Arrival of the Normandy Train, Gare Saint-Lazare by Claude Monet, 1877
Impressionism ignited in the rolling green countryside of Normandy, France, where Claude Monet and other local artists developed this new way of painting, shocking many traditionalists. Impressionists rebelled against the classical art tradition by painting outdoors and representing the modern world, emphasizing landscapes and everyday life. They especially focused on capturing the essence of light and how it could define a moment, creating such gems as Monet’s Impression, Sunrise and Rouen cathedral series; Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Luncheon with the Boating Party; and Mary Cassatt’s Little Girl in a Blue Armchair.
Travel writer Barbara Noe Kennedy takes you to visit the sites where this extraordinary artistic movement was born and evolved—even the exact places where well-known paintings were created. Explore seascape and towns in the countryside, before heading to the Paris area to discover more sites related to the history of Impressionism. Maps, photos, videos, and other visuals accompany the journey.
Kennedy worked for 23 years with National Geographic Travel Publishing and served as an expert on National Geographic Expeditions to France and Italy.
Session Information
The Origins of Impressionism in Normandy
Start in charming Honfleur, where it all began, then head off to explore Étretat, whose white cliffs inspired Pissarro, Sisley, and Caillebotte; the seaside towns of Dieppe, Sainte-Adresse, Deauville, and Trouville-sur-Mer; Rouen, made famous by Monet’s cathedral series; Le Havre, where Monet painted Impression, Sunrise and which now has a superb museum and a walking trail that follows the painters’ footsteps and other locales. Hear stories about the artists in each place and visit the precise spots where painters stood to create some of Impressionism’s most enduring works—and which look nearly the same today. The last stop is Giverny, where Monet created and painted his lily pond and lived for 43 years.
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1/2 credit*
Additional Session of the Impressionism's Roots Series
General Information
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1/2 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
