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The name Claude Monet is no stranger to art lovers. He is known for masterpieces such as Waterlilies, Woman with a Parasol, Springtime… But did you know that Monet also had a "living masterpiece" that he cherished deeply? It was the vibrant garden full of flowers and plants nestled in the peaceful town of Giverny, France.
The artist's dream garden
In the 1880s, after spending nearly four decades traveling far and wide, passionately creating timeless works of art, Claude Monet harbored the dream of building a simple life, a small, colorful "kingdom" of his own where he could peacefully and freely create art. He found this dream on a train journey through Giverny, a suburb of Paris.
A picture of the famous painter Monet.
The tranquil and refreshing atmosphere of the countryside, the rows of trees, the blossoming flowers amidst pristine nature, the classic and spacious house overlooking a vast garden—all of these immediately captured the heart of the elderly painter. His dream had come true. Monet immediately leased the land in 1883 and devoted all his efforts to transforming it into a beautiful world before officially purchasing it in 1890.
A master of color and light, Monet arranged the flowers in his garden as if painting a colossal work of art that he had cherished his entire life. Vibrant flowers like hollyhocks, peonies, tulips, poppies, and irises were arranged in harmonious rows, creating a dreamy, colorful, and vibrant picture.
The main entrance is adorned with enormous green arches that support delicate climbing rose branches, leading one into a fairytale world. The two-story house where the Monet family lived also boasts an equally captivating color palette: the facade is painted a pale pink, the windows a striking green; while the interior is decorated with vibrant Impressionist tones such as gold and blue.
The villa is covered in flowers.
If you've ever been captivated by Monet's water lily paintings, you'll know that they were all created in a garden expanded in 1893. The idea for this garden was inspired by the poetic scenes in the Japanese woodblock prints that he greatly admired. Here, a small, blue wooden bridge covered in wisteria spans a pond of water lilies shimmering against the sky. The image of water caressing these delicate flowers became a common theme in Monet's paintings during this period.
He was fascinated by depicting the effect of light reflecting on the pond's surface at different times of the day: green, blue, purple, yellow… appearing one after another under his skillful brushstrokes. Along the pond's edge were weeping willows and rows of bamboo, always filled with the chirping of birds, adding color and sound to this beautiful "forest."
When World War I broke out, the garden became a refuge, soothing Monet from the harsh reality; and later, when the war ended, the elderly painter celebrated by donating eight enormous water lily paintings to the l'Orangerie museum, which are still on display in Paris today.
The famous painting of water lilies
Visit the Garden of Eden.
After Monet's death in 1926, ownership of the house and garden passed to his son. World War II caused extensive damage, and it was only restored and renovated after 1977. By then, the gleaming windows were completely shattered by bombings, the floors were rotten, the staircases had collapsed, and the pond was buried under earth and rocks.
After nearly 10 years of renovation and restoration efforts, the garden and house finally regained their former splendor. Monet's favorite flowers were replanted, the interior of the house was restored to its original 19th-century state, and even the paintings were reproduced for display in the art studio where Monet once passionately created his designs.
The entrance to the villa has been renovated.
The charming town of Giverny has since become a popular tourist destination. Visitors come here to stroll around the lotus pond, visit the small wooden bridge, admire the blooming flowers, explore the house where the great painter once lived, and admire the paintings that made him famous.
The gardens at Giverny are the starting point of a journey through both space and time, leading one into scenes filled with light and color, and also back to the past to experience the carefree life and romantic soul of the great artist.
"We have to see Monet in Giverny to truly understand him, to know his personality, preferred lifestyle, and the innermost self."
_Gustave Geffroy_
The ideal time to visit Giverny is in spring when the flowers and foliage are in full bloom, bursting with life, and the entire garden shines in the pristine, sparkling golden sunlight. Located just 75km from Paris, it's perfect for day trips by train, bus, or private car.
Information
- Address: 84 Rue Claude Monet, Giverny, France.
- Opening hours: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Ticket prices: 7.5 - 13 euros
