102. Impressionist Normandy

Where: Giverny and Honfleur, France
When: July 19 & 21, 2013
With: Dave and family

The dramatic, sweeping coastline of Normandy is not just home to a history full of conquerors and war. Most of the atrocities that occurred here are unfathomable when you look out upon the rolling countryside and beautiful beaches. Therefore, it makes sense that artists who have become household names like Monet, Renoir and Pissaro, used this stunning landscape to inspire a new wave in art: Impressionism.

In the 19th century, paintings were usually created in the confines of a studio, where light and subjects could be controlled by the artist. However, a rogue-group of Parisian artists started to take their easels on a train out into the countryside to try their hand at something new. By painting outdoors, they were able to study the effect that lighting had on the scenery, how it changed the colors and affected their subjects. This sometimes controversial form of art was labelled as Impressionism, after one of Monet's first works in this medium.

Our first stop on this "Impressionist tour" of Normandy was the tiny harbor town of Honfleur. Sitting on the banks of the Seine, this 1,000 year old village spends its day basking in the sun beside a boat-filled harbour. 

The clearly striking aspect of this town on the water are the skinny, colorful houses that seem to be piled on top of each other. Back when they were built, houses were taxed based on their width, not their height, hence the understandable architectural design that followed. Sunlight changed the look of the colors and the water depending on the time of day and the houses' reflections were like a dream come true for the Impressionists. Even in the short amount of time we spent, the view changed considerably.

It continues to be popular among artists, even today. 

This little square on the edge of the harbor continues to be the best spot in town to buy your fish, right off the back of the boat. However, you have to get there early to get the best pick. 

Outdoor cafes line the entire harbor, all serving up French seafood (double amazing culinary combo). We could have sat out there all day taking in the ambience. 

The town behind the harbor is quintessentially medieval, with half-timbered houses and narrow alleyways lined with cobblestone. Tons of art galleries are hidden away in the nooks between wine shops and candy stores. 

Art is understandably present pretty much everywhere you walk on the streets. 

One of the most notable structures in the town is Saint Catherine's Church. Built in the 1400s, this wooden church was crafted using naval techniques, giving the interior the look of an upside-down ship hull.

From certain angles, it looks more like a house than a church. That's because the steeple and the main church actually sit separately, with a plaza between them. 

Honfleur was a beautiful place, but it doesn't ring in the ears of art-lovers as the mecca of Impressionism. That title belongs to the village of Giverny, where the man who started the famous art movement, Claude Monet, built his home. His prized gardens that sit behind his house became the inspiration for many of his paintings. 

It is possible to tour the inside of Monet's home. Filled with brightly colored rooms, original furniture and (not surprisingly) large open windows allowing a huge amount of light in, this house is great, but isn't why people come (though it does look pretty from the outside).

The reason everyone comes here is for his gardens. They are just stunning, and we didn't even see them in full bloom!

The first part of the gardens, closest to the house, are like an explosion of wildflowers (and we all know my obsession with photographing flowers). 

Meandering pathways wandered through beds and beds of flowers growing every which way in an array of colors. 

The second part of the garden is across the road through an underground tunnel. When you cross through and step out onto the other side, you are surprised to find that you are actually standing inside of a painting.   

The Japanese garden is almost completely shaded over by trees. Many of these trees are bamboo, their thin, closely packed trunks allow just enough light to get past. A tiny stream cuts through the green grass, a gentle babbling of water in your ears as it passes. 

Following a path through the gardens, a small bridge takes you over the infamous water lily pond. Weeping willows gracefully hang over countless clusters of lily pads on the still pond. 

A perfectly placed boat sitting still on the edge looked like a staged painting. 

In the distance, you could see the famous Japanese bridge, sitting over the pond. 

It felt like every photo I took was a painting. 

The Impressionists may have loved the lighting from the bridge that day, but they made it difficult to take photos. I did the best I could. 

The view from the bridge though was pretty spectacular. 

The still water reflected the trees so well that you couldn't tell what was real and what was reflection.

Even the bugs buzzing around the flowers seemed more at peace while hanging out in here, posing for their own portrait at each flower. 

This was such a serene and peaceful wander. 

After visiting these spots, I could see how you'd be inspired to paint a masterpiece. I just can't imagine the sensory overload I've have if I was here in full bloom!