Festival Normandie Impressionniste 2024

150 events in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the impressionist movement.

What happened before the first Impressionist exhibition in 1874? What lies ahead for Impressionism? The 2024 edition of the Festival Normandie Impressionniste offers an expanded narrative through an exceptional program enriched by priceless contributions from the Musée d’Orsay.

From Caen to Rouen, Giverny to Le Havre, L’Aigle to Cherbourg, Trouville to Yvetot… Festival Normandie Impressionniste is set to make waves throughout the region in celebration of the 150 years of Impressionism from March 22 to September 22, 2024, with an exciting program. 150 cultural events (50% contemporary and 50% classical) featuring over 100 internationally acclaimed artists and companies will celebrate the spirit of artistic innovation through multidisciplinary projects.

Whether held within Normandy’s major cultural institutions or at unique venues like abandoned spaces, ice rinks, factories, ports, the festival pride itself on being inclusive, ambitious, and generous in its offerings to diverse audiences.

The journey proposed by the festival will seek to show how this artistic movement was born, exploring the inspiration behind light and nature, particularly maritime landscapes, but also the role of photography, the vital openness to the world with the influence of Japan, and, of course, the Industrial Revolution—examined through the lens of contemporary environmental concerns.

In a daring move towards contemporary resonance, some celebrities are invited to reflect on the Impressionist legacy. David Hockney returns to canvas painting with a unique collection echoing Impressionist masterpieces at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen (opening the festival with free access). Simultaneously, the legendary American stage director Robert Wilson promises a new, unexpected experience with a monumental audiovisual installation on the facade of the Rouen Cathedral, tracing the footsteps of Claude Monet. These historic events are just a glimpse of what’s to come!

With the 150 Flavours of Impressionism operation, the festival Normandie Impressionniste 2024 also aims to promote gastronomy with menus inspired by the creativity of painters on the tables of many Norman restaurants.