My Visual Travel Experience: Giverny (France)

In June 2022, my wife Kamalini, our 7 year old son Rehaan, and I visited Giverny. Kamalini's school friends - Tanuka and Shalini - also joined us all the way from New York, as did Shalini's teenaged daughter Maya. We stayed at a hotel called Les Rouges Gorges. In one sense, it was a charming hotel, a part of which was a theatre with a stage, seating, and props. Quaint indeed, but the hotel's hygiene levels could have been better, and our experience would certainly have been mush more enjoyable without the dust, the cobwebs, and the extremely cluttered rooms!

Giverny is a small village in Normany that lies 80 km to the north-west of Paris. It has a population of around 600, but it is a major tourist destination due to its association with the famous impressionist artist, Claude Monet. Monet noticed the village of Giverny from a train window, and made up his mind to move there in 1883. He moved into a rented house, but in 1890, he bought the house and the area around it. He then went on to create the stunning gardens that he wanted to paint. Many of his famous paintings were inspired by these gardens.  

Besides the House and Gardens of Claude Monet, the village also has the Church of Sainte Radegonde, the Museum of Impressionism, and Hotel Baudy (formerly the centre of artistic life in Giverny, and now a hotel and restaurant).

Fondation Claude Monet is a non-profit organization that runs the House and Gardens of Claude Monet (Maison et Jardins de Claude Monet). Monet lived in Giverny for 43 years from 1883 until his death in 1926. After the death of Monet’s son, Michel Monet, in 1966, the estate was bequeathed to Academie des beaux-arts. The house and gardens were then restored with the help of the curator of the Palace of Versailles. The Fondation Claude Monet was established in 1980 to maintain the estate. Visitors to the house can see the reading room, the studio, the blue-tiled kitchen, and the family bedrooms.

House of Claude Monet

Bedroom, House of Claude Monet

Kitchen, House of Claude Monet

Monet's Studio, House of Claude Monet

Copy of Monet's Boats, House of Claude Monet

The gardens have numerous different types of flowers and plants. They are, however, most famous for the water-garden with the water lillies and Japanese bridge that Monet painted in many of his works of art. 

Water Lilly Pond, Gardens of Claude Monet

Water Lilly Pond and Japanese Bridge, 
Gardens of Claude Monet

Flowers and Stream, Gardens of Claude Monet

Walking Path, Gardens of Claude Monet

Glasshouse, Gardens of Claude Monet

Church of Saint Radegaon (L'Eglise Sainte Radegaon) is a little church famous for the graves present in its yard. The best known sight there is the Tomb of Claude Monet.

Church of Saint Radegaon

High Altar, Church of Saint Radegaon

Tomb of Claude Monet, 
Church of Sainte Radegaon

Tombs of British Officers, 
Church of Saint Radegaon

War Memorial,
Church of Saint Radegaon

Museum of Impressionism (Musee des Impressionnismes) is dedicated to the history of impressionism. The museum has regular exhibitions, and Monet’s works are prominently displayed here. The museum also has beautifully landscaped gardens. 

Monet's Water Lillies with Weeping Willow Branches,
Museum of Impressionism

Photograph of Monet,
Museum of Impressionism

Eva Jospin's Water Lillies, Garden, 
Museum of Impressionism

Two historical buildings in Giverny stand our prominently. They were both hubs of artistic life in Giverny during Monet's time. These buildings are Hotel Baudy and Le Coin des Artistes. The former is now a hotel with a popular restaurant.

Hotel Baudy

Le Coin des Artistes

We enjoyed our Giverny visit. The village was small enough to cover properly in one day. Yes, our hotel could have been better. Also, Tanuka was detected with Covid while we were there, so that was most unfortunate (though her symptoms were mild, and she was alright within a couple of days). But it was fascinating to be in the place where one of history's most famous artists chose to live his life, and to see some of the spectacular sights that inspired his works!