Before the Water Lilies. Monet discovers Giverny, 1883-1890,

To mark the centenary of Claude Monet’s passing, the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny presents an exceptional exhibition dedicated to the artist’s early years in the village, from his arrival in 1883 to the end of 1890, when he became the owner of his house and began designing the now-legendary garden. Entitled Before the Water Lilies. Monet discovers Giverny, 1883-1890, it will take place from March 27th to July 5th, 2026.

These formative years saw Monet immerse himself in his new surroundings: poppies and poplars, willows and winding paths, the hills, and the gentle flow of the Epte and the Seine, all part of a landscape shaped by rain and mist, sunlight and shifting skies.

Bringing back to the very place of their creation the works through which the master of Impressionism made Giverny his own, the exhibition will offer visitors the rare and poetic experience of seeing the landscapes of Giverny through Monet’s eyes, both within the galleries and beyond them.

Kid’s Preview

On Saturday, March 28, 2026, starting at 3 p.m., the Kids’ Preview invites children ages 5–12 to explore the exhibition during a specially tailored tour! After a one-hour guided tour, specially adapted and led by an museum guide, each child will leave with a small creative activity related to the exhibition to do at home. This tour is a time for artistic discovery; it does not include snacks or entertainment. This event is free, limited to 20 people, and requires registration.

Inaugural conferences

Two free conferences, for which registration is required, will be held to mark the opening of the exhibition in the museum auditorium.

• Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.: Monet discovers Giverny: from precarity to glory, by Cyrille Sciama, Director General of the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny and Chief Curator of Heritage. Upon arriving in Giverny in 1883 at the age of 43, Monet discovered a village that would provide him with a lasting home. After years of financial difficulty and the loss of his wife Camille, his move to Giverny marked the beginning of a period of transition: he built a new family life with Alice Hoschedé, experimented with new landscapes, and achieved financial security and international artistic recognition.
• Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.: Monet discovers Giverny: landscapes and journeys, by Marie Delbarre, Research Assistant at the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny. In Giverny, Monet did not simply paint a village; he explored a unique landscape while maintaining connections with the outside world. The train facilitated his travels and shaped his perception of movement and modernity. His artistic exploration of the village took place alongside numerous trips and the development of international friendships, making Giverny a place that was both intimate and open to the world.

Guided tours

For the whole duration of the exhibition Before the Water Lilies. Monet discovers Giverny, 1883-1890, , guided tours are scheduled every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. During the one-hour tour, museum mediators serve as guides, covering both the major themes and the finer details of the works on display.

Students from the École du Louvre on Saturday

Following the success of the 2024 edition, the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny is once again partnering with the École du Louvre to offer a special guided tour of the exhibition galleries Before the Water Lilies. Monet discovers Giverny, 1883-1890, .

To celebrate Monet’s early years in the famous village, ten art history students will be on hand throughout the afternoon of June 13, 2026, to reveal the secrets behind the masterpieces on display. Each student will stand in front of a painting of their choice to share its secrets and answer questions. No reservation is required.

Nuit des musées 2026

On Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. onward, as part of Nuit des musées (Museum Night), admission to the museum will be free, and you can visit the exhibition Before the Water Lilies. Monet discovers Giverny, 1883-1890, until 10 p.m.: a chance to admire nearly thirty works by Claude Monet created shortly after his arrival in the village. Please note that last admission is at 9:30 p.m.

At 6 p.m., there will be a free guided tour of the exhibition; reservations are required, and places are limited to 25.

The museum restaurant and gift shop will also be open.