A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s Garden

Spring has had a slow start here this year. And today, cool showers have once more replaced the warm sunshine. So, to boost my spirits, I’ve decided to return to a gorgeous, sun-bleached, May day that I spent cycling through a picturesque corner of Normandy. I had left Paris by bus with a group of about twenty other explorers, eager to fulfill my dream of visiting Monet’s garden, the inspiration for so many of his gorgeous Impressionist paintings.

Vernon

We exchanged our tour bus for bicycles in the charming village of Vernon, stopping first to pick up fixings for lunch at the open-air market. Our picnic was enjoyed in a park by the Seine with a view of le Vieux Moulin – the Old Mill – perched on the ruins of a stone bridge. It’s historic half-timbered design mirrored a number of the 15th- and 16th-century houses found within the town.

First Glimpse

Recharged, it was time to hop on the bikes and finish the last 5 kilometres of our journey to Giverny. It is a lovely ride along a well-maintained path that takes you into the heart of this quaint village. Disembarking from the bikes, we walked along Giverny’s main street, arriving at the Hunter-green gates of Monet’s Garden. As we passed through this portal, the garden greeted us with a breath-taking abundance of multi-coloured flora, with the famous green-shuttered, pink house in the distance. And there they were, the gently curved arches of the rose-covered arbours lining the centre alley! It was easy to imagine myself in one of Monet’s gorgeous works of art.

A Parade of Blossoms

A closer look at the blossoms revealed a veritable fashion show: delicate white irises reminiscent of opalescent organza; lush, pale yellow peonies that evoked the image of a voluminous ball gown; and rich purple irises that called to mind the velvety robes of royalty. Each was a star in its own right.

Tended With Care

You can easily lose track of time as you stroll among the riot of colour bedded among the garden’s gravel paths. So organic is the appearance of the beds, that one might think the wind had seeded them. However, on this day, there were clear reminders of the effort that is required to maintain them. The gardeners have done such an amazing job that it is hard to believe that Monet’s Garden went to ruin for many years after his death. I am so happy that a dedicated group of Monet fans came together to restore this treasure.

Having filled my senses with the scents, sounds and colour of Monet’s Garden, it was time to explore his wonderful  home. And an unexpected expert was about to give me the inside scoop. You can read all about it in my post A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s House.

Fondation Claude Monet  84 rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France

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