Oct 29, 2012 - Monet Day

Up early on this damp and gray day to go to the train station. Somehow we made it there even though we didn't know where we were part of the time. Got the first train to Vernon and then the shuttle bus to Giverny. One of the first ones to Monet's house and then the gardens. There were more autumn flowers than I though we would see, but coming to an end. The lily pond was quite nice and am sure it is gorgeous in the summer, as are the rest of the gardens. But there are also a lot more people. The place is closed at the end of the month and...

Oct 22, 2012 - Monet Day

Up early to head for the train station to go to Vernon. Somehow we managed to get there even though we weren't sure where we were some of the time. Got the first train and then the shuttle bus to Giverny to Monet's house and gardens. It was damp and cloudy today so it was chilly walking the gardens. There were some flowers in bloom but it is getting ready to close at the end of the month. I am sure it is beautiful in the summer, but also crowded with people! Enjoyed walking around the lily pond, the inspiration for his painting. Most of the...

Sep 12, 2012 - The ride - AA Flight #42, Monet gardens in Giverny and Honfleur

The flight was great - all 8 hours of it. We ate, the food was terrific, we slept in a cozy bed, we watched a movie and the flight attendants were very pleasant, something you don't find in domestic flights. With Rick Steve's on one arm and Frank on the other, we hit the ground running. Our luggage was out in less than 20 minutes and we head to Avis to pick up the car. These logistics were easily executed. Driving out of Paris was much easier than I thought it would be and within 30 minutes we were on a highway (after taking a wrong turn...

Aug 9, 2012 - Giverny & Paris

Today's highlight was a stop in Giverny [Jvef vernay] to see the home and gardens of the artist Oscar Claude Monat. There were lots of tourists (of course) but we were able to shuffle our way through his comfortable 2-story home of 43 years (no photos allowed). He had a very large collection of Japanese prints which he hung on the wall of most of the rooms. All but 3 of his own paintings were copies, the rest being in museums. The kitchen was cheerful and inviting with white and blue tiles on all of the walls. We took lots of pictures of...

May 22, 2012 - Giverny Monet's Garden

This afternoon it was off to Monet's garden in Giverney. The garden is now in two parts: You now go through a tunnel under the road to get to the Water garden. I suppose if a road has to split a hostorical garden , theyve at least done it in such a way you think it might always have been like that! The garden is interesting not just becasue of the colour; and I'm sure you could go there in any seasoin and something would be flowering and it would look amazing. It is laid out like a formal garden, in rectangles. In the biggest of these...

Oct 18, 2011 - Monet

These gardens are a real highlight! After going through Monet's house we were turned loose in the gardens. I don't have to tell you that Molly and I were in 7th heaven. What we couldn't get over was there were iris blooming. At home they are through by May. Most of the flowers were at least 4' tall so were walking through gorgeous alleys of flowers. The lily pond gardens, though carefully planted, look wild. With the fall color beginning it was beautiful. Monica, the dahlia picture was taken for you. You wouldn't believe the variety of them...

Jun 3, 2011 - Vernon, Giverny, les Andelys

We left Conflans last night about 7PM, we wake up today in Vernon. Vernon was a critical area during the time of the rivalry between the Capetians and the Plantagenets..how well do you remember your history?? Our excursion this morning was actually to another small town just outside of Vernon, Giverny. While travelling on a train Claude Monet noticed this village. He rented a house, which he eventually bought, created the gardens and proceeded to paint some of his most famous works such as the water lillies and the Japanese bridge....

Oct 18, 2010 - Monet's Gardens

Vernon and Giverney (Claude Monet's house and famous gardens) We did have some difficulties getting here (Vernon) from Eu... Firstly, when we arrived at the town square beside the cathedral in Eu for the bus from Eu to Dieppe, we discovered it was market day; the place was crammed with vendors and it was obvious the bus was not going to arrive there. Fortunately, it was late enough in the morning for the tourist office across the square to be open, and they informed us that on market days the bus leaves from another place… about 10 minutes’...

Aug 29, 2010 - Monet's Home/Gardens

Since we didn't get the chance to see Monet's Gardens on the day we saw Versailles, we scheduled it in for when my parents were with us. The gardens themselves are stunning. Monet planted them himself to create different views no matter where you go. He cleverly planned it out so that no matter what season it is, something will be in bloom. The water garden is the most famous, known for its water lilies lazily floating down a river under the green painted bridges. Willow trees line the edge and canoes sit on a nearby shore. It was much...

Aug 22, 2009 - August's adventures

(This is my third attempt writing and saving, I keep losing my work!) These pictures are taken in Giverny at Claude Monet House and Gardens Clara, Laura, and I took off one Saturday morning by train. We arrived 50 minutes later and took a short bus ride through the town towards his neighbourhood. There was already a huge line-up and we ignored the no picnicing sign just before entering around 1pm. We saw some others sitting on the other side of the fence and picnicing. We would have to go over the low fence by way of the slow moving stream....

Oct 5, 2008 - Day24 Paris#8/Giverny

Water Lily Dreaming Recreated to reflect Monet’s painting … one of the two bridges in today’s garden at Giverny. Keren: Real estate agents must still describe Giverny as “an idyllic retreat only a relaxed drive from the hustle and bustle of Paris.” It reminds me a little of Daylesford or Macedon in relationship to Melbourne. Unlike some of his contemporaries (see Van Gogh’s story for example) Monet was doing reasonably well out of his painting and could afford to set up his family in the house and garden at Giverny. He apparently was as...

Oct 5, 2007 - Giverny: the Claude Monet gardens

Today we woke up ESPECIALLY early, as we were catching the train to Giverny, 45 minutes outside of Paris. Giverny is where Claude Monet called home the last 30 years of his life, and where he found most of his inspiration for his paintings in his gardens, arbors, and lily pond. Not knowing exactly where we needed to be, it finally took us 3 metro connections to get to the Gare St. Lazare train station. Arriving 45 minutes prior to our expected departure we purchased our tickets and waited patiently for our platform to be announced. We had...