Giverny

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Subtle, beautiful, peaceful, so in harmony with nature and so impressionistic. Giverny! We felt right at home in Claude Monet's charming gardens and bright, (the dining room is totally painted the brightest yellow we have ever seen) eclectic "cottagey" home. Our own little Ballston Lake garden tends to get a little busy/messy like Monet's (on a much, much smaller scale). We love the wild and muted colors of flowers competing for the light. Even the so called Japanese garden doesn't adhere to the traditional rules of Japanese landscaping - but there is bamboo and little arched bridges and waterlilies galore! What a contrast to the formality we would goggle at later the same day in Versailles. This is not to complain - just pointing out the vast difference between the surroundings of creative types - like Money and royal types - like Louie XIV! We loved this place. Would love to see it in spring and summer. Even this late in the fall (October); the Giverny gardens were splendid! The pictures say it all. We bought a book showing the interior (photos were not allowed inside the house). We exited through the gift shop. The Gift Shop at Giverny, like so many museum shops, is wonderful! No cheesy souveniers here!

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Photos

Water Gardener
There are some 12 gardners keeping Monet's gardens just the way the master impressionist had them.

Haystacks
Monet loved to paint the same haystack in different light over a period of time.

Joanne and the Dalias
The dalias are taller than Joanne. Also note the "false sunflowers" sometimes referred to as "outhouse flowers" because they used to be planted near the "loo."

Nastertiums
The arch has a wisteria vine growing on it. The nastertiums totally cover the ground.

Monet's Idea of Rip Rap
We saw bamboo and twigs being used for raised garden beds and, in this case, to tame a stream.

Blue Flowers
Densly planted ageratum with a few "volunteer" morning glory plants creeping around!

Joan Mitchell Exhibit at Giverney Gallery
The Gallery Museum at Giverney is dedicated to mostly American artists who were influenced by Claude Monet. Joan Mitchell was one such artist. The work was huge and very abstract. A little group of elementary students were there on a field trip; wish we could understand French better - these kids were enthralled with what the docent was presenting.

Hollyhocks on the Way to Monet's Garden
I plucked a few of these seed heads and we shall see if I get hollyhocks growing.

Comments

[HELENE]

"IMPRESSED" PUN INTENDED
MONET IS MY FAVORITE AMONG THE IMPRESSIONISTS.....WHOEVER IS TAKING THESE PICTURES SHOULD SUBMIT TO HOME AND GARDEN..AN ART MAGAZINE OR SOME SUCH.....THEY ARE BREATHTAKING.....THE DETAIL IS OUTSTANDING. AGAIN, THANKS FOR SHARING AND HAVE FUN....HELENE

[jane]

love it!!
The look on your face in these pictures says it all...thrilled to be there!! Can't wait until I go someday.

[Silver Back Cuda]

C'est moi!
Bon jour, Helene, la photorgrapheur --- c'est moi! Merci pour votre "compliment." Now, if that isn't fractured French - nothing is; but I tried. Best, Joanne

[Silver Back Cuda]

Some Day, Jane
Glad this is on your "to do" list, Jane - we did wait a long time to do it - so, patience! Love, Joanne

[D MJ Binkley]

We loved our time in Giverny
Your blog brought back many good memories.