From Vernon, an 8km bike ride soon found us at the township of Giverny and the iconic gardens of impressionist, Claude Monet.

Two bits of advice are to pre – purchase tickets online and to ensure you visit on a day when the large river cruise ships aren’t in.

On arrival at their new home, the Monet’s found their tract of sloping landscape covered with an orchard, but wanting something from which he could draw inspiration, being not just an artist, but a knowledgeable horticulturist, Claude Monet sat down and designed his dream garden.

Over the ensuing fifteen years Monet continued adding and the flora grew, creating a dreamscape of non – organised colour that erupted in spring time.

It was a vision that provided much inspiration for the last decade of the painter’s life.

At the base of the first tract of garden landscape, the visitor descends a flight of stairs and enters a tunnel that exits into the water gardens: at the time Monet purchased this block, a rail line and road divided the upper section from the lower.

A decade after settling in the village, Monet purchased a second tract of land: this was to become the crème de la crème of his garden. A small creek tripped its way across this section of landscape and Monet made great use of it as he designed his now famous Japanese water garden.

Waterlilies, bridges, bamboo,

wisteria and more can be found here.

There was a boat

that was used for cleaning.

Despite the signs of Autumn showing elsewhere, the garden is situated and designed in such a way that the flowers were still in full bloom.

Then there was the house.

The art gallery was well worth the visit.

Yes, Bob and I shall return to experience the gardens at varying times of the year.

Interesting facts

  • Monet’s cataract condition resulted in loss of colour perception and distortion of subjects. His later works reflect this.

 

Visit Monet’s Garden

http://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/visitgb.htm

 

Some Good Reads

Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny

Claude Monet Britannica

Monets Garden by Anne Dumas