Woman painting on a canvas on the banks of the Seine
Chemin des Impressionnistes in Port-Marly
The banks of Port-MarlySeveral themed trails, the Impressionist trails invite you to follow in the footsteps of the painters and admire today’s landscapes in the light of the colours of the past. You’ll see, on these bucolic paths, most of which are closed to traffic, nothing seems to have changed. The same lights reflect on the waves, the willows continue to offer their beneficial shade and the little pontoons are still there.
At Chatou, you can admire a reproduction of Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s famous “Déjeuner des canotiers”. If you look up at the balcony of the Fournaise restaurant, then notice the details of its façade, it’s easy to imagine the atmosphere that must have reigned here at the end of the 19th century, when Parisians, men of letters and artists would come to enjoy the table and then hire a boat to indulge in the joys of canoeing! Today, there’s a gentle tranquillity and such lovely light that it almost makes you want to linger and capture the moment! (IDEA: brush and leaf dispenser)
The Fournaise house on the Île des Impressionnistes in ChatouOur steps then lead us towards other reproductions and the landscapes are adorned with touches of green, blue and ochre paint. We continue towards Croissy-sur-Seine, where the reproductions evoke the series of paintings by Monet and Renoir depicting the Grenouillère baths. Here, the landscapes are the only reminders of the hustle and bustle that marked the area at the end of the 19th century, but if you go up the few steps towards the park, you’ll notice that a joyful atmosphere now reigns in these spaces dedicated to families.
Oti Sgbs Jda7345The Impressionist Trail routes are between 1 and 3 km long, so they’re easily accessible for families. We recommend complementing them with a cultural visit or a gourmet break!
