A Brush with Beauty: Exploring Claude Monet’s House and Gardens

Exploring Monet’s House & Gardens

We started this year’s Autumn trip by visiting the famous house and gardens of the well-known French artist Claude Monet in Giverny, France. It took approximately three hours to drive there from Calais, and we were amazed by the beauty of his house and gardens. He truly created a living masterpiece.

We parked our motorhome at the designated Aire next to the car park. Surprisingly, no water or toilet facilities were available, but since we only stayed overnight and had our own onboard facilities, it didn’t pose an issue.

Since arriving at 3 p.m., we postponed our visit to the house and gardens until the following day. Instead, we took a leisurely stroll around Giverny village. We were glad we did, as the village had several attractions, allowing us to start the next day feeling refreshed. We visited the Visitor Information Centre in the village to get maps and information about the garden. They also provide interesting insights into Monet’s life and work.

Next, we visited the museum near the garden. The Claude Monet Foundation: This museum houses a collection of Monet’s paintings, including some of his most famous works.

The village has several gift shops, a takeaway and a few restaurants.
The following day, we bought tickets to enter the house and gardens. Prices are 11 euros each.

The Two Gardens

Monet’s garden comprises two distinct sections: the flower garden known as Clos Normand, situated in front of the house, and a water garden inspired by Japanese aesthetics located on the opposite side of the road.

These two segments of Monet’s garden offer a striking interplay of contrasts and harmonious complements.

In Monet’s garden, the land is split into areas with different types of flowers. Some are short, and some are tall, which makes the garden look full and vibrant. Among the flowers, we found fruit trees and pretty trees that make a home for climbing roses, tall hollyhocks, and colourful rows of annuals. Monet liked to mix simple flowers like daisies and poppies with very special ones.

In the middle, there’s a path covered by metal arches where climbing roses grow. Other rose trees line the railing along the house. By the end of summer, the path is filled with bright nasturtium flowers.

Monet didn’t want his garden to look neat and controlled. He let the flowers grow somewhat freely and chose them based on their colours.
As the years went by, he became increasingly interested in plants, swapping them with his friends Clemenceau and Caillebotte. He even spent a lot of money on young plants because, as he said, “All my money goes into my garden.” But he also said, “I am in raptures,” which means he was pleased.

I was really excited about going to the Water Garden, especially to see the famous Japanese Bridge Monet painted many times. The water lilies, weeping willows, and their reflections in the pond make for a calm and picturesque scene, and it lived up to my expectations.

The Water Lily Studio is where Monet painted his famous Water Lilies series. It’s been restored to look as it did during his time, offering a glimpse into his artistic process.

After the garden, we explored the interior of Monet’s charming pink house. We saw his personal living spaces, including his bedroom, dining room, and kitchen, which are also decorated with his own paintings and Asian art collections.

We took our time around the gardens, enjoying the details. It’s a place to return to as the garden changes with the seasons, so it’s worth revisiting.

Giverny was the home of Claude Monet for 43 years, from 1883 to 1926. During this time, he changed the house to suit his tastes and his family’s needs.

At first, the house was small and called the “House of the Cider-Press” because there was a place nearby to make apple juice. Monet made the house bigger by adding to both sides. Now, it’s 40 meters long and only 5 meters deep.

Next to the house, there was a barn. Monet changed it into his first studio by adding a wooden floor and stairs to connect it to the main house. Since Monet mostly painted outside, he needed a place to keep and finish his paintings.

Above the studio, Monet had his rooms – a big bedroom and a bathroom. He liked to work and rest on the left side of the house.
Monet was a successful painter, so he added more to the house. You can see the parts he added by looking at the size of the windows. The new ones are wider than the ones in the middle of the building.

At the other end of the house, Monet designed a big kitchen to cook meals for a big family and when they had guests. Monet’s four stepdaughters had their bedrooms above the kitchen, while his two sons and step-sons slept in the attic.

Monet chose pink for the outside walls and green for the shutters. Back then, shutters were usually painted grey, but Monet preferred bright colours. In addition, he built a covered walkway in front of the house, planted climbing roses, and grew Virginia creeper outside. He wanted the house to look like it belonged to the garden.

The house has three doors. The left door goes to Monet’s rooms, the middle is the main door, and the right is for easily going in and out of the house, especially to the kitchen.

Conclusion

Claude Monet’s house and gardens show how art and nature can be deeply connected. The beautiful flowers and calm water scenes were like a special place for him, inspiring his paintings. When you visit this peaceful place, it feels like you’re inside one of his beautiful paintings of Giverny.

For people who love art and nature, visiting Monet’s house is more than just a visit. It’s an experience that feels timeless and leaves a lasting impression on your heart and mind.

FAQ about visiting Claude Monet’s House & Gardens