Visit Giverny in full bloom this Spring!
April 1 st marked the re-opening of Monet's Gardens at Giverny and the American Museum of Art. Find out why 500 000 visitors discover Monet's gardens each year during the seven months that it is open.
There are two sections to Monet's garden: a flower garden called Clos Normand in front of the house and a Japanese inspired water garden on the other side of the road. The two sections of Monet's garden contrast and complement one another creating a spectacle for the eyes like no other!
The Clos Normand
When Monet and his family settled in Giverny in 1883 the section of land sloping gently down from the house to the road was planted with an orchard and enclosed by high stone walls.
A central alley bordered with pines separated it into two parts. Monet had the pines cut down, keeping only the two yews closest to the house.
From this Clos Normand of about one hectare, Monet made a garden full of unique perspectives, symmetries and vibrant with colour.
The Water Garden
In 1893, ten years after his arrival at Giverny, Monet bought the portion of land neighbouring his property on the other side of the railway. It was crossed by a small brook, the Ru, which is a diversion of the Epte, a tributary of the Seine River . With the support of the prefecture, Monet had the first small pond dug despite opposition from his peasant neighbours who were afraid that his strange plants would poison the water.
The pond was eventually enlarged to its present day size and was inspired by the Japanese gardens that Monet knew from the prints he collected avidly.
The water garden is full of asymmetries and curves. There is a famous Japanese bridge covered with wisterias, other smaller bridges, weeping willows, a bamboo wood and above all the famous nympheas which bloom all summer long.
To prevent people from treading on the plants, and thus retain the garden's beauty, the inner alleys are closed to the public. Visitors can walk on the side alleys and all around the garden to admire its perspectives.
To get to the water garden you traverse through an underground passage (at the time of Monet it was necessary to cross the railway and the road). You can walk on the Japanese bridge and explore all the hidden recesses of this magnificent water garden!
Taking pictures is permitted in the garden, but only from the walkways. Picnics are forbidden.
For further details, visit www.giverny.org
How To Get There
There are several tour options to choose from – by bus, by minivan, and then by train to nearby Vernon and to Giverny by shuttle or taxi.
We offer several tours to Giverny by minivan with pick up from your hotel in Paris .
Daily departures (except Mondays) at 1:15 pm from Paris , and Sundays in the morning.
For further details, visit http://www.gotoparis.net/Giverny
As an alternative, we also arrange Giverny + Versailles which is a full day
minivan tour direct from your hotel. Private cars for
individuals and small groups are also possible.
Prices start at about 77 euros
or $123US per person.
