I visited the “Island of the Impressionists.” It’s located in the town of Châteaux, in western Paris—about a 30-minute train ride from central Paris—on an island in the Seine River.
With the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century, this area flourished as a recreational destination for Parisians. Impressionist masters such as Renoir, Monet, and Sisley also gathered in this neighborhood and left behind numerous works.
Back then, it was customary to go boating on the Seine and then have a meal at the restaurant “Maison Fournèze.” Renoir painted his masterpiece *Luncheon of the Boating Party*, which radiates a sense of happiness, at this very restaurant.
With the onset of the 20th century and the rise of industrialization, the island’s popularity as an Impressionist destination waned, and the restaurant closed. However, the city of Châteaux purchased the building, and the restaurant reopened in 1990; a museum opened there two years later. Today, the restaurant is operated by a private company under a management contract; it serves unpretentious French cuisine at reasonable prices.
The museum next to the restaurant was renovated in 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Renoir’s death. It features an interactive tour that departs every 30 minutes; as you move through the various rooms, you’ll watch a video of an actor portraying Renoir as he discusses his life and artistic philosophy. At the end, Alphonsine Fournès, the restaurant’s last proprietress, shares her memories of Renoir and recounts the history of Maison Fournès from its heyday to its closure.
It wasn’t a large museum, but it was very well done. Since there were only two of us—including me—at the session I attended, I was able to take my time and enjoy the tour while imagining what life was like back then.
After leaving the museum, I walked south along the Seine, strolling down a quiet path, and spotted a lovely house on the opposite bank. I walked about 3 km to the town of Bougival, where I found a sign indicating that this was the spot where Monet painted “The Bridge at Bougival.”
While you can see many Impressionist works at museums in Paris, visiting the “Island of the Impressionists” offers a different kind of experience, so if you ever come to Paris, be sure to make a trip there.
© Source travel watch