Excursion Monet's palette through colors & tastes tour at Rouen

Normandy has long been a mecca for painters. Impressionism was born here, with Claude Monet’s painting of Le Havre’s port – titled Impression Soleil Levant – giving rise to both the movement and its name. Your immersion into the era begins with a brief drive to historic central Rouen for a guided 75-minute walk that captures the essence of this “Capital City of Impressionism,” famed for stirring the souls of revered writers and artists alike. Arrayed along the Seine River, this is an ancient city whose flamboyant architecture remains deeply inspiring to this day. Feel the character yourself as you walk along narrow streets lined with hundreds of timber-framed houses. And, of course, stop to admire the intricate Gothic majesty of the 12^th-century Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, a landmark portrayed by Monet in over 30 canvases.

To enhance your Impressionist experience, a special lunch at La Couronne is next on the day’s menu. This iconic establishment, founded in 1345, is France’s oldest inn and has hosted heads of state and innumerable gastronomes, artists, and other notables over the centuries. Today is your turn as you spend the next hour and a half savoring a repast inspired directly from Claude Monet’s cookbooks.

A scenic 75-minute drive across the French countryside to the village of Giverny follows. Your goal is the Monet Estate, the house and gardens formerly owned by the artist, now a museum. During your two-hour visit, you can explore the stunningly colorful flower gardens, replanted according to Monet’s original designs. Also here are the water garden and Japanese footbridge immortalized in painting after painting. Monet’s home offers its own timeless pleasures. The pink and green exterior gives way to an interior showcasing Japanese prints, a dining room adorned in yellow wooden furniture, the artist’s bedroom and “blue” reading room, and a kitchen clad in attractively decorated wall tiles.

A 1.5-hour drive back to the pier concludes this adventure in Impressionism

Points of interests

Points of Interest: walking tour of Rouen, art-inspired lunch at La Couronne inn, tour of Monet’s House and gardens in Giverny

Note

Please note: This moderate excursion includes about 3.1 mi / 5 km of walking, including over cobblestone streets in Rouen and uneven natural surfaces in Monet’s Gardens. Stairways must be navigated in Monet’s house and at the restaurant. The excursion is not recommended for those who utilize a wheelchair or have limited mobility. Recommended minimum age for accompanying children is 12 years old. Wear comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring your preferred sun protection. Special dietary needs may be accommodated with 24-hour advance notice. The order of sights and activities may vary.