This itinerary takes place mainly in Paris where the fathers of The French Impressionism Movement started their revolution of the arts. Then, two days in Normandy, one of the regions in France, that was painted by impressionist artists such as Boudin, Monet, and others.
Day 1, Paris
Greeting at the airport by Anglatin representative. Transfer to Hotel followed by a Panoramic tour of Paris, where you will be able to appreciate the River Seine and its many bridges, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel tower, the Champs de Mars, les Invalides, the Trocadero, the Concorde Square, The Champs Elysees, The Arc de Triomphe and many more. Rest of the day free to relax in and around the cosmopolitan Paris. In the evening a welcome dinner at a Brasserie. Overnight Paris
Day 2, Paris
Breakfast. In the morning visit of the Orsay museum, the temple of Impressionist Painting. This museum is very much alive and keeps on buying international masterpieces. In addition to the permanent exhibition, temporary exhibitions are offered.
We suggest you have lunch in the restaurant of the museum; they have a beautiful hall with frescoes and high ceilings. After lunch, cross the river Seine (an easy 15 minutes walk) and visit the Orangerie.
The Orangerie is located in the Concorde Square, at the end of the Tuileries Gardens, and it used to house all impressionist paintings before Orsay was remodelled into a museum. Still on display are the integral of Les Nymphe'as from Monet. Free evening. Overnight Paris
Day 3, Paris
Breakfast. After breakfast you leave Paris and drive westward towards Giverny. The bus will take the small country road along the River Seine where you will cross the town of Vetheuil. Its Church was very often painted by Monet and the village of La Roche Guyon with its castle dating 13 & 18C.
You then arrive in Giverny, Claude Monets home. The house and gardens are situated on a hillside and are surrounded by lush gardens. Opposite the house and the masters' studio are the floral gardens where an abundance of flowers including roses, nasturtium, poppies and several annual plants blend harmoniously. After walking through a tunnel, you enter the magical area, the water gardens in an oriental style where the Japanese bridge, the wisterias, the willow and the famous water lilies where the artists were inspired for more than 20 years. The house is full of colours, you will discover Monet's' impressive collection of Japanese watercolours covering the walls. Visit the kitchen and the living room. Free time for lunch in Giverny. In the afternoon visit the nearby American Art museum.
Since Monet settled in Giverny in 1883, the village has attracted large numbers of American artists. These men and women soon formed an important artist colony in the village that lasted until around 1920. See paintings of Childe Hassam, Curran, Homer, Sargent. Proceed to Rouen, orientation tour of the old town, located on the right bank cobbled stoned pedestrian narrow street around the Gothic Cathedral. Monet used to live there with his brother Leon. He has often painted the cathedral, the shores of River Seine and the factories. Overnight Rouen.
Day 4, Rouen
Breakfast. Start the day with the fine art museum of Rouen, one of the best museums of the type outside of Paris. See its impressionist section as well as the other periods. Then proceed to Honfleur. This is a fishing and sailing port, dear to the impressionists and other artists, see the bassin and the Lieutenance building. We will visit the Ste Catherine church entirely made of wood. And the Eugene Boudin museum featuring some Boudin paintings and pastels, and several other artists at the origins of the "Honfleur School". Eugene Boudin painted the beaches of La havre that Marcel Proust described in his master piece.
Lunch in Honfleur. In the afternoon proceed to Deauville for some free time in the " Riviera " of Normandy coast. See and shop till you drop in the chic boutiques and/or take the afternoon tea in one of the hotels. Drive back to Rouen for dinner and overnight. Overnight Rouen.
