Monet
Impressionist Giverny experience
Touring Claude Monet's Garden

Monet Impressionist Giverny - are all intertwined terms...

In art history, Claude Monet is recognised as the father of impressionism & his garden at Giverny inspired his most famous works. No matter how many times you see his pictures or visit his garden, you would never tire of them.

Lovers of Impressionist art would be quite familiar with Monet's famous Water Lilies (Nymphéas) and his garden at Giverny is where the idea was realised. The extensive and vibrant private garden of the painter can be enjoyed not only for the fact that Monet drew so much inspiration from it for his paintings, but also for the amazing variety of plants that grow there.

Monet Impressionist Giverny TIP: With such a vast array of flowers, Giverny is a “must do” destination for gardeners visiting France.

For transport & directions to Monet's home at Giverny, click here!





Since 1878 Monet lived in the area not far from Giverny before he bought the property with approx. 10117m² of land. He planted out his garden extensively with flowers, which he loved. After a period of financial hardship and as he became more popular and therefore more successful he was able to purchase the house.



Not long after he acquired neighbouring land which he landscaped adding the famous pond with the waterlilies and equally famous bridge (inspired by a Japanese print).

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You can choose to view garden only (cheaper ticket) or both garden & house of Monet (strictly no photography inside, not even without flash). Although the rooms are limited to a select few, it's well worth viewing, as you’ll be able to see how colour was so important to Monet: his bright, sunflower yellow dining room and vivid blue kitchen complete with shiny copper pots and pans.





The house also contains many Japanese woodblock prints which Monet collected throughout is life and was very fond of. The Japanese style influenced him in many ways not immediately apparent to the eye. The Japanese (Buddhist) connection with nature, depicted in the prints, predominates also in Monet’s works. As too is the clear and vibrant use of colour and attention to nature’s detail which is seen in both the prints and in Monet’s paintings.


Monet Impressionist Giverny TIP: There are many tour operators in Paris that offer a day tour to Giverny, but if you have the time and mobility, consider getting there yourself, either by train and then bicycle (hire available near train station), or by self drive.
It's really easy to get to.





These options give you more freedom to stay as long as you like and in the case of train and cycle, offer more savings! You’ll also be able to experience and enjoy the pretty town of Vernon. The added bonus is that you can arrange to arrive before the organised tour crowds or stay longer, until closing time, to get those magic photos.

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The garden is a riot of colour when flowers are in full bloom. Depending on your visit you may encounter irises, tulips, rhododendrons, dahlias, pansies, clematis and rose arbors laden with aromatic blooms, to name but a few. Flowering is seasonal (Spring, Summer & Autumn) but care of the garden is a full time job, with gardeners working most the year round and a large supply of standby plants at the ready. If necessary the flowers are replaced to ensure perfect blooms during visiting season.


The garden is only open between the 1st of April and the 31st October, with entry between the hours of 9:30 am and 5:30pm. The garden is closed on Mondays. Children under 7 years are free, children under 12 are 3€, adults are 5.5€, there are no senior discounts. For more information, refer to the official website Fondation Monet

For directions and options (including self-drive and bicycle touring) on how to get there, go to Giverny Touring tips.

To see images taken at Monet's Garden go to Monet Impressionist Giverny Photo Gallery

Or, read about more local attractions in the pretty town of Vernon at Vernon Touring Tips


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