Chatou is a town of Île-de-France located in the department of Yvelines. The city lies along the Seine, about ten kilometers from Paris and Versailles and its famous castle. It would take its name from Cattavos, a Gallic town. Chatou was indeed the site of a Roman villa in the Gallo-Roman era.
Pleasant and dynamic francilienne city is renowned for its important cultural life, as well as its impressive heritage. His landscapes, manicured and elegant, also the delight of nature lovers and outdoor walkers. Winner of a flower in the competition of cities and villages flowered, it has indeed a large number of green spaces and colorful flowers.
Full of charm, the city of Chatou seduces lovers of history, but also art, thanks to the presence of the famous island of the impressionists that reflects the importance of this artistic movement of the nineteenth century.
Old, the city of Chatou presents an architectural and historical heritage which testifies in particular to these centuries of splendor.
The island of the Impressionists, also called the island of Chatou, is an island located on the Seine between Chatou and Rueil-Malmaison. It takes its name from the fact that it was once frequented by the most famous impressionist painters. It is notably occupied by the impressionist park in which a large number of cultural events take place.
A 13th century building in the Romanesque style, the Notre-Dame church stands on the site of an old wooden church from the 11th century. Inside, you can admire a copy of The Last Supper by Philippe de Champaigne, as well as a very beautiful contemporary Stations of the Cross.
Built in the middle of the 19th century, the Maison Fournaise housed a restaurant which was in its time one of the high places of Impressionism. It is here in particular that Auguste Renoir came to paint his Déjeuner des canotiers. Now a restaurant-museum, the Maison Fournaise has hosted, among others, Guy de Maupassant, Claude Monet and Berthe Morisot. Since 1992, the museum of the Maison Fournaise presents exhibitions around the contemporary artistic movements of the Impressionist era. It also keeps a collection on the history of the house and the golden age of the banks of the Seine.
Listed as a Historic Monument, the Soufflot nymphaeum is a madness used to house a spring in a park. Visible from the Island of the Impressionists, it is an inverted glass and gritstone shell dating from 1777. Edition Art Image, and the water station, a wooden construction which presents boats from the Impressionist era as well as a restaurant overlooking the Seine.
There are many cultural activities that are proposed by the city of Chatou, specifically on the island of the Impressionists.
The Chatou markets are held on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturday mornings.
Twice a year, the city hosts the National antique fair and hams on the island of the Impressionists. The latter brings together more than 800 antique shops and stalls of gourmet specialties.
Several times a year, also has its Chatou Island Festival on the island of the Impressionists. This is a contemporary art festival proposed by the National Edition Image Art Centre.
In September, place Inox Park festival of electronic music. It also takes place on the island of the Impressionists.
