2026 marks the centennial of Claude Monet’s passing on 5 December 1926 in Giverny. A true icon of modern art, Monet painted more than 2,000 works that continue to travel the world and captivate audiences nearly a century later. From Impression, Sunrise – the painting that gave Impressionism its name — to the Rouen Cathedral series, and the legendary Water Lilies, Monet’s masterpieces are inseparable from the landscapes of Normandy and the Paris Region. To commemorate this centennial, these two regions will present 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, through picturesque towns, enchanting gardens, and the light-filled banks of the Seine.
In Monet’s footsteps, 100 years later…
Born in Paris in 1840, Claude Monet found his first source of 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 lights. In 1859, he returned to Paris to begin his career. Seeking new motifs and more affordable places 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 River Seine.
From 1883 onward, Monet settled permanently in Giverny, where he created his ultimate masterpiece: a garden that became iconic, immortalized in the Water Lilies series. From this picturesque Norman village, he continued his artistic explorations in Rouen, on the cliffs of Étretat, and around Dieppe.
A year of major events
In tribute to Monet’s legacy, Normandy and the Paris Region will host over 100 events between March and December 2026. Major temporary exhibitions will be staged in Impressionist museums across both regions. Unusual tours, river cruises, concerts, lectures, and open-air culinary events will celebrate Monet’s enduring influence. Highlights are already planned in Giverny, Vernon, Rouen, Honfleur, Le Havre, Paris, and along the River Seine.
27 March > 5 July 2026
Entitled ‘Before the Water Lilies. Monet discovers Giverny ’, this major exhibition will take place at the Musée des Impressionnismes in Giverny and will feature works from the 1883-1890 pediod, when the painter rented the famous house with green shutters and pink plasterwork but did not yet own it.
15 June > 27 September 2026
To mark the 100th anniversary of the artist’s death, the MuMa in Le Havre is proud to present an exhibition entitled ‘Monet in Le Havre’ throughout the summer of 2026. This exhibition will focus on 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.
5 December 2026
The Musée des Impressionnismes will organise a tribute at Monet’s grave in Giverny. It will be a moment to celebrate the timeless beauty of his art and to reflect on how his vision transformed the way we see light, nature, and emotion in painting.
Reimagining Monet’s garden
The 2026 edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival will be dedicated to the theme of Monet’s garden in Giverny. Conceived as a genuine work of art, the garden marked the artist’s transition toward abstraction and became a turning point in modern art history. From June through September, around 50 contemporary art projects by international artists will reinterpret the theme of the garden through a modern lens.
Masterpieces, homes and landscapes…
Beyond these exceptional events, the centennial will also be an 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, as well as in many of Normandy’s museums (Rouen, Le Havre, Giverny, Honfleur…).
To extend the experience, visitors can “step inside the painting” by exploring the landscapes that inspired Monet: the cliffs of Étretat, Rouen Cathedral, 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.
A living legacy…
From Normandy to Paris and the Paris Region, Monet 2026 will demonstrate how Claude Monet’s legacy remains universal and continues to inspire both the public and contemporary artists, 100 years after his passing.
Find out more on the official Impressionist Adventures website
