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

 

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Our Travelers’ Photos

Karen & Tony
From Australia
In Villandry Gardens, in the Loire Valley
Karen, Theresa, Mike & Bill
From the US
Dinner with view...
The Loo Family
From Malaysia
At the breakfast table in the Loire Valley
Carol from the US
Biking in the Luberon
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from Canada
In Honfleur, Normandy
Georgia & Matt from Australia
Cooking fresh stawberries from Carpentras in Provence
Frederick
from Canada
Enjoying some cheese
Kathie, Brian, Joan & Richard
from the US
In Monet's gardens in Giverny
Trea & Anna
From the US
In a little town in Provence
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Having breakfast on their private terrace near Aix en Provence
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In front of the Louvre pyramid in Paris
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Enjoying a croissant at the B&B in Burgundy