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    Travel » France » Paris

    Day Trip to Monet's Home and Garden

    Published: Oct 22, 2015 · Modified: Oct 24, 2018 by Marissa Stevens · 12 Comments

    In my third year of college, I moved from the dorm to an apartment with a couple of friends. I furnished my bedroom with mattresses on the floor, two white plastic milk crates for nightstands and on the wall behind my bed, a 6 foot wide by 4 foot tall poster of a Monet water lily painting.

    I'd paid a local photo store to mount the poster to foam core. When I went to pick it up, the mounted poster, of course, did not fit into the trunk nor the back seat of my Honda Civic. Determined to have it that day, I slid it into the back seat as far as it would go and drove home, holding the car door against it with my left hand while steering and shifting with my right.

    At that time, it never crossed my mind that I might walk around the actual water lily pond that inspired the painting, but yesterday I did.

    Monet - Water Lily pond

    We took a train to the village of Vernon where we rented two rickety bikes, then rattled and squeaked our way the 3 miles to Giverny to visit Claude Monet's home and gardens.

    Monet - train station

    Monet - bikes for rent

    We walked through Monet's home and I took only a few photos: of the garden view from a window upstairs, and of the kitchen because I want to cook there, maybe some French Onion Soup or Baked Eggs (that set of copper pots!). My impression of Monet is that he was a private person; because of that I couldn't shake the feeling of being an intruder in his home.

    Monets House

    Monets house and garden

    Monet - view from the window

    Monet - Kitchen

    Monet - copper pot collection

    But in his gardens, among the enthusiastic bird song and fastidious bees, I felt entirely welcome.

    Monet - Garden and Arches

    Monet - Dahlia

    Monet - Chickens

    Monet - stream

    Monet - Water Lily pond

    Claude Monet

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    1. Mon Petit Four (@byMonPetitFour) says

      October 25, 2015 at 12:05 am

      Soooo beautiful! I love his kitchen..I am with you...those pots are everything <3

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 25, 2015 at 2:54 am

        The stove was amazing too! Beeta, I wish you and I could work side by side in it - I'll make dinner, you make dessert. <3

        Reply
    2. Toni L Godman says

      October 24, 2015 at 8:12 am

      What beautiful, "ahhhhh" Monet gardens....love that copper too. The Monet "statue" would tell me that he was a kind man (eyes).

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 25, 2015 at 2:53 am

        Thanks, Mom. xoxo

        Reply
    3. KevinIsCooking says

      October 23, 2015 at 8:52 am

      I love how you guys, walk, hike, bike and take the public transportation… we do as well whenever traveling. I feel it gives you a better point of view of everyday life and lends one more flexibility in spur of the moment change of plans!
      That first photo here Marissa is AMAZING. I kept starring at it, so beautiful. And that kitchen, it’s a work of art in itself. I’d cook there in a hot second too, and that view from the kitchen window must have been special (no kidding about all that copper, wow!).
      The bamboo lined stream would be something to walk along every morning and then sit in the garden enjoying all the beautiful colors. So inspiring! Thank you. 🙂

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 25, 2015 at 2:53 am

        Such a kind comment, Kevin, thank you! I completely agree with you! Why travel if you spend all of your time on the outskirts of how people actually live. It's hard enough to get a sense of it when you jump right in the middle of it. 🙂

        How great are iPhones? They're a game-changer in terms of photography, no more lugging the camera around.

        Reply
    4. Barbara says

      October 22, 2015 at 1:59 pm

      I am transported by your day with Monet in his home and garden. Lovely and so much fun to see his inspiration. I am quite fond of the name lily, so this photo made me appreciate the painting and name even more. Enjoy your adventure you two! XO

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 25, 2015 at 2:51 am

        Thanks so much, Barb. xo

        Reply
    5. Dorothy Dunton says

      October 22, 2015 at 8:24 am

      Hi Marissa! Absolutely gorgeous photography! Monet's Water Lilies has always been a favorite of mine and I too have a framed print if it - it has such a soothing effect on me. I can only imagine how tranquil it was seeing the actual gardens and pond.

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 25, 2015 at 2:51 am

        Thank you, Dorothy and I know what you mean - there is something so peaceful about those paintings.

        Reply
    6. shashi at runninsrilankan says

      October 22, 2015 at 7:55 am

      OHMYGAWSH - As an art lover I must say, how absolutely cool to have walked around the actual pond that inspired Monet's water lily painting! And it's so stunning from your pictures!

      Reply
      • Marissa says

        October 25, 2015 at 2:50 am

        It really was, Shashi. 🙂 Thank you....xo

        Reply

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