Normandie Impressionniste 2024

What better place than Normandy to host an event on Impressionism? Normandy was the birthplace of the Impressionist pictorial movement in the second half of the 19th century.Its landscapes, lush greenery, sea, towpaths, picturesque villages and loops of the Seine seduced many artists, including Claude Monet – who has never heard of his famous cathedrals? -Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley. Wishing to work in the open air and taking advantage of the expanding rail network between Paris and Normandy, a handful of painters fled the capital and its artificial lights. In Normandy, they discovered an enigmatic, ever-changing light: that of the Norman Seine Valley. Rouen soon became a luminous source of inspiration for the masters of this new form of expression. Temporary exhibitions, shows, guinguettes, recitals, concerts and conferences enliven the region’s towns and sites. The general theme of the festivities is different for each edition. See you in 2024 for the 5th edition of the event, from March 22 to September 22 throughout Normandy!

The first edition of this event was marked by a major event, the exhibition “A City for Impressionism: Monet, Gauguin and Pissarro in Rouen” at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen. This brought together a unique group of works from public and private collections, some of which had never before been exhibited in France. Other highlights included the “Monet seen from the sky ” event, where 1,250 volunteers recreated a giant Monet painting, and Arne Quinze’s “Camille ” on the Boieldieu Bridge. Along with the Armada, Normandie Impressionniste is a not-to-be-missed event for residents of Rouen, the Normandy region and tourists visiting the city.

On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Impressionism, this 2024 edition will reflect the spirit of invention characteristic of this revolutionary artistic movement which, since its emergence, has crossed generations and borders. Through an artistic commitment that transcends all disciplines, the festival offers unique moments that are both accessible and ambitious. Its uniqueness lies in its investment in public spaces, be they famous or lesser-known sites of Normandy’s heritage, historic and industrial sites, natural environments or sports fields. This diverse presence helps forge a distinctive identity for the festival. The festival’s itinerary aims to trace the emergence of an artistic movement and explore its contemporary legacy through 150 events in the 5 departments of Normandy, most of them free of charge. In this way, it seeks to highlight current artistic innovations while offering an enriching cultural experience.

For this 5th edition, the festival invites the world to celebrate 150 years of Impressionism with 150 cultural, artistic and gastronomic events. International contemporary artists will be represented throughout Normandy, including David Hockney, Robert Wilson, Whistler and Sean Scully. For the full program, visit www.normandie-impressionniste.fr Here’s our selection of highlights by category: