Made famous by the likes of Claude Monet and Georges Braque, Argenteuil is a riverfront commune north-west of Paris. It was originally founded in the 7th century around a convent, which was destroyed during the French Revolution, and later became a rural escape for Parisian-based artists.
Things to do in Argenteuil
Delve into the local history at the Musee Sauvage, which occupies an 18th-century hospital building. In addition to its exhibitions about rural life in the area, it also details Argenteuil’s history of wine production and industrial manufacturing. Personal objects and posters of French actor Roland Toutain are on display, alongside flags and weapons from Argenteuil’s resistance movements.
Nearby is the Maison Impressionniste Claude Monet Argenteuil, which is housed within a Swiss Chalet-style villa once occupied by the celebrated artist and his family. It was here that he painted some of his most well-known masterpieces, including “Red Boats at Argenteuil”. Stroll through the winter garden and learn about life in Argenteuil during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Argenteuil is a convenient base for exploring the sights of Paris, including the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. Be awed by the century-spanning artwork in the Louvre Museum and admire the monumental Musee D’Orsay before getting lost in the bohemian streets of Montmartre. On the western outskirts of the city is one of the world’s most opulent palaces, Versailles, with its lavishly decorated apartments and formal gardens.
Getting around Argenteuil
Argenteuil is around 35 minutes’ drive from the centre of Paris and 30 minutes from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Val d’Argenteuil and buses travel throughout the commune, connecting most of its attractions.