Art Tour to France – The Birth of Impressionism

The small village of Giverny is best known as the home of impressionist painter Claude Monet. A settlement has existed here since Neolithic times, and the quaint town is now an attraction in its own right.

Also known as the Fondation Claude Monet, this house is decorated in the original color schemes that Monet admired and the gardens are the subject of some of the artist’s best-loved works, including the Water Lilies series.

It is the capital of the Haute Normandie region, and was once the Anglo-Norman capital from which England was governed. The beauty of this thriving port city, which has grown from industrialization to a rich and cultured place, has drawn such notable tourists as Monet.

Dominated by its famous west facade and two unequal towers, Claude Monet increased the fame of this cathedral after completing his four paintings of the west facade.

Experience this bustling street where you will find old half-timbered houses and the famous Gros-Horloge Clock, to the Place du Vieux-Marché, the city's main square.

Giverny

Visit Monet’s famous home to experience where he lived and painted many of his famous works.  Stroll over the bridge and around the pond depicted in “Les Nympheas” (Water Lilies) and wander the beautiful gardens and subject of many of his masterpieces.

The former defensive port of Honfleur has grown into one of Normandy's most appealing harbor towns. The 17th century heart of the city has drawn artists from around France for the last century, including Boudin, Renoir, Courbet, and Cézanne.

This museum houses a variety of early Impressionist paintings, as well as a collection of Norman costumes.

See one of France's most important provincial museums, with more than 65 rooms of art. The collection ranges from medieval primitives to contemporary paintings. Many great artists are represented including David, Delacroix, Ingres, Veronese, Velazquez, Caravaggio, Rubens, Poussin, Fragonard, and Corot. The Impressionists are also represented, including several paintings of the Rouen cathedral by Claude Monet.

Visit this restored castle that takes us back to the time of the Impressionists.

Tour the inn where Vincent spent his last months and the room where he died. A short film explains the work that he completed while in Auvers-Sur-Oise.

Paris is one of the most iconic cities in the world, filled with culture and history, monuments and museums. Known as the City of Light, Paris is a million things to a million people. No writer has ever been able to truly capture Paris in words, and only the experience of being there can begin to express the grandness and magic of this incredible city.

Experience the perfect introduction to the beauty of Paris. We will pass under many graceful bridges and view important landmarks on both banks during our trip.

Enjoy an evening meal with your group.

Work began in 1163 on a spot that had been a holy shrine since Roman times. Over the centuries, the cathedral has been the scene of some of France's most momentous occasions, including the coronation of Napoleon.

Tour the renowned Louvre Museum with a local specialist guide. We will see Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the imposing Coronation of Napoleon, and many of the finest paintings and sculptures from western civilization.

Enjoy the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings of this gallery. It resides in the old orangery of the Tuileries Palace.

These Neo-Classical gardens are located outside of the entrance to the Louvre and continue to La Place de la Concorde for a magnificent view of the Champs-Élysées. Time permitting we will explore the Champs-Élysées, which offers a beautiful look at Parisian life and architecture.

Admire this massive triumphal arch commissioned by Napoleon. Today, it is a symbol of Paris and is home to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Tonight we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant in the Latin Quarter, a section of the city that dates back to the Roman times; it is generally associated with artists, intellectuals, and political unrest.

Louvre Pyramid

Designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, the Louvre Pyramid is a large glass and metal pyramid that serves as the primary entrance to the Louvre Palace in Paris.

This museum is housed in a former railway station. It features mainly French art from 1848-1915, and is best known for its impressionist masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Cézanne.

Learn about sculptor Auguste Rodin with a visit to the this 18th century mansion. It was the artist’s residence from 1908 until his death in 1919. We will view most of his significant creations, including The Kiss and The Thinker.

Discover Monet’s genius at the Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet. Holdings include many of his water lilies paintings, in addition to Impression: Sunrise, which gave the Impressionist movement its name.

See the huge white church that dominates the Parisian skyline. Construction of the church began in 1875 and ended in 1914, just before WWI. Inside, we can admire the stained glass and some of the world’s largest mosaics.

Tonight we will ascend to the Montmartre area of Paris, where we will have dinner in a local restaurant. This area was made famous in the late 19th century as an artists’ haunt. We will also spend time in the Place du Tertre, a square known for its local artwork.

The Marais features magnificent shops and cafes, and is a perfect place to take in the Parisian lifestyle. While here, we will get a view of La Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris.

This museum features over 3,000 works that span 75 years of the artist’s life and ever-changing style. Picasso's personal collection from his favorite artists is also on display. France acquired the collection by accepting it in lieu of $50 million in inheritance taxes from Picasso's descendants.

Walk through Place Igor Stavinsky, which features a fine contemporary fountain with mobile sculptures by Tinguely and Saint Phalle.

This colorful combination of steel, glass, pipes and tubes houses the National Museum of Modern Art.

Known as Paris's most recognizable landmark, this wrought-iron tower was not meant to be permanent, and the first permit was only for 20 years. But by that time, it had proved to be a valuable communication device for radio. It is now France's global icon and has hosted over 200 million visitors.

Enjoy an evening meal with your group.