As Spring approaches in the Southern Hemisphere my memories flood back to an April day and a visit
to Claude Monet’s house and garden at Giverney. A visit to this garden had been on my wish list for many
years and when the chance to visit became a reality ,I was as excited as a schoolgirl.
Tulips just happen to be my favourite Spring flower and the variety of colours and shapes was just spectacular. I often think of creating a garden as painting with flowers instead of paints and the planting combinations were art itself.
The tulips were the stars of the show with underplantings of pansies , forget-me-nots , hyacinth and wallflowers. The shape and colour of this one really got my attention.
The famous water garden with its Japanese inspired green bridge.You can glimpse the water lily pads , though not the right season for flowers, but what a sight they must be in full bloom.
I am rather fond of blue and white china and these pots with their cheery blooms, wallflowers if my
memory serves me right, on the front verandah caught my eye. They contrast so well against the
pink and greens of the house.
This is the drawing room studio , recreated just as it was in Monet’s time. The art works on display here
are reproductions of originals that now hang in the Musee Marmotton-Monet and the Musee d”orsay
and as well as galleries and museums throughout the world.
A feature of the kitchen is its blue and white ceramic tiles from Rouen.
I hope you have enjoyed my little tour of Monet’s house and garden. I do wish I lived closer so I could
see the garden in Summer with the roses and irises in full blooms or maybe in Autumn colour. Oh well a
girl can dream can’t she.But if you love tulips visit in Spring.
Jill, your photographs of this magical place are absolutely beautiful. My sister gave me Monet's cookbook which he wrote while at Giverny and it is one of my treasured possessions. Are there still vegetable gardens there, as well?
Thank you so much Marea, I'm glad you enjoyed my photos, I had a lot of fun taking them.Your cookbook sounds wonderful, there are some vegetable plots though not readily accessible.
You were so lucky to get to see that! What a beautiful place! 🙂
It was beautiful with its tulips.I know I am a lucky girl indeed.
My stars, what a stunning garden and home – that drawing room quite literally made me gasp aloud (my passion for antique fainting couches knows no bounds :)). Thank you very much for sharing Monet's immensely charming house with us, dear Jill.xoxo ♥ Jessica
My pleasure dear Jessica to share my visit to this truly beautiful house and gardens. xx
I absolutely enjoyed my tour of Monet's garden and home. Truly an artist's residence. Thanks again for fabulous armchair (well, actually, the table while I eat lunch!) travelling. Look forward to the next Postcard. xx
I am so pleased you enjoyed my little tour of Monet's garden and home. Thank you so much, I am glad you are enjoying the postcards.
Jill this is wonderful! Aileen Bordman – Monet's Palate http://www.MonetsPalate.com Monet's Palate Cookbook – The Artist & His Kitchen Garden at Giverny