Monet’s Garden & Giverny in Spring

“My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece.” Claude Monet.

The other day guests staying in my Normandy Bed & Breakfast returned from a day trip to Giverny. Even though they were keen gardeners themselves, they were quite overwhelmed by the numerous displays of tulips in Monet’s Garden and the gardens of the Musée des Impressionismes. This was all the excuse I needed to have a day trip of my own. It will come as no surprise that the various gardens in Giverny look spectacular all year round, and Giverny in spring is no different. So, here are a few photographs for MGN readers to enjoy. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photographs.

Monet’s House and Gardens re-open in the spring, 1 April to be precise, and are open from 09h30 am to 18h00, with the last admission at 17.30. Monet’s garden is certainly a tad more manicured and organised than it was in Monet’s time, but today visitors get a wonderful idea of what it was Monet created in his own days with his gardeners; and perhaps what they might have gone on to achieve had they had the various plants and cultivars available to us today. In any event for anyone with a passion for gardens, Giverny is not to be missed; at any time of the year.

Also opening at the beginning of April is the Musée des Impressionismes. This museum is only in its second year, but it has already earned an enviable reputation for curating some innovative exhibitions of French impressionist art.

Spring in Giverny, the view from the upper floor of Monet’s house out across his garden.