The charming village of Giverny is known primarily for its connection to Claude Monet and his breathtaking gardens. Well, it has also served as a picturesque backdrop for the popular Netflix series Emily in Paris. Claude Monet’s house and gardens, shown in episode two, are a must-see destination for design and art enthusiasts.
Claude Monet’s Garden In Giverny
It's G-Day in the A-Z of France! What's your fav place beginning with G?
📷 Claude Monet's house & garden, Giverny, Normandy#thegoodlifefrance pic.twitter.com/70z0e2mirV— The Good Life France (@lifefrance) January 12, 2023
From 1883 to 1926, the chateau in Giverny, Normandy, served as the French painter’s private sanctuary. It was renovated in the late 1970s, and it’s clear how the vibrant property and surrounding countryside influenced his impressionistic paintings.
The garden, particularly the water garden with its Japanese bridge, water lilies, and weeping willows, became the subject of many of his later works, encapsulating the essence of his Impressionist style.
The water garden is dominated by the pond, which is covered with water lilies that bloom throughout the summer. The pond has weeping willows, bamboo, and a variety of other trees and plants that create a tranquil, almost meditative atmosphere. The centrepiece of the water garden is the Japanese bridge, draped with wisteria in the spring. This bridge, with its graceful curves and reflection in the water below, is one of the most iconic images of Giverny and has been immortalised in many of Monet’s paintings.
Monet was fascinated with the interplay of light and water. He spent countless hours observing how the light changed throughout the day and how it affected the colours and reflections in the pond. This fascination is evident in his “Water Lilies” series.
The House Of Monet: A Peek Into The Artist’s Life
Claude Monet's garden at Giverny, Normandy opens today – it's one of the most beautiful gardens I've ever seen…https://t.co/CFDjso7gUL pic.twitter.com/IlR6PifRac
— The Good Life France (@lifefrance) March 23, 2018
Monet’s house at Giverny is as much a part of the experience as the gardens themselves. The pink stucco house, with its green shutters, is a reflection of Monet’s personality and tastes. Inside, the rooms are filled with the warmth and charm of a lived-in home, with many of the original furnishings still in place. One of the most striking rooms in the house is the kitchen, with its blue-and-white tile work and copper pots gleaming from the walls. The dining room, painted in a vibrant yellow, is another highlight, showcasing Monet’s love for colour not just in his art, but in his everyday life. Many of the other rooms, including the private bedrooms and the artist’s studio, have been painstakingly restored and reproduced to reflect their original state during Monet’s stay.
Today, Giverny is a place of pilgrimage for art lovers and gardeners alike, drawing visitors from around the world who come to see the place that inspired one of the greatest artists of all time. So, have you visited this beautiful place yet?
Cover image credits: Netflix