Advertorial by Normandy Tourism
Normandy will be entirely dedicated to Impressionism in 2026. Together with the Île‑de‑France region around Paris, Normandy will celebrate a remarkable anniversary until March 2027: in December 2026, it will be exactly one hundred years since the famous Impressionist painter Claude Monet passed away. Throughout the year, you can enjoy an extensive programme of art and culture centred around Monet. In addition, the modern festival Normandie Impressionniste will return from late May to late September.
These are the best places and events for an inspiring journey through this beautiful French coastal region.
Celebrate the Year of Monet in Giverny
For many art lovers, Giverny is the starting point of a trip through Normandy. Claude Monet lived and worked here for more than forty years. In his world‑famous gardens, you can admire the water lilies and the Japanese bridge in real life in 2026. Because of the commemorative year, there will be additional guided tours of his former home and studio. The nearby Musée des Impressionnismes will host special exhibitions on Monet’s influence on later artists.
The Normandie Impressionniste Festival 2026
Between 29 May and 27 September 2026, the sixth edition of the Normandie Impressionniste festival will take place. This major event spreads across the entire region. The theme for this edition is The Garden. Throughout the province, you will find temporary artworks, light shows and musical performances. Museums in cities such as Caen and Le Havre will display masterpieces from international collections. The festival also looks to the future with contemporary installations in historic buildings.
Discover the power of the coast in Etretat and Honfleur
Normandy’s dramatic coastline was a major source of inspiration for painters such as Boudin and Courbet. In Etretat, you can walk along the high chalk cliffs that are so characteristic of the region. The light on the white cliffs and the blue sea changes every hour. Be sure to visit Honfleur as well, with its distinctive wooden church and charming harbour. In the Musée Eugène Boudin, you can see how these masters captured the atmosphere of the sea on canvas.
Musée Malraux in Le Havre
Musée Malraux houses the second‑largest Impressionist collection in France. You will find works by the most important artists of the movement. From 5 June to 27 September 2026, the museum will host a special Monet exhibition. This show offers a fresh perspective on the painter’s youth in Le Havre.
Rouen and the famous cathedral
The city of Rouen plays a central role during the anniversary year. Monet painted the façade of the cathedral at different times of day. In the summer of 2026, you can enjoy a spectacular light show on the façade every evening. The Musée des Beaux‑Arts in Rouen also owns one of the most important Impressionist collections in France. This year, the museum will present a major exhibition dedicated to landscapes.
Practical tips for your visit
Normandy will be a popular destination for culture lovers in 2026. It is wise to book tickets for the gardens of Giverny and the major exhibitions online in advance. With 101 train stations and nearly 2,100 km of cycling routes, you don’t really need a car in Normandy. You can discover a great deal on foot, by bike, or by bus or train. More and more sustainable providers also offer attractive discounts through the CO₂‑reduction scheme — a bonus for visitors who help protect the environment in the region. Looking for peace and quiet between the festivities? Choose accommodation in one of the smaller inland villages. The orchards and half‑timbered houses there look as if they have been lifted straight from a Monet painting.
