Lovers of art and culture, have always looked at the places that inspired poets, writers and artists, almost as pilgrimage sites. And why shouldn’t we? Where we live and work profoundly impacts our perception, conception and (in case of artists) representation of the world. Perhaps following the footsteps of people who created some of the most iconic art might even feed some of our own creative yearning? Perhaps we hope that breathing the same air and aura, some of the artists’ magic might rub off on us too. When it comes to the profound ways in which physical places have come to be associated with an artist’s ouvre, perhaps there is none more iconic than Claude Monet’s house and garden in Giverny.
Claude Monet, a luminary of the Impressionist movement, was born on November 14, 1840, in Paris. The name of the movement itself comes from one of Monet’s painting ‘Impression, Sunrise,’. The Impressionist art movement is defined by fine, visible brush strokes, and an acute attention to depicting light in varying moods and intensity. These painters captured their ‘impressions’ of the natural and modern world as they viewed it under the ever-changing light and shadows. To find out more about the artistic output of Monet and his Impressionist cohort, read this informative essay by the MET Museum.
Monet’s house in Giverny holds a special place in the cultural landscape of France, and indeed of the world. The reason is not just because Monet lived and worked here. It is because the house and the surrounding magnificent gardens have been the inspiration behind some of Monet’s most iconic paintings. Most notably, his series Water Lilies, painted between 1914-26. This consisted of forty large-scale panels that came about directly as a result of Monet’s surreally beautiful lily ponds in his Giverny house.
Read along to find out how to reach Monet’s house and garden in Giverny, as well as what to expect when you visit. I have also added some additional logistical information and things to do in Giverny.
How to get to Monet’s house in Giverny from Paris
Getting to and from Giverny to Paris, is super easy. Here’s a brief summary of all the ways you can do it.
Car
You can hire a car for the day from Paris and reach Monet’s house in about 1 hours and 30 minutes.
Train
This is perhaps the easiest, most cost effecient and popular way to get to Giverny from Paris. There are several trains that run from Gare du Lyon until Vernon station. Its a journey of just 50 minutes. From the station, there are several ways you can get to Monet’s house in Giverny.
- First you can take the shuttle bus that is available right outside the train station.
- The second way, is to walk a couple of steps from the train station, and hire a bike from one of the many bike rental places in Vernon. You can use Google Maps to find these. Even without a map, just 2-3 minutes walking distance away from the train station, towards the centre of the town, you can spot neatly lined pretty bicycles. These are difficult to miss. Additionally, the bicycle lane from Vernon and right up until the village of Giverny, is pretty well made. So, you can have a secure, well-paved bicycle track, and a pleasant ride.
- The third and my chosen way to get from the railway station to Monet’s house in Giverny, is to walk. Yes, a 50 minute-walk from the railway station to a magnificent garden, where there is more walking to be done, is not everyone’s cup of tea. I just happen to be the kind of person who, if given enough time and the right kind of walkable quiet streets, would always prefer to walk everywhere.
- The routes for walking and cycling are very pleasant. The first part of the route is next to the Seine river, which flows through Giverny. This is a quiet, leafy road with plenty of breezy spots on the way to rest, and even have a picnic. The second part of the route too is a pleasant walk, with trees on both sides of the road. This is definitely a plus when you are walking in summer.
Monet’s house and garden, Giverny: Here’s what to expect
The gardens
Monet settled in the picturesque village of Giverny in Normandy in 1883. Right from the outset, he meticulously crafted the huge gardens surrounding his house into his own natural canvas. The gardens are lush and set against the backdrop of the distant hills. When you visit, you cannot but feel submerged under the deluge of rose bushes, tall floral hedges, and flower beds which bloom with wild abandon and yet, are well-kept. The gardens evoke an elegant but extremely bucolic, pastoral charm.
There is a lot of biodiversity within the garden. The huge ground is sectioned into different parts dedicated to different types of flowers and plants. There are imposing centuries old trees that beautifully punctuate the property. Birds, bees and butterflies are aplenty and add to the idyllic mood of the gardens.
Water lily pond, le bassin aux nymphéas
When visiting Monet’s gardens in Giverny, the pièce de résistance for many is, of course, the water lily pond. Its reputation precedes itself. The most amazing thing about these ponds is that perhaps everyone who visits it has already seen paintings of it, thanks to Monet.
Walking up to the pond through wooden walkways next to gurgling stream of fresh water, I too could not shake the feeling of sheer familiarity. I mean, just two summers ago, I spent a delicious afternoon gazing at Water Lilies or Les Nymphéas, in Musée de l’Orangerie. It was incredible to see how Monet captured the fluidity of water and the colours of the flowers under different light. On canvas, he seemed to make light itself stand still as he translated slivers of the day meticulously onto paint. And here I was, looking at the exact pond and the flowers that inspired such greatness.
