At our little Parisian hotel we discovered that they offered day trips out of the city right from the hotel. All you had to do was tell the front desk clerk you wanted to schedule a trip and then voila, a van pulls up to your hotel, and along with a few other passengers away we go. We were whisked off to Normandy, to see the gardens of Claude Monet in Giverny, France.
After we got off the freeway, we entered into the country side of Normandy. You can barely see the pillars of the old bridge that was bombed and destroyed during WWII
Upon entering the little village of Giverny this is what you see....hollyhocks growing along the roadside wild...
This is the village, not very big at all.
After we parked we followed this trail that kept saying lily ponds ahead...when we finally got there, we just came out from the brush... and this was my first view... of this utterly amazing spot on planet earth...I was swooning a little...hehehe
These pictures don't even begin to do justice of coarse...the willows were weeping alllllll over the place...sigh
A parting shot of the famous wisteria bridge...the wisteria were done blooming, but that didn't matter too much...we were about to enter the GIANT bouquet! (see header)
What completely took me off guard in this garden was how much everything was grown up on structures into the air. Plants were just surrounding us from overhead and dripping from the air.
This is Monet's home. I didn't even bother going inside. It was hot, the line was long, and you could not tear me away from this garden dlb sigh....
Heading out of the village, one more parting shot of bliss
As we traveled back to our hotel, the driver took the scenic route and gave us a grand tour of the countryside. These are just a few shots out of the van windows.
Goodbye Normandy, someday I hope to be back to perhaps see those famous cliffs and beaches...
19 comments:
Ooooh La La...I think I've seen these before. ;)
But everytime I do, they get even more inviting and breath taking than before. You just have to take me there some day sister dear. And I guess we'll let the guys tag along too! Tee Hee
Never mind the cliffs and beaches of Normandy...you saw the gardens and that's what really matters! It looks amazing...from the ponds and willows to the hollyhocks and roses.
Thanks for joining our 'Let's Take a Trip' tour...and showing us around Giverney.
These are all picture postcards. What a thrill to go to the very place where the legendary artist found and painted his inspiration. The house looks darling, I think I *might* have waited in line, but then again, those gardens might have been too much temptation to resist leaving even for a few minutes.
That was some day trip, I'll say!
Thanks so much for commenting on my blog....I enjoyed my trip to Ireland very much!
Your photos from Giverny and Monet's garden are so beautiful! I'd love to go there myself someday.
I loved the photos of little "Puddin Toes" on your sidebar -- what a darling little girl!
Hugs, Pat
Oh my! I watched the recent movie about Monet and his buds...can't remember the title...loved it. What a beautiful world he created so that he could re-create it on canvas. Do you have any ideas about creating structures for any of your plants...loved your description of them.
Beautiful place. Hard to believe that 64 years ago, a great battle was fought there. Thanks for sharing the pictures. I'll be Dan would have like to see the war zone though!!!
Vee:
Funny you should notice my enthusiasm about the structures in Monet's gardens. Seeing that garden very much influenced me. I have many (14) roses climbing on two sets of rustic pergolas on both sides of my property. I have several climbing roses on trellises, and I am on the hunt for a Monet arch to frame the view out the back of my property. On Puddin Toes birthday I planted two Eden climbing roses in honor of her, that will some day cover that arch and frame my view. And yes, her real name is Eden!
What absolutely beautiful pictures. The gardens, the homes, the little village.
One day I'll have to go and see it all with Tom.
Thanks for dropping by my blog. These pictures are so pretty. As I told you before, I can see why Monet was so inspired. Thank the Lord we have our vision and can see His beauty. I always enjoy your blog.
Gorgeous!! Oh, those lovely lily ponds - I would have wanted to stay all day.
I've never seen a place more beautiful...Did you say it was called "Eden" .....just absolutely gorgeous gardens...I'm thinking that is what I want Heaven to look like :) Blessings...have a great weekend...Dee Dee
I am amazed at how beautiful this place is. The lilly pads and the weeping willows, all the beautiful flowers! You take very good pictures and I am glad you shared with us. I would love to visit this place someday.
Have a great weekend!
Dear Sister,
My heart lept when I read your comment that you left to me about IHOP. I tell everyone about the Prayer Room, but you are the only other person that I know that subscribes to the webstream. WooHoo!
Have you heard Justin Rizzo,Corey Asbury and Audra Lynn....all great.
My heart aches to be in Paris at times. I know I could live there and be so at home and content, except... for missing the kids and grandyoung'ns.
Thank you for writting. I can't wait to share more favorites. By-the-way the slide show is not my pictures, but one I downloaded in a hurry until I can put some of mine on there. Your pictures are breathless. Both of our trips to Paris were in January/February.
His Child
Pat: Your welcome, thanks for dropping by. We do think Puddin Toes is a charmer around here.
Lavinia: Being an artist, I was thrilled to be able to have visited this incredible garden. What I didn’t mention was that in town there was the American Art Museum housing paintings represented by all the American artists that came to visit Monet and painted in his garden with him. Can you imagine? They would not let us take photos in there. So my memory of the artists and their works are a little vague…I do remember Mary Cassette and John Singer Sargent… You know I should post some of my pictures of the D’Orsey down the road…hhhmmm note to self for future postings…
DeeDee: I did feel like I was in “Eden”
Darlene: It was so great to see the place where all those famous pictures were painted!
Thanks for stopping by, and do come again.
His child: so very nice to meet you…I haven’t been on line with IHOP long enough to know all the folks, but I have enjoyed Misty Edwards’s ministry for several years now. My son went to IHOP years ago when she was just starting out. He wanted to marry her :]
Great photolog WWI. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. Come and visit anytime. Pappy
Such beautiful pictures you took of Monet's garden. I have never been there but almost feel I have after your pictures. Thanks.
Have seen the Hollyhocks growing wild along walls in mant parts of France though if one is there at the right time.
I have an award for you on my blog.
Oh my goodness... I am so thankful to Barbara for awarding the Arte Y Pico to you... so I could find your beautiful blog!! I can certainly see why she did, as your photos of all things garden are just stunning!! I am very happy to have found you and am subscribing to your link so I will not miss updates!
Blessings,
Christi from Charm & Grace
It's no wonder that Monet wanted to paint his garden, especially his green bridge overlooking the water lilies. thank you for sharing this post with me, I love everything about Monet. It looks like you had an incredible visit to a piece of heaven.
Karen
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