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Anyone who is heading to Normandy this summer will enjoy the many events which have been organised to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Impressionism.
It was on April 15, 1874, that an exhibition at the studio of photographer Nadar showcased a selection of works by 30 artists. Among them was Monet’s Impression soleil levant, which inspired art critic Louis Leroy to nickname them the Impressionists. The rest, as they say, is history.
Any self-respecting art lover will, of course, know that gastronomy is woven into the very DNA of Impressionism. Think Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party or Monet’s Luncheon on the Grass – and that’s just for starters.
So while you’re on the trail of Impressionism, be sure to visit some of the restaurants which were immortalised by artists, where you can enjoy fantastic cuisine in historical settings and feel as though you are stepping right into an Impressionist painting.
Maison Fournaise in Chatou, for instance, vividly resurrects the golden era of guinguettes. Helmed by chef Stéphane d’Aboville, who has worked for the likes of Yannick Alléno and Éric Fréchon, the menu offers a modern take on traditional dishes, highlighting seasonal, local produce.
If you want to dine in the footsteps of Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley and Vincent van Gogh, then head to Paris and shake out your napkin at La Bonne Franquette in Montmartre, which serves traditional cuisine washed down with an extensive wine list in a convivial setting. Its motto – aimer, manger, boire et chanter – tells you all you need to know. It was here in 1886 that Van Gogh, who lived nearby at 54 rue Lepic with his brother, Theo, painted La Guinguette, which is now part of the Musée d’Orsay collection.
Meanwhile, the Auberge Ravoux, in Auvers-sur-Oise, was the last place Vincent Van Gogh called home before his death on July 29, 1890. Today this popular inn, which dates back to 1876, really comes alive during mealtimes, evoking the atmosphere of late 19th-century French cafés, with its wine racks, oak tables, red and white linen and vintage zinc bar. It declares on its website: “Van Gogh had his table at the back of the room. Later, Malraux took his by the window. Today, lovers of art and gastronomy, famous or anonymous, meet there for the love of taste and culture. At the Auberge, we appreciate simple people and we put up with complicated minds.” Diners can share classic fare such as platters of charcuterie and cheese, pastries, wine or, if you prefer, artisanal fruit juice or a carefully curated selection of teas.
More authentic pleasures await in Giverny, home to Monet for 40 years, at the Hotel Baudy, which once hosted lively evenings with the likes of Renoir, Sisley, Pissarro and Cézanne. Today, it is a welcoming restaurant and the perfect spot for a bite to eat after a visit to Claude Monet’s House and the Musée des Impressionnismes, both just five minutes away. Dine on classic French cuisine in the traditional dining room or on the shaded terrace and then visit the 1887 artist’s studio in the garden, which has been preserved in its original state.
And last but not least, in picturesque Honfleur, La Ferme Saint-Siméon was once a farmhouse inn that brought together Eugène Boudin, Gustave Courbet, Claude Monet and many other artists. Now a 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, head to its Les Impressionnistes restaurant to enjoy elegant cuisine that highlights local produce created by executive chef Matthieu Pouleur and soak up the historical setting amidst the apple orchards.
