See The Worlds Most Iconic Paintings Come To Life In These Places

Standing in front of any of the great works by Monet, Van Gogh or Picasso, it isn't easy to not get enchanted&ndasheven when you're standing in a museum with people waiting for you to move on to the next. Although it has been centuries since these great works were produced, each stroke feels alive, and the colours continue to dazzle. 

If a glance at any of the iconic works by the revolutionary artists compels you to ponder, 'what would it be like to see this in real', then visiting these real-life locations that inspired most of their paintings is the only way to know 

The Starry Night Over The Rhone By Van Gogh

Whether you know much about art or not, you would know about Van Gogh's The Starry Night Over Rh&ocircne. This iconic and widely acclaimed work by Gogh dates back to 1889. On a September night, just before sunrise, sitting by the window in Saint-Paul-de-Mausole asylum, Gogh brought what he saw to the canvas. Although the illuminating yellow stars and velvety blue sky is most of Gogh's imagination, the view from the banks of the Rh&ocircne river in Arles, France, is just as stunning. 

Au Lapin Agile By Pablo Picasso

Nobody can escape being smitten by the romantic charm of Paris, not even Pablo Picasso. After spending much of his early years in Barcelona, he moved there and decided to devote much of his art to capturing the city's allure, especially his neighbourhood Montmartre. 

One of Picasso's iconic paintings gives us a glimpse into a magical evening spent in Montmartre's bohemian bar, Cabaret Au Lapin Agile. You, too, can experience the intoxicating experience that is so palpable in his painting. A better idea would be to enjoy your time here just like Picasso did&ndash with your closest friends and a bottle of fine red wine. 

The Water Lilies Series By Monet 

In Giverny, France, the view of the pond right behind Monet's house is just as pristine as his 250 oil paintings. Delicate water lilies still cover the emerald green water, as the gardeners take special care of the space to ensure its beauty, like Monet captured, is preserved. 

It is so well taken care of that it'd be challenging to discern significant differences from what's on canvas. If you wish to step into Monet's private world, the best way would be to visit his home and the garden, which stays open to visitors from April to November. 

Cafe La Nuit, aka Cafe Terrace At Night, By Van Gogh

Van Gogh's love story with the enigmatic city of Arles is visible in a lot of his celebrated works. One such work is Gogh's famous oil painting from 1888 that immortalised a sultry September evening in one of the cafes named Cafe La Nuit. 

Spending an evening in this cafe makes it easier to understand Gogh's description of his painting to his sister&ndash"there are little figures of people drinking. A huge yellow lantern lights the terrace, the fa&ccedilade, the pavement, and even projects light over the cobblestones of the street, which takes on a violet-pink tinge." 

Impression, Sunrise By Monet 

Monet's painting of the port of Le Havre isn't just a seminal work in his career but the art world too. This painting, which dates back to 1872, introduced Impressionism (an art style characterised by small, thin brushstrokes to capture the essence of an ever-shifting moment) to the world. 

Made famous by his artistic reimagination, the port at Le Havre in Normandy has become a landmark venue, earning the coastal city the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although it has changed significantly since Monet's time, it still exhibits an awe-inspiring view.