APRIL 2019 : PARIS : DAY 5 : GIVERNY

We had a spare day in our program and we were able to organise a day in the country to visit Monet’s beautiful garden and home in the small village of Giverny, north-west of Paris and only an hour and a half on a tour bus. We chose to take a full day tour which included transport, entry to the gardens and the Impressionist museum with lunch and afternoon tea. We were given a guide booklet and audio guide and managed the day on our own. It was a sunny day about 25oC.

We took the Metro and met the tour bus at 8am near the Jardins des Tuileries, by the dramatic  statue of Joan of Arc.

Giverny is only 3 kms from the larger town of Vernon on the Seine. This medieval building on the remnants of an old bridge, fascinated us.

Arriving at the Monet estate, first stop the water gardens.

Please forgive me for so many photos. Every aspect of the estate was remarkable, from the tiniest flower, co-ordinated garden bed, water view. It was a visual feast. No water lilies today but there was much to compensate.

From individual flowers..

                        

...to the garden beds, all representing paint palates

The house

I sat next a friendly French woman, while I listened to the commentary. As we chatted a woman asked in an animated gesture (so we would understand!) if she could photograph us. The amateur photographer was from Wollongong and assumed we were part of a French family group. Maybe I could stay on and slip into Parisian society unnoticed. My French (recent) companion and I were very amused!

The great man himself in his ‘salon’ with his work on permanent display 

A 3 course lunch was included at a local restaurant

Another treat in a tree nearby

Our day included a ticket to the modern Impressionist Museum which featured an exhibition of Claude Monet and his friend, Auburtin, who collaborated during their artistic careers, particularly in seascapes of Belle Île off the nearby Normandy coast.

A short walk along Rue de Claude Monet to the local church where the Monet family grave is situated.

Our afternoon tea provided at a friendly local cafe

Meanwhile on the lane nearby, we were amused with these waitresses attempting to change a tyre while the boys look on.

Then we met the bus at 5pm to return to Paris

We had a light meal at a cafe just outside the hotel 

M&M