Because we do not have a car here, it is always a real treat to get out of the city. I am always amazed by how quickly Paris disappears. Giverny is less than an hour from Paris and an easy drive. I knew that Monet's garden was a tourist destination, but I didn't expect the area around it to still be so lovely. This is a view from the parking lot. If you don't have a car, you have to take the train to the neighboring town, Vernon, and get a shuttle or taxi to Giverny.
We visited November 1st, which was the last day the garden was open for the season. We knew that the gardens would not be at their peak, but we hoped that there would be a lot less people and we hope to return another time when there are more flowers in bloom. This is Monet's house, which is painted pink with green shutters. Inside the house is also very colorful. The dining room is bright yellow with Japanese prints hung three deep. The kitchen is blue and white tiles with bright copper pans. Click on this link for some photos of the garden in summer and spring and a few indoor photos of the house: More photos of Monet's garden and house
There were still an amazing number of flowers out
Famous Japanese bridge over the waterlily pond
Monet, like many of his contemporaries, was a fan of Japonism. The walls of Monet's home are filled with Japanese prints, usually three deep.
His own paintings are in his studio. His studio has been set up to look like it did at a particular point in time. All of the paintings that were hanging there then have been replaced by prints; there is a laminated card that gives a good explanation about all of the works.
I just reread Hare with the Amber Eyes by Edmund de Waal and recommend it. In one part of the book he talks about his ancestor who lived in Paris during the time of the Impressionists, and was a friend and supporter of many of them. In his book de Waal talks about the wave of Japonism that swept Paris.
Once again, the girls are put to work in the kitchen.
 |
| We stopped for lunch at a bakery in Vernon and had to try one of these little piggies. |
what does the cochon taste like?
ReplyDeleteI did not partake of the piggy because I was too busy sharing a chocolate eclair. The piggy was very moist chocolate cake with nuts. The pink frosting was pure sugar.
Delete