This past weekend I finally did the day-trip from Paris to Giverny, long-time home of almost everyone’s favorite French Impressionist painter, Claude Monet. Giverny is one of those outings that has become a must-do in the pantheon of western culture. Even those who typically shun tourist sites eventually go to Giverny at least once. During past stays in France, there were always reasons I could not go to Giverny; it was too hot, too cold, the gardens were closed, the trains were on strike. When an available sunny weekend day presented itself, I decided to seize the moment and go. Many of my readers have probably been to Giverny themselves, but I will give you a quick account of my experience there. I was a bit groggy on the morning train from Gare St Lazare, but
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