As its name might imply, Monet in Paris takes you on an extraordinary journey through the bold brush strokes of revolutionary artist Claud Monet – but what you may not know is that this immersive wonderland is also an homage to the great Impressionist painters of the mid-19th century through to the early 20th century. You’ll have an opportunity to explore the works of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camile Pissarro, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and understand the history and significance of the Impressionist movement amid social and political turbulence.

One step inside the custom-built Le Grand Palais is all encompassing, with the design of the space capturing the fever of Paris in the mid-to-late 1800s. The imposing walls and display of light, colour, sound and fragrance give the illusion of being outside – a nod to the Impressionists’ en plein air style of painting, meaning ‘in the open air’.

Once you have a glass of bubbly in hand (you’re travelling back in time to bohemian France, after all), it’s time to explore. The Absinthe Room is an escape from your reality, as the towering walls of blown-up masterpieces blur your vision (figuratively, of course), making the real and the fantasy indistinguishable. As you ponder each masterpiece, become one with the characteristically wild nature of each painting – a reflection of the ferocity and untamed nature of the artists of the time.

As we know, our mind is a garden, and Monet’s was constantly in bloom. Once you step inside the Wildflower Room, drown the noise in a bed of flowers – 70,00, to be precise – covering the floor and draping across the ceiling. Follow the path unbloomed and frolic amongst the flora in this Monet-inspired space, which pays homage to the artist’s Giverny home garden, which he used as inspiration for later works.

In his lifetime, Monet’s catalogue of more than 2000 paintings and drawings saw over 200 of them dedicated to water lilies, a flower in which he saw as a natural bridge between garden, water and sky. As you step inside the Water Lilies Room, your imagination doesn’t have to stray too far as your being is suddenly submerged in the water lily pond, the luminescent bridge demanding your eye gaze from above.

While residing in his Giverny home, Monet’s green thumb saw him constantly tending to his arbour of lilacs. As you take a wander to the Lilac Corridor, a sea of soft violet will envelop your senses as the dainty flower takes centre-stage, breathing life into all that experience it.

Although he was an artist for all seasons, Monet’s winter works became what the artist was first known for, reflected in The Winter Corridor. The air of a Parisian winter will take over as you peruse the works that behold the artist’s trademark.

Completely immerse yourself in one of the world’s most recognisable artworks in the Bridge Over the Pond Room and experience Monet’s ‘Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge’ painting, 40 times larger than the original. You can wander over the water lily pond across the perfectly arched bridge, as mossy trees hang from above and green shrubbery surrounds you – the perfect opportunity for a ‘gram shot if we ever did see!

While art is certainly a forte of the French, so is wining and dining. Settle in at Le Grand Palais’ bar and cafe, and nosh on charcuterie eats as tipples flow, or opt for a cup of coffee and a buttery French pastry –très magnifique!

This article was written in partnership with our friends at Monet in Paris. To book your tickets, visit the Monet in Paris website.