3.5.10

Giverny

Claude Monet lived at Giverny (some 80 km or 50 miles from Paris), as from the age of 43 to his death in 1926, at the age of 86. 

Giverny is a small village some 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Paris, close to the Seine River.

After seven years, Claude could in 1890 afford to buy his own house, with a large garden, to which he later added the “water lily garden”. Since1980, after important restoration, the house and the garden are open to public.
The place should be visited several times during the year, following the flower seasons. In April, when I made this visit, together with some blogger friends, the water lilies just started to appear.

Here are some examples of how Monet painted his own garden.

53 comments:

joanna said...

Peter

Resplendent Photography ---Beautiful collection of photos of the gardens and home. --
Giverny is one place that I must see --- -- when they had a special exhibit here at the Museum I stood in front of one of Monet's very large paintings for so long -- people came up to me asking questions about his works thinking I worked there at the museum.

Joanny

The Clever Pup said...

I hope to visit in the next year or so. Before I'm 50 at any rate.

Harriet said...

Wonderful post! Now I regret that I didn't make it to Giverny while I was in France on this last trip. It looks even more beautiful than when I saw it in 2003.

Owen said...

Looks like you had a gorgeous day of it... Also up that way is another village Monet painted which I like alot... Vetheuil... well worth the detour. As always a pleasure to see what you're up to... never a dull moment !

Simony said...

Very beautiful garden, who wouldn't like to paint there?
Gotta add that to my list.

Thérèse said...

What a show Peter! One can find everything we need to start watercoloring. A magical place that I haven't visited yet...

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful... Thanks for sharing these with us.. I doubt I'll be getting over there anytime soon so will continue to live vicariously though your blog... Have a lovely Monday..

Erin Wallace said...

This one takes me back. Monet's garden is magical. To see the garden that Monet planted and painted, his inspiration and muse, is an incredible experience. The water lilies are gorgeous. Thank you!

Catherine said...

As I am so interested in art this is somewhere I would love to go - these are gorgeous spring shots - thanks!!

FotoMarg said...

Wonderful photos. It must have been amazing to be there when the flowers were in full bloom.

Olivier said...

magnifique toutes ces fleurs, c'est un endroit qui est magique

hpy said...

Where are your blogging friends?

alice said...

Giverny en avril, le rêve! Tes photos sont un festival!

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Wow Peter fantastic photos, such a wonderful colour palatte :-)

Adam said...

Did you not get inside the house? The gardens are fantastic, but what I remember most was the crazy green colour of the kitchen/dining room!

SusuPetal said...

Peter, this post and photos made me cry. It's so beautiful.
Thank you.

Trotter said...

Wow, with so much beauty around, no wonder you have been absent from the blogosphere... ;))
What a wonderful place!!

lasiate said...

J'y étais allé en été mais c'est encore plus beau printemps.les impressionnistes t'ont impressionnés.un de tes plus beaux posts depuis longtemps

Anonymous said...

A beautiful place. I have seen through his paintings and also in art books. He has even more flowers and green stuff than I do. I wonder how much his gardeners cost him a year?

Thanks for the visit Peter.

lyliane six said...

Tiens nous avons a peu près les mêmes photos ! quel temps magnifique, de toutes façons il fait toujours beau avec les amis.

Bergson said...

un blog rendez vous plutôt fleuri

et avec le soleil

Cezar and Léia said...

Thanks a lot for this fabulous clue, it's a place that I need to visit.I can understand Monet's inspiration , the garden is outstanding!You did a great job with those pictures and collages.
My favourite 4th and 5 but I loved also the first one...okay, it's difficult to choose, I loved all!

hugs
Léia

Unknown said...

Peter, this is awesome! Glad you visited Giverny in spring!

Marie-Noyale said...

I'll think of you this afternoon when I walk by one of the water lilies painting at the MOMA!
I love those green shutters...Imagine opening them in the early morning and
enjoy this flower extravaganza...

I missed your birthday.. Sorry
Happy "belated" birthday
but I didn't miss the superb portrait Nathalie did of you!

sonia a. mascaro said...

Peter,
You did a wonderful post about Claude Monet and Giverny. Monet was an artist very longevo indeed.

Just gorgeous flowers and garden. I can feel the delicious scent of those flowers..
Great photos and great reportage as always.

Nathalie H.D. said...

What a gorgeous series of photos, Peter. The garden is a miracle of a place and your post really does it justice. No wonder Claude Monet had to paint it over and over again, it's a never-ending source of inspiration.

Parisbreakfasts said...

ALICE would have had a picnic here...
Tea-hee
:)

La Belette Rouge said...

Le sigh!!!!!! Wow, Peter! This is just so very beautiful. I have never been to Giverny and I have always wanted to go. Thanks you for sharing all this beauty with us.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Wow! This is absolutely fantastic! I cannot say enough to convey how wonderful I feel looking at these marvelous pictures!

