Claude Monet ( 1840-1926), one of the founding figures of Impressionism, captured the light and poetry of the region's varied landscapes like no other. Although he lived in Normandy and ended his life in Giverny, he also maintained a strong link with the Île-de-France region, painting some of his masterpieces there and leaving traces that can still be seen today, inspired by the surrounding countryside, the banks of the Seine or even the arrival of the train station in Argenteuil.
For Monet, Paris and the surrounding region were both a ground for artistic experimentation and a place for decisive encounters with the great names of his time: Renoir, Manet, Pissarro, Cézanne... It was here that his style was affirmed, that his iconic series were born, and that his work continues to be celebrated, which is why the region still preserves many traces of his passage. Let's take a stroll in his footsteps (or rather, his brushes)!
Argenteuil - Val-d'Oise (95)
Long closed to the public, the house where Claude Monet lived in Argenteuil between 1874 and 1878 has been restored and opened to visitors. Located at 21 boulevard Karl Marx, you can discover an interior recreated in the spirit of the period, with furniture, everyday objects and reproductions of paintings done on site.
It was in this light-filled garden that Monet often set up his easel to paint his famous plein-air scenes. The tour also includes a plunge into the city's artistic effervescence at the end of the XIXᵉ century, when Renoir, Manet and Sisley visited.
Claude Monet's Maison Impressionniste, the museum of the painter's life in Argenteuil
To discover the life of Claude Monet, there's no need to go as far as Giverny, as the Maison Impressionniste de Claude Monet in Argenteuil is home to an immersive museum about the painter. [Read more]
Val d'Oise (95)
After Argenteuil, Monet moved to Vétheuil in 1878, a delightful little village on the banks of the Seine. It was here that he painted the church, the hills and the ever-changing river landscapes. From the opposite bank, the view of the village has remained almost intact, offering the sensation of literally walking in his footsteps.
How about discovering Vétheuil, one of France's most beautiful villages and the inspiration of artist Claude Monet? Located in the French Vexin regional nature park, this is a real treasure trove to be discovered, as you stroll along the banks of the Seine. [Read more]
8th district
In 1877, Monet devoted an entire series to the Gare Saint-Lazare, capturing the steam, light and movement of the trains. Now transformed, the station retains its central role in Parisian life, and its constant bustle still allows us to imagine the effervescent scenes that so inspired him.
On several occasions, he painted the Parc Monceau, capturing the soft light filtered through the foliage. Elegant and refined, this garden remains a place conducive to strolling, with its shady alleys and architectural follies that were already part of its charm at the end of the XIXᵉ century.
Chatou and Bougival - Yvelines (78)
Monet, like other Impressionists, liked to set up his easel on the banks of the Seine, particularly around Chatou and Bougival. The changing reflections of the water, the barges and bridges offered him an infinite variety of subjects. Even today, these banks of the Seine have preserved a bucolic atmosphere reminiscent of his paintings.
A few stations away from Paris, by taking the RER A, make a stopover in the footsteps of the Impressionists in Chatou, for a pleasant stroll along the water. [Read more]
The Musée Marmottan Monet , a veritable showcase dedicated to the painter, houses the world's largest collection of his works, including Impression, soleil levant and the Water Lilies, which can also be seen at the Musée de l'Orangerie, dedicated to Impressionism. The Musée d'Orsay, meanwhile, features some of his most famous canvases painted in the region, including Le déjeuner sur l'herbe, Pont d'Argenteuil and Femmes au jardin.
And if you want to go a little further afield than the Paris region, Giverny, in the Eure region, is a must for understanding the work of this major painter!
Claude Monet in Paris: Where to Discover the Works of the Renowned Impressionist Painter in the Capital?
He is undoubtedly one of France’s most beloved painters: Claude Monet left behind a stunning collection of masterpieces, many of which you can admire in the city’s top museums. Follow the guide! [Read more]
Monet and Time at the Orangerie Museum: An Exhibition Exploring the Moment, the Duration, and the Water Lilies
At the Orangerie Museum, the exhibition "Monet and Time" delves into how Claude Monet captured moments, the passage of time, and the evolving landscape through his series and the Water Lilies cycle, running from September 30, 2026, to March 29, 2027. [Read more]
Monet / Sécheret: a poetic face-off between two lovers of the sea at the Musée Marmottan Monet
The Musée Marmottan Monet presents a unique tête-à-tête between Claude Monet and Jean-Baptiste Sécheret in the exhibition "Monet / Sécheret. Paysages d'eau", an artistic dialogue between Impressionism and contemporary painting, in the heart of Trouville and its changing skies. The exhibition runs from October 9, 2025 to March 15, 2026. [Read more]
Prices
Free
Claude Monet's Maison Impressionniste, the museum of the painter's life in Argenteuil
Vétheuil (95), discover this picturesque village on the banks of the Seine, cradle of Monet's art.
A bucolic walk on the Impressionist Island in Chatou
