As an artist I have always been inspired by the French Impressionists, and particularly Claude Monet. As so it was to be that in June I went to visit Giverny, Normandy France, outside Paris fulfilling a dream.
Together with my husband Peter we stayed in Madam Baudy’s bed and breakfast cottage right in the middle of Giverny, a perfect place to spend a couple of days. It is an ancient building beautifully interior designed with all modern conveniences and a stunning garden in which to relax.
Time to visit Monet……. we had hired a guide and a skip the line pass and funnily enough met a fellow artist from Cambridge on our tour. it’s a strange feeling, walking into a garden and house which you feel you know so well! There are two gardens separated by a road. We went straight to Monet’s Lily Pond Garden to see the famous Japanese bridge. Such a serene scene, you can understand why Monet painted over ……. times in different lights. Interrupted by no one! There were sooo many Japanese tourists everywhere who make the pilgrimage here. Monet loved Japanese art and you can see Japanese influences here.
Then onto the garden in front of the house. It was bursting with flowers in particular roses which smelt amazing. Monet loved his garden, hiring six full time gardeners. Over the course of twelve months different plants bloom adding a profusion of colour constantly.
I intend to try to replicate Monet’s Garden in some way in our own garden having bought a book on his planting scheme per month.
Then the house. Amazing seeing Monet’s three studios where he painted at different times in his life. Paintings by Monet and other artist friends adorn the walls. Colour is everywhere. Loved the pastel shades of woodwork and walls. Upon returning to my studio, I created this painting.
One evening we ate in Hotel Baudy, the ancient hotel where Monet dined with numerous famous artist friends. (Coincidentally we stayed in the house of Madam Baudy which is now owned by Veronique, a perfect host)
Having discovered that Monet lived in Giverny several bearded young artists mainly from America, made their way here on the train and stayed at the hotel. Madam Baudy ensured they had a studio and tennis court! Again, artists’ works are on the walls. We were given access to the garden at the back, a wild garden intended to let nature take its course. It felt like it was untouched by time. There is even an artist’s studio left untouched by time and you can see artists easels and how they worked!
One evening we followed the sounds of a singer and ate in Au Coin du Pain Tre. All the locals eat here, and we were ate the most delicious French food for a very reasonable price.
We visited the Impressionist Museum which had a private collection of Impressionistic masterpieces on display. Loved the English Impressionist Sickert’s artwork. Loved seeing these all together.
We saw Monet’s family tomb in the Church yard here.
Tips when visiting Monet’s Garden avoid weekends. The best time to visit Monet’s Garden on a weekday, is when it first opens at 9.30am or at 4.30pm. It gets extremely busy in from June and throughout the Summer when the water lilies are out. Absolutely full of Japanese and Chinese nationalities. We always buy a fast-track pass from Get your Guide and have a guide take us round.
So much creative Inspiration on one London Trip - I always get excited traveling from Leeds to London by train, arriving at Kings Cross and stepping into the vibrant buzz of the metropolis of culture. I recently visited for a three-day trip with my husband, Peter...........Where to Start?!
Peter Bowerman
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