The Giverny Masterpiece

Up early this morning...for Giverny, Monet's most wonderful masterpiece.
Pierre wanted to take la voiture rouge, but I wanted to drive la voiture blue!
So we decided on the train instead!

We arrived at Giverny at 9.30am hoping to dodge all the tourists.....weren't we silly.  Within an hour, there were hundreds enjoying this magnificent garden.

I think Monet described his garden as his greatest masterpiece and I can see why....the French style garden at the front of his maison is a sublime mix of Springtime blues, pinks, oranges and yellows framed by green arches trailing with wild roses, and his serene Japanese garden is filled with weeping willows, bamboo, wisteria and that famous lilly pond.

The garden was lovely despite all the rain we've had during the last week.....a Springtime feast for the eyes.

Wouldn't it be lovely to see it in each season..and observe, as Monet did, the garden's changing kaleidoscope of colour and light.

As I wandered around the garden I marvelled at how such a prolific artist found the time to paint all those masterpieces http://giverny-monet.com/top10en.htm as well as create and maintain this magnificent garden?  Maybe he controlled events from afar (like I try to do at home) and had a team of gardeners do all that potting, weeding, pruning, digging, planting etc etc.

Have a little frolic through the garden and let the colours sweep over you.

Those famous irises were everywhere.

The Grand Allée that runs up to the front of the maison.

Blue irises...exactly what he painted.

I loved these cerise balls on long, lime stems...not sure what there're called.

Springtime yellow and orange..everywhere.

A mixed palette....perfect for the painter.

Those blue irises....were beautiful.

a

And the drama of black against lime...mental note to me.

That famous lilly pond...with reflections, weeping willows et al.

Wild roses

I can just image Monet painting this.

The flaming Japanese maple...was a strong accent....now I know why a dash of red looks fantastic in a room.

Under the weeping willow.

I'll see if I can spot this boat in one of his paintings.

Monet's maison with green shutters looked lovely against the garden's greens.
Inside the maison, the kitchen was also a feast for the eyes...
mustard yellow walls,
terracotta + cream tiles
and inky-blue Japanese prints on the walls.

 Yes....it's easy to see why Monet said that Giverny was his greatest masterpiece.

And to complete the journey.....we're off to Musée de l'Orangerie on Thursday to see those waterlillies (again).


You may also like my posts on:
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/01/my-rusty-haven.html

http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/02/my-valentine.html