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AS France marks the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death in December, Irish Ferries and Normandy Tourism are inviting Irish holidaymakers to discover the landscapes that inspired some of the world’s most celebrated paintings. Easily accessible via Irish Ferries’ overnight Dublin–Cherbourg crossing, five-day short breaks start from just €499 for two adults travelling with a car and staying in an inside cabin.
To mark Monet’s centenary of his death Irish Ferries and Normandy Tourism have created a self-drive itinerary connecting five of the region’s most significant Monet locations. The route allows travellers to follow in the footsteps of the founder of Impressionism while enjoying a year-long programme of exhibitions, festivals and cultural events celebrating his life and work.
A year of Monet celebrations
2026 marks the centenary of Claude Monet’s death in Giverny on December 5, 1926 and will see more than 100 commemorative events take place across Normandy and the Paris regions. Highlights include a special centenary edition of the Normandy Impressionist Festival, major exhibitions in Giverny, Le Havre and Paris, as well as immersive experiences, cruises, guided walks and cultural trails inspired by the artist’s life and legacy.
Discover the landscapes that inspired Monet
Beyond the events themselves, visitors can experience the places that inspired many of Monet’s most celebrated works, including Water Lilies, Poppies, Rouen Cathedral and Impression, Sunrise. From the flower-filled gardens of Giverny and the historic streets of Rouen to the white cliffs of Étretat and the picturesque harbour of Honfleur, many of these iconic landscapes remain remarkably unchanged today. Better still, they are all within a comfortable drive of Cherbourg, making Normandy an ideal destination for a long weekend or short cultural break by car.
Five Monet-Inspired Destinations to Visit in 2026
Follow Monet’s Normandy: A self-drive itinerary from Cherbourg
Starting just 2 hours and 45 minutes from Cherbourg, this self-drive itinerary takes visitors through five destinations closely associated with Claude Monet’s life and work. Travelling through Normandy’s countryside, coastline and historic towns, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the father of Impressionism while discovering the landscapes that inspired some of his most celebrated masterpieces.
1. Rouen: The cathedral that captivated Monet
Monet painted Rouen Cathedral more than 30 times, capturing the changing effects of light on its Gothic façade. Today, visitors can stand in the same square where Monet created his famous series before exploring the city’s medieval streets and the Musée des Beaux-Arts, home to one of France’s finest Impressionist collections outside Paris. Rouen will also host a packed programme of centenary activities throughout 2026. As part of the 2026 centenary celebrations, Rouen will also host events linked to the Normandy Impressionist Festival and the spectacular Cathédrale de Lumière projections, which transform the cathedral façade with immersive light displays.
Distance from Cherbourg: 256km
Driving time from Cherbourg: Approximately 2hrs 45mins
2. Giverny: Monet’s home and gardens
Just south of Rouen lies Giverny, where Monet lived for more than 40 years. Visitors can explore the artist’s colourful home, wander through the gardens he carefully designed and admire the famous Japanese bridge and water lily pond that inspired his iconic Nymphéas series. Visitors travelling in autumn can also experience special centenary events including Quand le Jour Vacille, Giverny on 10 October, an evening artistic promenade celebrating Monet’s fascination with light and colour, as well as the Journée Normande Impressionniste on October 18, which combines guided visits to key Monet sites.
Distance from Cherbourg: 294km
Driving time from Cherbourg: Approximately 3hrs 55mins
Driving time from Rouen: Approximately 1hr
3. Honfleur: The harbour that inspired a generation
Leaving Giverny, travellers can continue to the picturesque harbour town of Honfleur. Its distinctive light and maritime setting attracted numerous artists, including Monet, while the town played an important role in his artistic development. Visitors can explore the Musée Eugène Boudin and discover La Ferme Saint-Siméon, where many Impressionist painters gathered. Honfleur will also participate in the wider Normandy Impressionist Festival programme, which brings contemporary art installations and cultural events to destinations along the Seine and Normandy coast throughout summer and early autumn 2026.
Distance from Cherbourg: 192km
Driving time from Cherbourg: Approximately 2hrs
Driving time from Giverny: Approximately 1hr 45mins
4. Le Havre: Birthplace of impressionism
Just across the Seine Estuary from Honfleur, Le Havre holds a special place in art history as the inspiration behind Impression, Sunrise, the painting that gave Impressionism its name. The city played an important role in Monet’s early career and continues to celebrate its connection to the artist as part of the wider 2026 centenary programme. Visitors can explore Le Havre’s artistic heritage, discover the city’s museums and galleries, and experience the coastal landscapes that helped shape Monet’s pioneering approach to light and colour.
Distance from Cherbourg: 225km
Driving time from Cherbourg: Approximately 2hrs 33mins
Driving time from Honfleur: Approximately 30mins
5. Étretat: Normandy’s most spectacular cliffs
The final stop is Étretat, where dramatic limestone arches and soaring chalk cliffs inspired around 60 Monet paintings. One of Normandy’s most iconic coastal landscapes, the destination offers spectacular cliff-top walks, the Jardins d’Étretat and the same ever-changing light conditions that captivated the artist more than a century ago. The cliffs also form part of the wider landscapes celebrated during the Monet centenary year, with special themed trails, guided walks and cultural experiences taking place across Normandy until December 2026.
Distance from Cherbourg: 253km
Driving time from Cherbourg: Approximately 2hrs 47mins
Driving time from Le Havre: Approximately 35mins
Travel to Normandy with Irish Ferries
Whether planning a long weekend or an extended touring holiday, Irish Ferries makes it easy to discover Monet’s Normandy. Travellers can travel overnight onboard the magnificent W.B. Yeats on the Dublin – Cherbourg route, before continuing their journey by car to some of the country’s most celebrated cultural attractions.
On board, passengers can add a touch of luxury to their journey by upgrading to a Deluxe Cabin, which includes breakfast in the Lady Gregory a la carte restaurant, as well as access to the Club Class lounge with a complimentary selection of refreshments, snacks, tea/coffees, free WiFi and panoramic views.
A five-day short-break fare with Irish Ferries starts from just €499 for a car and two adults with an inside cabin.
For more information on Monet centenary events and planning a visit to Normandy, visit the Normandy Tourism website here. For additional details on Irish Ferries sailings please visit www.irishferries.com.
