World Quest

Claude Monet was born on November 14, 1840 in Paris, France and is generally regarded as the father of Impressionistic painting. Though he traveled across Europe for the first half of his life, Monet settled in Giverny in 1883 and spent the last half of his life with his family in the house and gardens he created in this small (population; 300) rural village. A large number of his paintings are of scenes and nature from Giverny and, in particular, his gardens.

Monet's first garden, the Clos Normand, filled the land in front of his home. In 1893, 10 years after he arrived in Giverny, Monet purchased a nearby parcel of land on the other side of a railway and a small path. By diverting a small tributary of the Epte River, Monet was able to create his Water Garden, which was based on engravings of Japanese gardens he had seen and which hang throughout the walls of his home. In later years, after Monet's death, the path was expanded into a road and so, when the gardens were restored within the last 3 decades a tunnel was built to allow safe crossing between the two gardens. Giverny hosts a half-million visitors to its village and Monet's Garden during the 7 months (April through October) each year that the gardens are open.

I shot more than 300 pictures between the 2 gardens and it has been difficult to choose which few would be included in my post. Even though we first visited the Clos Normand, then crossed the tunnel to visit the Water Garden and then returned to tour the house (because the lines to get in the house were so long due to a tour group, as you'll see in one of the pictures and in the video), I thought it best to divide the posts into 2 separate entries; one showing Clos Normand and one showing the Japanese Water Garden, in order to show as many photos as possible without it becoming tedious to read and view.

After a delicious breakfast prepared by Carl and Maria at the B & B, we arrived around 10am at the parking area for Monet's Garden.

Cindy and her mom are all smiles as they stand in the line to enter the garden.

Here's a blown up photo of The Master himself, Claude Monet.

Cindy's mom standing beside a hint of what's to come.

A beautiful flower...I have no idea what its name might be, but it's still beautiful.

Cindy's mom standing in front a portion of Monet's House.

A view down the main walkway of the Clos Normand.

Tour group lined up to enter the House, so we came back later.

A shot of a portion of the Clos Normand. Artists were in abundant attendance, sketching, painting and drawing flowers, plants or scenes throughout both gardens. I felt the old familiar yearning to pick up a sketch pad and pencil in order to capture my own vision of the beauty of these gardens, but contented myself with using my camera.

Another beautiful flower. I can't show you all the shots of the gorgeous flowers I took, so I'm just trying to pick out a few to share.

But before we go any farther, I should let you see the video shot in the Clos Normand. Turn up the volume.

Cindy's mom beneath an absolutely spectacular rose tree.

A stunning rose

Cindy and her mom.

We finally made it into the house. Here, Cindy and her mom gaze out the second story window of Monet's study to the gardens below.

Cindy's mom, back on the ground in Clos Normand.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to explain or even capture with a camera the beauty of the garden and the feelings that well up inside you as you stroll among the flowers, plants and trees. Everything seems to almost become sublime and calm, yet at the same time your spirit feels refreshed and energized. This is a trip I shall not soon forget.

Next Post: Monet's Garden - The Japanese Water Garden