Giverny
Monet's gardens and the birthplace of Impressionism
About 1h45 from the gîte via the A13 motorway, Giverny is one of France’s most celebrated artistic pilgrimages. This is where Claude Monet settled in 1883 and spent the last forty years of his life painting and gardening. The result — a pink house with green shutters and two extraordinary gardens — is now managed by the Fondation Claude Monet and welcomes over 600,000 visitors a year.
What to visit?
The Clos Normand — the flower garden in front of Monet’s house is a carefully orchestrated explosion of colour: hollyhocks, nasturtiums, peonies, irises, poppies. The central pathways arched with climbing roses are instantly recognisable. The garden changes dramatically through the seasons, from spring to autumn.
The Water Garden — on the other side of the road, the Japanese-inspired garden is the most famous: the arched green bridge over the water lily pond inspired Monet’s most celebrated series of paintings. In the early morning or late afternoon, the reflection of the weeping willows on the water is identical to the canvases hanging in the Orangerie museum in Paris.
Monet’s house — the interior of the pink house is open to visitors: a kitchen tiled in blue Delft ceramics, a lemon-yellow dining room, and the painter’s studio. The walls are hung with reproductions and Japanese prints from Monet’s own collection.
The Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny — just steps from the Fondation, this museum dedicated to American and international Impressionism hosts excellent temporary exhibitions. Separate admission.
When to go?
May–June — the ideal time: irises, wisteria on the Japanese bridge and roses are in full bloom. Soft light, gardens at their peak.
September — quieter than summer, with dahlias and asters taking over. Equally beautiful.
July–August — the gardens are magnificent but very crowded between 10am and 4pm; arriving at opening time (9.30am) is essential.
Avoid November to March — the Fondation is closed.
Good ideas
Book online before you go — tickets sell out quickly in high season. Available on the Fondation Claude Monet website.
Arrive at opening time (9.30am) to enjoy the gardens before the tour groups arrive.
Vernon (5 min from Giverny) — the neighbouring medieval town is worth a stop: its old watermill on the Seine, the Notre-Dame collegiate church and the Château des Tourelles are charming. A great place for lunch.
Les Andelys & Château Gaillard (30 min) — Richard the Lionheart’s medieval fortress, perched on white cliffs above the Seine, offers one of the finest panoramas in Upper Normandy.
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the gardens and the house. Photography is permitted in the gardens but not inside the house. The site is not well suited to pushchairs or visitors with limited mobility (gravel paths).