100 Years of Claude Monet (1840 – 1926): Masterpieces, Houses and Landscapes

This year, France is dedicated to Claude Monet, who passed away a hundred years ago. In Normandy and the Paris region, where Impressionism originated, an immersive route has been mapped out through the still-unspoiled landscapes that so inspired the painter, passing by artists' homes and remarkable museums. At the Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny, the exhibition 'Avant les nymphéas. Monet découvre Giverny, 1883-1890' looks back on the artist's early years in the Norman village where he painted his famous Water Lilies series, starting March 27. Stroll through Paris and admire the canvases of the great master time and again at the Musée de l'Orangerie, the Musée Marmottan, and the Musée d'Orsay. A great combination with a holiday to Normandy and the Paris region!

Claude Monet 2026: 100 years of legacy

In 2026, we commemorate the centenary of the death of Claude Monet on December 5, 1926, in Giverny. A true icon of modern art, Monet painted more than 2000 works that, nearly a century later, still travel the world and enchant the public. From *Impression, Sunrise*—the painting from which Impressionism derives its name—to the series on the Rouen Cathedral and the legendary *Water Lilies*, Monet’s masterpieces are inextricably linked to the landscapes of Normandy and the Paris region. To mark this centenary, these two regions are presenting an exceptional program of events throughout the year. The celebration offers the opportunity to (re)discover Monet’s works, his homes, and the landscapes that inspired him—from Paris to the Normandy coast, via picturesque towns, enchanting gardens, and the sun-drenched banks of the Seine.

 

In Monet's footsteps, 100 years later…

Claude Monet, born in Paris in 1840, found his first inspiration in Normandy. In Le Havre, under the guidance of Eugène Boudin, he discovered outdoor painting and the richness of the region's ever-changing coastal light. In 1859, he returned to Paris to begin his career. In search of new motifs and a more affordable place to live, he left the French capital in 1871 for nearby villages. In Argenteuil, Vétheuil, and Bougival, he captured the rhythms of modern life along the Seine.

From 1883, Monet settled permanently in Giverny, where he created his ultimate masterpiece: an iconic garden that was immortalized in the series. Water liliesFrom this picturesque Norman village, he continued his artistic explorations in Rouen, on the cliffs of Étretat, and around Dieppe.

 

A year full of important events

In honor of Monet’s legacy, Normandy and the Paris region will host more than 100 events between March and December 2026. Major temporary exhibitions will be held in Impressionist museums in both regions. Special tours, river cruises, concerts, lectures, and outdoor culinary events will celebrate Monet’s lasting influence. Highlights are already planned in Giverny, Vernon, Rouen, Honfleur, Le Havre, Paris, and along the Seine.

 

March 27 – July 5, 2026

This major exhibition, titled 'Before the Water Lilies: Monet Discovers Giverny', is taking place at the Musée des Impressionnismes in Giverny and displays works from the period 1883–1890, when the painter rented the famous house with green shutters and pink stucco but did not yet own it.

 

June 15 – September 27, 2026

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the artist's death, the MuMa in Le Havre proudly presents the exhibition 'Monet in Le Havre', on view throughout the summer of 2026. This exhibition highlights Monet's years in the city, from 1845 (when his family moved to the port) to 1874, the year of the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris.

 

Monet's garden redesigned

The 2026 edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival is dedicated to Monet's garden in GivernyThis garden, designed as an authentic work of art, marked the artist's transition to abstraction and became a turning point in modern art history. From June through September, some 50 contemporary art projects by international artists will reinterpret the garden's theme from a modern perspective.

 

Masterpieces, houses and landscapes…

In addition to these exceptional events, the centenary also offers the opportunity to admire Monet's masterpieces in the prestigious Parisian collections of the Musée d'Orsay, the Musée de l'Orangerie, the Musée Marmottan Monet, and in many museums in Normandy (Rouen, Le Havre, Giverny, Honfleur).

To enrich the experience, visitors can step into the painting by exploring the landscapes that inspired Monet: the cliffs of Étretat, the Cathedral of Rouen, the ports of Honfleur and Le Havre, and, of course, the gardens of Giverny—true living canvases. The houses where Monet lived, in Argenteuil, Vétheuil, and Giverny, offer a unique glimpse into the painter's private life.

 

<strong> More info: </strong>

100 Years of Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) – Masterpieces, Houses and Landscapes:

https://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/temps-fort/monet-2026-centenaire/

Monet's Coast The discovery of Étretat, March 19 to July 5, 2026:

https://www.staedelmuseum.de/de/monets-kueste

Masterpieces from Le Havre (Renoir, Monet, Dufy, Matisse ea) from 20 May to 13 September 2026:

https://www.singerlaren.nl/nl/agenda/meesterwerken-uit-le-havre-4k1t