Departure from the city will take you through the western suburbs and along the Normandy motorway. As you travel, you'll learn about Monet's life, the birth of Impressionism, and how this artist transformed a humble village into one of France's most visited artistic sites. Upon reaching Giverny, your entrance ticket will be handed over, allowing you to proceed directly to Monet's house and gardens.
Within the pink-walled residence, restored to its original state during Monet's era, you can explore the blue sitting-room, pantry, kitchen, and the bright yellow dining-room adorned with Japanese prints. You'll also have access to the artist's bedroom and private quarters upstairs, where Monet spent over four decades of his life and raised eight children.
Venturing outside, you'll find yourself in the Clos Normand, a rectangular flower garden designed like a painting. From spring to autumn, it bursts into life with more than a hundred varieties of flowers: roses, nasturtiums, irises, tulips and exotic plants from East Asia. With such an abundance of flora, the colours and perspectives shift with every path you tread, just as Monet envisioned.
A small underpass then guides you to the water garden, home to willow trees, bamboo, and the renowned Japanese bridge arches over the lily pond. There, you can see firsthand the landscapes that inspired Monet’s iconic Water Lilies series. Take your time to capture photos and discover the exact viewpoints that you recognise from his masterpieces.