I'm gonna show them to my Mother who is an avid and passionate gardener herself!

And, now we know why Monet stayed here!

Thanks for sharing this!

Simony said...

Yes, there's still hope for you and if you need someone to teach you, I can help! If I am ever in Paris, I will make sure I will contact you!
What about that?!

Ruth said...

You timed your visit to perfection, it's beyond voluptuous with flowers. I haven't been there - it would be fun to go with you one day, if you're ready to go again.

Mo said...

So beautiful there. I didn't see it in Spring though. The blossoms are gorgeous

alice said...

C'est ton anniversaire ces jours-ci, non?

Virginia said...

WEll your photographs would make M. Monet very happy I'm sure. I must show these to Eva. You know her big wish is to see Monet's kitchen! Why I'm not sure. I think "Linnea in Monet's Garden" might be where she got that idea! MaybeI could find my painting talent again right there!
V

James said...

What a wonderful post! I've never been to Giverny but after seeing these pictures I just might go this time.

Catherine said...

Où va se nicher l'inspiration, tout de même ? Quand le pinceau et la toile rencontrent le talent ici, l'art prend racine.

Ton oeil de photographe s'y est exercé. C'est magnifique.

Jeanie said...

Serious gasping and many memories! This was a favorite spot when I visited, although I was between summer and spring -- lots of roses and poppies, short on wisteria and the tulips had gone! Didn't matter -- it was lovely and I could celebrate my favorite artist "in person." The little cemetery on the edge of town where he was buried has a beautiful gate!

Mona said...

Heaven on earth! I haven't seen so many colorful flowers together!

PeterParis said...

Joanny:
If you wish to see a maximum of Monet paintings, including the one which gave the name ti impressionism, you should visit the Marmottan museum in Paris! :-)

The Clever Pup:
I hope you will! :-)

Harriet:
I don't know which is really the best moment to go there; the flowers change all the time - except the winter months of course! :-)

PeterParis said...

Owen:
You are right about Vetheuil! :-)

Simony:
The list may be long; you may have to stay for a while! :-)

Thérèse:
Looking forward to see your water colour paintings! :-)

PeterParis said...

Julie:
Wee, perhaps better tnah nothing, but please start your travel plans! :-)

Erin W:
Yes, wonderful that it was restored and now can be seen! :-)

Catherine:
Now, you know where it is! :-)

PeterParis said...

Cushyco:
Other flowers to come, following the seasons! :-)

Olivier:
En effet! :-)

hpy:
I know that at least a few are still around in Normandy! :-)

PeterParis said...

Alice:
Sans doute pas mal en mai, juin, juillet... aussi! :-)

Anne:
Thanks! Going there next time? :-)

Adam:
Yes, I did, but photos not allowed! :-)

PeterParis said...

SusuPetal:
I guessed you were emotional :-)

Trotter:
Yes, you can't always be around and behind your PC at the same time! :-)

Lasiate:
Oui, c'est impressionnant, c'est sur! :-)

PeterParis said...

Abraham:
I also wonder how many gardeners are needed! :-)

Lyliane:
Coincidence! :-)

Bergson:
Tu aurais pu venir! :-)

PeterParis said...

Léia:
Thanks! Well, finally you don't have to choose! :-)

JM:
Yes, but other months are certainly also good for photos! :-)

Marie-Noyale:
I had the same feeling; I took one of the photos through the windows of his bedroom! :-)

PeterParis said...

Sonia:
A nice combination of house, garden ... and artist! :-)

Nathalie:
I wonder what he did between November and March? :-)

ParisBreakfats:
Yes, a bit of an Alice landscape! :-)

PeterParis said...

La Belette Rouge:
So, don't forget it next time around! :-)

V Rakesh:
Thanks ... and best regards to your mother! :-)

Simony:
When in Paris, of course you MUST contact me! :-)

PeterParis said...

Ruth:
I would be happy to accompany you, not only to Giverny! :-)

Mo:
Certainly beautiful any month between April and October! :-)

Alice:
C'est passé, mais merci! :-)

PeterParis said...

Virginia:
The kitchen is definitely worth seeing, but no photo allowed; painting perhaps?! Best regards to Eva! :-)

James:
Yes, you should! :-)

Catherine:
Difficile de ne pas faire des belles photos à Giverny! :-)

PeterParis said...

Jeanie:
Yes, I missed the cemetery this time, but have seen it previously! :-)

Mona:
It's time you come here! :-)

Capy89 said...

I love this post so much!!! Monet's garden is such a wonderful place and so are your photos!

PeterParis said...

Capy89:
Happy to see you pleased and I'm pleased to see you around! :-)