The Impressionists in Paris – In the Footsteps of the Artists
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Chateau d'Auvers, Paris, France - Impressionist Exhibition
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Chateau d'Auvers, Paris, France
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Chateau d'Auvers, Paris, France - Impressionist Exhibition
Paris – The Home of Impressionism
In the late 19th century a new art movement began in Paris. This was a time of change for the city and a group of artists carried this change into the world of art with a new style – Impressionism. Characterised by small, thin yet visible brush strokes, the style usually featured very ordinary subject matter. Furthermore, the artists now paid close attention to natural light in their works. Using a number of skills, the Impressionists made the beautiful colours of their paintings even more vivid. These artists used the city’s famous scenery – the mighty River Seine, Haussman’s new grand boulevards and its booming industrial architecture as their inspiration. They also ventured out of Paris, to the stunning countryside that surrounded the city, something which they all loved to paint.
An artistic style that shocked
Nowadays, the masterpieces created by the Impressionists are famous all over the world, but this wasn’t always the case. The artists’ names – Monet, Renoir, Rodin and Degas and Caillebotte – to name but a few are well-known and are regarded in the highest esteem. Their works are recognised globally, but these revolutionary artists were once considered shocking and bold.
Decades later, Paris now houses some of the world’s finest collections of work by these artists. Discover world class museums, full of their famous art – such as the Musée d’Orsay and the Orangerie. You can also visit the houses lived in by painters as well as follow in the artist’s footsteps and venture into the nearby countryside. Auvers-sur-Oise lies just to the north and was a favourite spot for the painters to escape the city. Here you can spot the famous scenery that features in many paintings and discover even more at the splendid Château d’Auvers. To the south of the city, visit the Propriété Caillebotte, the painter’s beautiful house and garden oasis.
Dates
Dates throughout 2024
Suggested itinerary by coach
Day 1
Welcome to Paris
Travel from your local area to Dover for your ferry crossing to Calais. From there, continue through France to the beautiful city of Paris. If time permits, begin exploring the local area.
Day 2
Start your Impressionist journey
Start the day with a guided tour of Paris to really set the scene and begin discovering the Impressionist movement and the artists that are famously associated with it. Drive down the streets where artists such as Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas once walked. See if you can spot any of the scenery that features in their famous paintings. You will also get the chance to see iconic Parisian landmarks in all their glory, the Eiffel Tower, the Sacré-Coeur and the Arc de Triomphe to name just a few.
The afternoon is spent exploring the Musée d’Orsay. Housed in what was once a train station, this fascinating museum is brimming with Impressionist artwork. A great number of the world’s most renowned Impressionist painters have their works on display in this beautiful building. Whether you’re an Impressionist expert or a beginner with the desire to learn more, this museum is the ideal place to start.
Day 3
A day at Propriété Caillebotte
Located just to the south of Paris in the pretty town of Yerres, lies the house where Gustave Caillebotte created many of his masterpieces. The Propriété Caillebotte is an impressive property surrounded by gorgeous gardens, that in the late 1800s was the actual home of the Caillebotte family. Nowadays the house has been restored to what it would have looked like in Gustave’s time and features both permanent and temporary art exhibitions, including of course a number of the artist’s own work.
Although not always recognised by name, Gustave Caillebotte’s paintings are certainly recognisable. And due to his financial help for other painters, he was one of the most important Impressionist figures. At his recently refurbished former home, not only can you discover numerous engaging paintings, you can also explore the house, outbuildings and gardens to get a real sense of how the painter lived.
Day 4
Discover Auvers-sur-Oise
Today we head north of Paris to the town of Auvers-sur-Oise. Popular with many of the Impressionist artists thanks to the vast wheat fields and legendary church, Auvers is a hidden gem where many artists went to paint in the peaceful tranquillity this town offered. Here you are sure to recognise the subjects of many of the most famous impressionist paintings.
So important was Auvers, that the intriguing and interactive Impressionist exhibition ‘Vision Impressioniste’ is found here, at the Château d’Auvers. This exhibition allows you to completely immerse yourself the world of the Impressionists and see what inspired them to create such magnificent work.
In the afternoon there are a number of options for you to continue on your Impressionist journey. Stay in the Auvers area and head to the Van Gogh Museum or the Pissarro Museum. Or you could travel back into Paris and spend the afternoon getting lost in Musée de l’Orangerie or the Musée Rodin, examples of the many museums that the city has dedicated to the Impressionists.
Day 5
Departure
Today commence your journey to Calais for your ferry crossing back to the UK.
Additional days
Giverny, Rouen or Honfleur
Add to your tour with an excursion to the home of Monet in Giverny. Discover the beautiful gardens he created, the basis of his renowned Waterlily paintings. Nearby Rouen, on the banks of the Seine was a favourite haunt of many of the painters. The soaring cathedral’s facade was depicted by Monet and others, and offers visitors much to discover. The port town of Honfleur, at the mouth of the Seine, was a firm favourite. The painters were amazed by the way the light reflected off the water and the reflections of the boats in port.
Suggested Hotels
Ibis Paris 17 Clichy-Batignolles ***
Located on the northern side of Paris, this hotel is located in the heart of the new Batignolles-Montmartre eco district in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. Close to Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur, the hotel has 3 on-site restaurants, a bar, 24-hour reception, WiFi, and air-conditioned. Also houses a swimming pool and fitness centre (payable locally). A 2min walk to Brochant metro stop, offering direct access to the Champs-Élysées and Place de Clichy. The hotel has a large, secure underground coach parking garage, with dedicated groups arrival desk, payable at €69 per 24hrs – space subject to availabilty.
Ibis Paris Porte de Bagnolet ***
Located on the eastern side of Paris, with excellent motorway access and just 2min walk to Gallieni metro stop, sharing the same building, the 3 star ibis and 2 star ibis Budget hotels have an on-site restaurant, free Wi-Fi and free on-site coach parking. The ibis Hotel has boasts 162 rooms, and serves the ‘new concept ibis breakfast. The 230 bright and spacious rooms at the ibis Budget Hotel offer a great inexpensive option for days out exploring. Coach parking available nearby.
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| 2024 dates | Price on request | Price on request |