The pond itself is huge, and you can easily spend an hour or more just walking around it, staring at the placid beauty of the water lilies in full bloom. Pretty flowers and plants line the pathways. On one end of the pond, you will also recognise the Japanese bridge that Monet has immortalised in his paintings. The water lily pond is beautiful enough to be worth visiting for its own merit. But viewing it through the lens of Monet’s paintings, as I and throngs of other visitors no doubt do, made the experience even more special.
Monet’s house
At the centre of all the surrounding gardens and pond, is Monet’s former home. Its pink facades over run by gorgeous rose bushes. The front yard itself is completely blanketed by the most brilliantly blooming flowers. As you can see from the photos above, the house is completely in harmony with the rest of the property, with its bright yet rustic, postcard- pretty exterior.
The interiors too, does not disappoint. On the ground floor, is the former studio of the painter. This room with its huge open windows, was my favourite part of the house. Homey touches such as the cosy floral- print sofa, the beautiful wooden study table, and the easel and colours, make it feel as if the artist himself might come in any minute and start working. Additionally, about 60 reproduced paintings by Monet are also on display here.
If you love French country kitchens, you would be bowled over by the kitchen in this house. Bright blue tiles line every wall, while the light blue furniture and cabinets imbibe a feeling of holiday even on a cloudy morning. Upstairs are the private quarters of the family. All the bedroom open up to the majestic gardens around the house.
Monet’s house and garden are now the property of Académie des Beaux-Arts. The house is also used to host temporary exhibitions.
Additional Information
Opening season to visit Claude Monet’s House and Gardens
The house is open every day:
- From March 29th 2024 to November 1st, 2024
- From 9.30am to 6pm, last admission at 5.30pm
Tickets
You can purchase your tickets on site or online from the website. Online, the tickets cost €11 for adults, while on-site, the tickets costs €10.
I would suggest you to book your tickets online so you can skip the long queues outside the ticketing booth at the house. It’s well- worth paying the extra €1.
Address
Maison et jardins Claude Monet – Giverny
84 rue Claude Monet
27620 Giverny
Tel : +33 (0) 2 32 51 28 21
contact@claudemonetgiverny.fr
Things to do around Giverny
Indeed, Giverny village is an ideal destination for a day trip from Paris. Of course, you can also stay the night so you can take your time and discover its many gems. Apart from Monet’s house and gardens, there are many other things to do in Giverny and Vernon. In fact, I would be writing a separate post for the city of Vernon so stay tuned for that.
Explore the village of Giverny
Giverny village has been labelled as one of the Ville et Villages Fleuries in France. This label recognises municipalities and villages across France which provides special attention to plants, trees and the environment in their planning. The streets of the tiny village of Giverny is filled with wild flowers, and some of the most gorgeous classical cottages.
Just walking along the village street, you can spot numerous artists’ galleries advertising their paintings. There are also several shops selling curiosities inspired by the Impressionists. Since the village once used to be the hub of painters, there are many spots here associated with the famous people who lived and worked here. In fact, Giverny became a colony for many an American artists. Wandering around the village will reveal hidden trivia and delightful stories.
Museum of Impressionism, Giverny
The Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny is an excellent way to learn more about the art movement. And you can do so while enjoying some stunning pieces of art. There are several temporary exhibitions that run here throughout the year. This museum is just a couple of minutes’ walk away from Monet’s house in Giverny.
Apart from all the art inside, the museum has a magnificient garden on its grounds. This is actually free to visit and open to all. The garden is divided into several sub-parts which are connected to each other by elegant floral walkways. The museums has brilliantly attempted to capture the views and inspirations of the Impressionists painters, through its garden.
Apart from beautifying the garden, the museum has also been focusing on biodiversity, sustainability and ecological management. In fact the garden of Musée des Impressionnismes has received certification as one of the Remarkable Gardens of France.
If you want to know about other remarkable gardens in France, visit our post on Jardins du Palais de la Berbie or Jardins d’Étretat.
Église Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny
If you would like to pay your respects to Monet’s grave, you can do it too while in the village of Giverny. The church and cemetery of Giverny is just 15 minutes walking distance away from Monet’s house. Go around the church, and up the steps that lead to the cemetery. Here, you can find Monet’s grave on your right just a few steps short off the end of the steps.
Going up the hillock also offers you sweeping views of the green hills around Giverny. All in all, Giverny is an ideal way to spend a day or two away from the bustle of the city, dipped in art and nature.
