Monet's Garden at Giverny
The Impressionist painter.
Claude Monet, lived at Givernv for 43 years, from 1883. He first saw it
from the window of a train, and fell in love. Though the world may
consider Monet to be the grand master of Impressionism, he thought these
beautifully crafted gardens that run down to the River Epte were his true
masterpiece.
The house itself is long and low, painted pink with green shutters and
steps. Inside it is decorated exactly as it was when Monet lived here,
along with his mistress. whom he later married, and eight children.
Although none of his originals are here, his wonderful collection of
Japanese prints still hangs on the walls.
Gravel paths lead from one part of the garden to the next. At every turn
a slightly different view is offered, and the light changes, too, not
only because of the weather and the passage of the sun but also according
to the position of the weeping willows and rhododendrons. This changing
light was what entranced Monet, who painted his gardens over and over
again.
May and June are the months when the wisteria is in flower above the
Japanese bridge, but the garden is magical whenever you go. The lily pond
looks its best in late July and early August when the lilies are in
bloom, but the gardens contain more than 100,000 perennials and almost as
many annuals are planted every year, providing a profusion of flowers,
scents and butterflies. The garden is open from April to November and the
best time to visit is in late July and early August when the lily pond is
at it's best. You can get there by train from Paris or Rouen to Vernon.
