Monet's Gardens
Listed under Gardens in North East France, France.
Monet's Garden is the colourful garden of an artist, by an artist. This is the garden created from 1883 to 1926 in the Valley of the River Epte by Claude Monet, one of the world's best loved artists. He was the leader of the Impressionist painters, the term being derived in 1874 from his landscape Impression Soleil Levant.
Monet liked painting a subject in the open air at different times of day to show variation in light. This garden was thus a picture itself besides a subject for painting. His garden will have special appeal for artists and photographers.
The estate was authentically restored in 1976 for l'Acadamie des Beaux Arts (there are even turkeys, in a small enclosure).
This beautiful garden of ethereal colour harmonies and contrasts at Giverny is divided into two distinct parts by a road. Access between the parts is through a tunnel. On one side of the road, standing well back at the top of the garden, backing onto the village street, is Monet's characteristic pink house with green shutters and festooned with roses. On the walls inside his simply appointed house hang his collection of Japanese prints. In front of the house a cornucopia of colour inhabited by bees and butterflies stretches down to the wall by the road. Through the tunnel lies a different scene. The stylistically eastern water-garden with its famous wisteria, willows and water-lilies still appears to await the dazzling eye of the master for a final canvas. You walk beside Monet's famous slowly-flowing, shallow, water-lily ponds with their wonderful play of light and shadow, inspiration for his immortal paintings.
You will find a good choice of Monet souvenirs in the visitors' centre. Also in this delightful village is the Musee Americain Giverny which was opened in 1992. Funded by the Terra Foundation for the Arts in America, the museum enables the visitor to explore the historical connection between French and American artists throughout the Impressionist and other 19th and 20th century periods.
More Information about Monet's Garden on the Sisley Website.
Written by 
Tony Sissons.
Other expert and press reviews
“Monet's Inspiration”
Step into Monet’s world when you visit his home garden, which he built beginning in 1883 when he moved there with his family. Seeing Giverny, you understand the inspiration for Monet’s garden and plant paintings. The contrast of light and dark, and th… Read more...
Written by 
Marty Wingate.
“A Garden of Colours”
I was not prepared for the beauty of Claude Monet’s gardens…they were truly inspiring and after a tour of the gardens go through the house and upstairs to his bedroom and look out the very same windows that he did, where he could see and reflect on the … Read more...
Written by 
Donna Dawson.
“Art and the Garden”
Giverny was made by the great French impressionist painter, Claude Monet. It is not a large garden, but it is exceedingly popular with visitors and remarkably photogenic. Monet moved from Paris to Giverny in 1883, believing that all painting of nature s… Read more...
Written by 
Tom Turner.
More Information about Monet's Garden on the Gardenvisit Website
“Monet's Garden at Giverney”
Claude Monet’s inspirational garden is essentially two separate gardens. The Flower Garden is designed around the Grand Allee leading to the house and is a seasonally changing tapestry of colour that stretches from the ground into the sky via trellises … Read more...
Written by 
Kent Ross.
“Excerpt from 'Why the lily pond looks a picture, too'”
By Max Davidson for the Telegraph First published February 5, 2001 ...In America, Giverny would be designated a national heritage site. The French expression is simpler, more expressive - un lieu de mémoire. It is certainly a place where the past and p… Read more...
Written by press. Full Article from the Telegraph
Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers
Who has developed this ?
Is there a consultant who helps in development of such gardens
1 Reply
There were people who helped restore the garden to its original state as well as current gardeners.
World Reviewer Staff
- posted 6th February 2010
tour for ladies in 70's
my mum and sister want to see Monet's gardens when the lillies are in bloom. Can anyone recommend a suitable tour. They would like to go for 7 days or more and see other gardens in France while there.
It is wonderful.God bless you madam for your wonderful gift to the world.
when is the best time to visit the garden?
When is the best time to visit Monet's garden?
1 Reply
The garden is open between the 1st of April until the 1st of November. It's beautiful in spring, but has a whole flowering calender so there's something to see in summer and at the beginning of autumn as well. Here's a link to the flowering calender for 2009: giverny.org/gardens/fcm/calendar.htm
Kat Mackintosh
- posted 9th April 2009
Fantastic day out from Paris - best to take one of the organised tours, with a guide, to get the full benefit. However, if you want to spend longer here, rent a car and take a picnic.
Who's been here
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Related links
- North East France travel guide
- France travel guide
- France travel specialists
- The best Gardens
- The best Visitor Attractions
is it open easter monday
are the gardens open on monday 5th april ( easter monday )
1 Reply
Hi Sally - Unfortunately in 2010 the gardens don't open until the first of April and remain open until the 31st of October, so you're a bit early.