Famous People

 

4^th May 2018:     

 

MONET’S PARADISE

 

OUR ADVICE – BOOK IN ADVANCE

 

Giverny is truly Monet’s Paradise.  Both garden and house demonstrate his love of colours, and his way of putting them together.  It is well worth the ticket price.  You will get in cheaper – and more importantly – save yourself a long wait in line if you book in advance over the internet.

This delightful village was not that far away from Rouen, so we had booked in for a ten o’clock entrance to Monet’s famous garden in Giverny.  This was a delight once we had finished the very long walk from our car park to the entrance right at the other end. (We were not clued-in as to the best car park).  I ALSO advise you to Google up a ground plan before you visit Giverny.

 

MONET’S GARDEN – ‘PALETTE’ – AT GIVERNY

 

 

We were surprised at first to see that the main garden was comprised of what looked like overlong, thin allotment strips interspersed with paths. Ah – but these strips were packed with flowers.  It was when I stood at one corner and looked up across these beds to the far corner that Monet’s palette sprang startlingly into view.  A row of vivid royal blue irises fronted a slash of large crimson tulips.  They stood in a sea of glowing yellow daffodils (or similar flowers) interspersed with those lime-green euphorbias all French gardeners seem to love.  This riot of colour was broken at intervals by fruit trees in full blossom, although there was a full orchard elsewhere – part of it taken up by the overflow from two cafes.

 

 

 

 

 

AN UNWELCOME QUEUE:  

 

Eating under the trees was all very pleasant.  There were two snags, though:  The prices of the food on offer, and the fact that there was only one very small ladies’ toilet (outside).  One had to queue.  I would have thought that with the prices they were asking they could have provided better relief than the one and only site to be found in this vast garden.

 

 

You had to pass fascinating little ‘side garden rooms’, many with attractive central gazebos, before  crossing an underpass to get to the next bit over the road.

 

 

AH: MONET’S FAMOUS BRIDGE:

 

 

This ‘next bit’ held the famous water-lily lake and bridge.  It proved to be very tranquil.  In May, although much of the bridge was hidden, this was due to a beautiful, twisted Wisteria, which had obviously been planted at Monet’s behest.

 

 

 

 

 

MONET’S HOUSE – HE COLLECTED JAPANESE PRINTS

 

 

 

We returned to the main garden and explored Monet’s house.  We were counted in.  Our batch was ushered first into a room hung with student copies of some of Monet’s paintings.  These were very disappointing, as they did not have the master’s touch.  Also, for some reason, they were nearly all in dreary greyish tones.  Much more captivating was Monet’s collection of Japanese prints, which adorned the rest of the house.  Sadly, it was forbidden to photograph these – so you’ll have to go and see for yourselves!

 

There were two charming bedrooms that I remember – one in very ‘country-style’ with all the furniture painted yellow with blue touches.

 

 

MONET MADE MONEY – WE SEE A ‘STATE OF THE ART’ KITCHEN:

 

 

The same colour scheme was carried out in the dining room downstairs – but it was the kitchen that entirely impressed me.  Clearly Monet had been doing alright: This was a State of The Art Kitchen, circa 1890, if ever I saw one.

 

 

 

MONET’S BLUE AND WHITE TILES

 

 

The whole room was floored in red tiles and walled in blue and white tiles – the wall ones quite tiny.

 

 

MONET’S SUPPERS COOKED IN COPPER PANS

 

 

An entire wall held a shelf of size-ranged copper pans, funnels and other equipment.  There was a good-sized, sturdy, scrubbable table for working on, and later sitting round.

 

 

 

WARMED BY A FIREPLACE AND MONSTER RANGE

 

 

We especially admired the cosy fireplace next to a very large, impressive black-leaded range.  I’m sure it would have been designed for a largish restaurant kitchen.  On my left was a large butler sink, and behind me a cupboard or dresser holding the table china, porcelain, etc.

 

 

 

MONET’S KITCHEN – A PLEASANT WORKPLACE

 

 

I imagine that the staff had good walking exercise getting a meal together – but even so, for it’s time it must have been a joy to work in.  Fully equipped, cheerful and airy.  Warm in winter and cool in summer, with the gorgeous garden to be glimpsed through the glass-topped door.

 

 

MONET’S GIVERNY – WORTH EVERY PENNY

 

 

We left feeling that we had received good money’s worth, and were glad to get back into the car for a welcome sit down.  There is a difference in memory, but I am convinced that I walked the whole thing with my stick.  However, Graham insists that I used the scooter.  Maybe he’s right.  There was certainly a lot of ground covered.

 

 

Text by – Jackie Usher, SWWJ. (aka author Debbie Darkin, & ‘Graham Liverpool’ on Trip Advisor.)
Photographs by – Graham Usher.