketching session. Learn how painters such as Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, and Nicolas de Staël found inspiration in the town’s sunlit streets and Mediterranean scenery. The experience concludes with a guided drawing session, inviting you to embrace your artistic side and creatively retrace Monet’s footsteps.
Where to Stay in France
La Ferme Saint-Siméon
La Ferme Saint-Siméon is a countryside escape located on the Heights of Honfleur. Many years ago, this five-star hotel was a simple farm inn that welcomed Impressionist painters such as Monet, Boudin, and Courbet. Today, guests come here to indulge in spa treatments, savor gourmet dishes at the Les Impressionistes restaurant, and even take painting courses. It’s the perfect place to get away and find new inspiration in nature.
Domaine de Primard
Just a forty-minute drive from Giverny and an hour from Paris, the five-star Domaine de Primard in Guainville seamlessly combines nature, elegance, and serenity on its property. The 39 rooms and suites in this retreat offer a variety of views and amenities. Perhaps most impressive is the 30 hectares of gardens featuring semi-free-range sheep, a rose garden, and pathways along the Eure River.
While Claude Monet may now be gone, his art and the places that shaped it continue to tell his story. Whether standing before his paintings or exploring the landscapes that inspired them, a journey through France offers a deeper understanding of Monet and the Impressionist movement he helped define.
You may also be interested in Paris in Style: A Luxury Escape of Art, History & Taste and A Short Trip to Normandy from Flower Coast to Etretat Cliffs.
Our travel designers are available to customize your perfect trip to France inspired by art, culture, or other personal interests. Click below to get started.