Pass By: Giverny, Giverny, Eure, Haute-Normandie, Normandy
See Giverny and live Impressionism…. As you tour this village and its surrounding area, you will experience the same sensations that inspired Claude Monet: landscapes whose appearance alters with the changing of the light and wind, explosions of colours, cascades of flowers, endless reflections of the light.
Visit: Fondation Claude Monet, 84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny France
Monet settled in Giverny in 1883. He untiringly transformed an abandoned domaine into a floral masterpiece, to be the inspiration for many of his greatest works of art. Monet was not only a painter of his own garden but also an artist whose painting trips took him away for lengthy periods of time. However, he was never really far from his garden .
The garden itself comprises a flower garden in front of the house and the more famous water gardens across the road. Monet began work on the water gardens about 10 years after arriving in Giverny. Interestingly locals were originally opposed to his plans to build water gardens, fearful that the strange plants would poison the water of the tributary feeding the ponds. The flower gardens cover about a hectare and are laid out in color-themed borders. There are literally thousands of flowers in these gardens including masses of tulips, irises, oriental poppies and peonies, all with the wonderful colors that inspired Monet's paintings.
The water gardens have a Japanese theme and include a replica of the Japanese bridge which featured in Monet's well-known painting. In addition to the gardens you’ll be able to visit Monet’s lovely and very colorful house.
Duration: 4 hours