Impressionist Normandy from Giverny to Honfleur

Day 1 - Giverny - Rouen

What better way to begin an impressionist route than from Giverny, home of one of the movement’s most famous founders? Monet welcomed many foreign artists who helped to spread the fame of this small village throughout the world. Visit Claude Monet’s house, whose flower garden provided so much inspiration, followed by the Museum of Impressionism where you can admire the work of several painters of the era. On the road, you can stop-off in Vernon or Andelys, both so popular with the Impressionists. Arriving in Rouen, head to the old centre with its gorgeous Gothic cathedral, its abbey, its Saint-Maclou church and the Robec quarter.

MyTripTailor advice: A visit of the Monuments Rouennais is well worthwhile. Don’t cut short the tour if you run out of time: take the opportunity to complete the walk the next morning.

Day 2 - Rouen - Le Havre

If you didn’t manage it the day before, don’t hesitate to take the time to walk around Old Rouen which contains some treasures of Gothic architecture. Continue your journey by stopping at la Bouille and its beautiful cliffs, the ruins of the Jumièges Abbey, one of the oldest in the west, the fluvial city of Caudebec-en-Caux and the château de Villequier witness to the tragic death of Léopoldine Hugo. Arrive in Le Havre in the early evening to enjoy the harbour sunset.

Day 3 - Le Havre / Honfleur - day

Honfleur, the town that impressed even the Impressionists! Go early in the morning to the must-see Pont de Normandie (Toll section). Soak up the ambiance that seems straight out of a painting of the quays dominated by the terraces of the Vieux-Bassin ‘Old Basin’, the astonishing St. Catherine’s Church with its vaulted roof, the half-timbered houses of old Honfleur based around the Place Arthur-Boudin. Head to the Boudin Museum to discover, 92 of the painter’s paintings and drawings,. among other things. Overnight in Honfleur or in Le Havre.

MyTripTailor advice: Stop off at Satie’s house (for a musical journey in the composer’s home)

Day 4 - Le Havre - Étretat

The town that inspired Monet’s painting Impression, Sunrise, Le Havre is also home to the Musée d’art Moderne André-Malraux (MuMa), the second largest collection of Impressionist paintings after Paris. Don’t miss the port of Le Havre, before visiting the cliffs of Etretat, about 20 km from Le Havre, the inspiration for numerous artists such as Boudin, Monet or Courbet. Overnight on the coast of Etretat where you can entertain yourself at a casino.

MyTripTailor Advice: look out for the Impressionist tables, found in the exact locations in which works of art were work painted. A chance to compare perspectives of landscape and painting.

Day 5 - Étretat - Dieppe

Leave the cliffs of Etretat along the coast as far as the Palais Bénédictine of Fécamp. This masterpiece of Neo-Gothic architecture survived the bombings and was originally built for the production of Benedictine liqueur. The next stop 17kms further along are the Petites Dalles which inspired several paintings by Berthe Marisot and Eugène Delacroix. On the way you could head to Valéry-en-Caux, Veules-les-Roses or Varengevilles sur Mer and its Manoir Ango, which are all interesting stopovers. Overnight in Dieppe.

Day 6 - Dieppe day

Imagine Dieppe before the bombardment with the paintings « L’avant-Port de Dieppe » by Camille Pissaro or « Les falaises du Pollet »  by Eugène Boudin. Among the interesting places to visit: -The cliff-top Castle-museum which dominates Dieppe and houses the paintings of Isabey, Boudin, Renoir, Pissaro, Sisley, Dufy etc. -Château de Miromesnil, 11km south of Dieppe a beautiful historic residence of the 17th century and birthplace of Guy de Maupassant.

MyTripTailor advice: Your stay ends here. Spend a last night in Dieppe to make the most of your trip before getting back on the road.