Claude Monet was born on November 14th, 1840 in Paris. Five years later, he moved with his family to Le Havre, marking an important start in his life. The Normandy region influenced Claude Monet for its paintings. Indeed, it is in Normandy that he discovered the artistic world and had his first painting lessons with Eugene Boudin. He was an inspiration for him and shaped the way he painted: he encouraged him to paint outside.

 Eugene Boudin

Bathing Time in Deauville by Eugène Boudin

For the rest of his life, Claude Monet spent his time painting trying to perfectly represent his outdoor surrounding. The effect of light and water always fascinated him.

In 1859, Monet decided to move back to Paris where he made friend with Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro and Edouard Manet. With these other impressionist painters, he improved and challenged his way of painting.

Le Havre Port Monet

Le Havre port by Monet

The impressionist movement saw daylight only in 1874. Claude Monet, Renoir, Pissarro and other painters came together to form a society of artist. The name of the society was derived from Monet’s painting Impression: Sunrise. The society Impressionists exhibited together until 1886.

 In 1883, Claude Monet moved to the charming town of Giverny where he continued to paint and where he produced one of its most famous series in his Japanese garden: the Water Lilies. He never gave up on his passion and painted in his house in Giverny until he passed away on December 5th, 1926.

Monet in Giverny

Claude Monet in Giverny - ©Fondation Monet

 

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Joel
We highly recommend Emilie’s services. She put together an excellent itinerary. She made all the arrangements and the guides she retained for us where top notch. The B&B accommodations were very good, the hosts were terrific and we enjoyed the other travelers we met at breakfast. We did two table d'hote dinners which were excellent and her …
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This was the best trip to France we have ever been on! It was the second trip that Emilie and Laura at France Just for You set up for us. The first was a trip around Provence, which we loved so much that we asked them to set up our second trip to the Loire Valley, Normandy, and Paris. Both trips were tailored to our interests - food, wine, art …
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Our Travelers’ Photos

Christina & her niece
from Australia
In the Wolves Sanctuary in Guéret
Shirley
from Canada
In lavender fields in Provence
Roberta & Terry
At their B&B near Aix-en-Provence
Theresa & Bill
From the US
Between the vineyards & the lavenders in Provence
Bruce from Australia
Cooking outdoor in Provence, bon appétit !
Ashish, Kaushiki & Kailash
From the US
In Paris, across the Seine river from the Louvre Museum
Phyllis, Gyu & the boys
from Korea
in Nice
Mita & Bip from the US
In Biarritz, Basque Country
Young Nam, Albert & Myoung from the US
In the Dentelles de Montmirail, in Provence
Carolyn & Harry
From Australia
Cycling in the Loire Valley
Jan & Ray
From Australia
In Mont Saint Michel
Naz & Mounir
On a side-car tour in the Loire Valley