If you’re a fan of the paintings of Claude Monet, you’re likely familiar with his home in Giverny and the famous water lily paintings. Monet certainly drew inspiration from his gardens, but there are other towns and landscapes in Normandy that also inspired him. Here’s the perfect Normandy itinerary for fans of Monet. With a rental car, you can easily knock out this itinerary in one day or include it as part of a longer Normandy itinerary.
Giverny
Your first stop is Monet’s home in Giverny. You’ll have the opportunity to tour the artist’s home which features replicas of his work.
The most exciting stop in Giverny is the water garden which inspired Monet’s Water Lilies series, some of which is on display at Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris. The series is comprised of about 250 oil paintings.
Click here for full details on what you need to know about visiting Giverny.
Rouen
The next stop in the itinerary is the city of Rouen, known for its massive cathedral and as the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Monet’s Rouen Cathedral series was painted in the 1890s and shows the cathedral at various times of day. Some of these paintings can be seen at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
You can read more about visiting Rouen here.
Etretat
After Rouen, drive to Etretat, a town located on the English Channel. Monet was captivated by the white cliffs of Etretat. Monet painted the cliffs of Etretat many times. His most famous painting, The Cliff, is on display at Musée d’Orsay in Paris.
Read more about what to see and do in Etretat here.
Honfleur
The final stop in Normandy is the town of Honfleur, an old port town on the Seine near the English Channel. With its unique architecture along the harbor, it’s easy to see why Honfleur appeared in many of Monet’s works.
Bonus Stops in Paris
If you plan to visit Paris, make sure to check out the Musée de l’Orangerie and Musée d’Orsay.
Musée de l’Orangerie
Musée de l’Orangerie, located in the Tuileries Garden, is home to Monet’s Water Lilies series.
Musée d’Orsay
Next, head to Musée d’Orsay to check out more of Monet’s work. You can review the full index of his works here.
Final Thoughts
That completes the Normandy itinerary for fans of Monet! On this itinerary, you’ll experience the places where Monet drew inspiration for some of his most famous works including Giverny, Rouen, Etretat, and Honfleur. In addition to visiting these places in person, be sure to check out the works of Monet at the museums in Paris.
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