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A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s Water Lilies
Having finished exploring the colourful mosaic that is Monet’s house, as I shared in A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s House, it was time to move on to what I consider to be the masterpiece of his Giverny home, the water lilies. A Secret Garden Surprisingly, the gorgeous garden in which they reside is actually hidden from view from his house. For Monet’s property is divided by what was once a raised railway track. In fact, it was while passing through Giverny by train on this berm that he first spotted the property that was to become his home and inspiration. And because this elevation divides the grounds, you must…
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A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s House
Having immersed myself in the riot of colour that is Monet’s Garden, as I shared in my post A Cycling Tour of Giverny: Monet’s Garden, I was now eager to explore his famed house. But before I entered the iconic pink and green abode, I was in need of a restroom. A Serendipitous Find As I exited that, I happened upon a small, hand-written sign posted on a window announcing a virtual tour with a resident expert. I had a few minutes before it started so went outside to enjoy the garden a little more. Then I made my way to the allotted meeting place – a pair of cozy…
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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…
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Versailles: A Binge-worthy Drama
Winter is upon us now in the northern hemisphere. And what better way to while away the long, dark evenings than by binge-watching a great TV series? Even better if that series is a sumptuous French historical drama situated at the incredible Château de Versailles. Yes, believe it or not, one exists. And it is amazing! I discovered it about two years ago on my flight over to Paris for Christmas and was immediately hooked. So much so that I watched the first five episodes of season one on the way over and the last five on the return flight. This captivating drama tells the story of how King Louis…
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Vimy Remembered
November is upon us now. The days grow shorter and the skies grey. It is a time to remember. In Canada, we commemorate the many who fought and sacrificed their lives for the wonderful freedoms that we enjoy today on November 11th, Remembrance Day. And Vimy Ridge has come to symbolize this nation’s remembrance. I feel blessed to have had the good fortune to visit this site of such great courage and sacrifice. Located about 100 kilometres inland from the Normandy coast in northern France, Vimy Ridge, is the site of what is considered one of Canada’s greatest victories during World War I. In just four days, beginning on Easter Monday,…
