Impressionism in Paris: a revolution of light

Have you ever crossed a bridge in Paris, or turned a corner in a park after a spring shower, and been seized by the feeling that you were in the middle of something? beauty of light ? The Paris sky is ever-changing, sometimes grey (often), sometimes bright, but always so special that it has inspired poets and painters alike.

If it is a artistic movement that has tried to capture this light, a movement that embodies the soul of Paris and the gentle French way of life, is indeed Impressionism. But did you know that in its early days, this «scandalous» painting horrified the critics of the day, and that these innocent touches of light and colour shook up the Parisian salons?

Chasing the light on the banks of the Seine

In the middle of the nineteenth century, a group of daring young painters - Monet, Renoir, Degas and Pissarro (who were bored stiff at the École des Beaux-Arts) decided to create their own art gallery. leave the dark workshops to paint «on the spot», in other words in the open air. Their aim? To abandon the eternal historical, mythological or religious paintings for a new, simple, happy ambition: to capture the essence of the subject. the present moment, the reflection of the sun on the water, the air of Paris above a street, the evening light, or the movement of the crowd on the main boulevards. In the background life in its freshness.

The Musée d'Orsay: the temple of colour

To understand this revolution, the transition to Musée d'Orsay is well worth a visit. Housed in the majestic vaults of a former railway station, this museum houses the finest impressionist collection in the world. Hurry to the back and go up to 5^e floor. As you wander through the galleries, you'll be immersed in colour and light. You'll be struck by the freedom of the brushstrokes: up close, everything seems blurred, but as you move away, the image vibrates and comes to life.

Strolling in the footsteps of painters

Even today, the spirit of these artists can be felt as you stroll through Montmartre, past the Moulin de la Galette, You can take in the views from the grand Haussmann avenues, or gaze at the reflections of the Seine from the quayside.

Paris is not only the backdrop for their paintings, it is also, so to speak, the setting for their work. the main character their works. It's a city that needs to be viewed at, seen, contemplated.

Take the time to lean against the railing of a bridge and become an Impressionist yourself: look for beauty, Take in the light, the harmony in what you see, and lose yourself in the colour for a few moments. When you leave, you'll take a bit of the Paris sky with you.