France 2026: The Year of Monet, and Why Now Is the Time to Go

If France has been on your list for years but life keeps getting in the way, 2026 just gave you the best reason yet to finally make it happen.

This year marks the centenary of the death of Claude Monet, and France is celebrating in a way that will not be repeated in our lifetimes. Over 100 events are planned across Normandy and the Paris Region, from the gardens of Giverny to the iconic Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris. Exhibitions, festivals, cultural tours, and immersive experiences are drawing visitors from around the world to experience Monet's France in an entirely new way.

For busy professionals, this is exactly the kind of trip that is worth doing right. Not a rushed long weekend, but a thoughtfully planned journey that lets you actually experience what you came for.

Here is what is happening and when.

GIVERNY: BEFORE THE WATER LILIES

March 27 to July 5, 2026

The Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny is presenting a rare exhibition devoted to Monet's earliest years in the village, before the famous water garden even existed. Around thirty works are being brought back to the very sites where they were created. It is art and landscape in direct conversation, and it is unlike anything you can see anywhere else.

NORMANDY IMPRESSIONIST FESTIVAL

May 29 to September 27, 2026

Spanning Giverny, Vernon, Rouen, Honfleur, Le Havre and the banks of the Seine, this festival brings together over 60 contemporary artistic projects dedicated to Monet's legacy. Visual arts, music, film, and dance from international artists across the globe. This is not a museum experience, it is a living celebration.

PARIS: MONET AND TIME AT THE MUSÉE DE L'ORANGERIE

September 30, 2026 to March 2027

The Orangerie is one of those rare places that stops you in your tracks. The monumental Water Lilies rooms are unlike anything else in the world. This autumn exhibition examines Monet's lifelong relationship with time, from the Rouen Cathedral series to his final masterworks. For anyone who has ever wanted to experience Paris beyond the surface, this is the moment.

WHY THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT

Most people who love the idea of France never quite get around to going. There is always something else, a busy season at work, a family commitment, a reason to wait until next year.

But 2026 is genuinely different. The centenary of Monet's passing is a cultural moment that France has been preparing for years. The exhibitions, the access, the energy around this anniversary will not come around again.

And the reality is, a well planned trip to France does not have to be complicated or time consuming to organize. That is exactly what a travel specialist is for.

LET SOMEONE ELSE HANDLE THE DETAILS

I am Nancy Donelon, owner of Equinox Travel, a European luxury travel specialist based in Monroe Township. I have personally visited Giverny and the Orangerie, and I have been planning European journeys for clients for years. I handle everything, from flights and hotels to private transfers, skip the line access, and restaurant reservations, so that when you arrive, your only job is to enjoy every single moment.

If 2026 is the year you finally make it to France, I would love to help you do it right.

Contact me at nancy.equinoxtravel@gmail.com or visit www.equinoxtravelus.com

Nancy Donelon

Equinox Travel

Luxury Travel Specialist

Monroe Township, NJ