Claude Monet's Home and Gardens, Giverny

This is part 4 of my visit to Giverny, France.

After strolling through the beautiful Le Clos Normand, the garden by Monet's house, I made my way to the underground passage, which leads to the second garden. During Monet's time he had to cross train tracks to get to the other part of his garden. Monet bought this neighboring property ten years after his arrival at Giverny, it sat on the other side of the railway tracks. He had a pond dug up and later enlarged; and in order to fill it in Monet had the stream Ru, an arm of the river Epte, partially diverted. Monet's inspirations were prints he has seen of Japanese gardens.

We got very lucky that when we got to the water garden the crowds were scarce, and we could take our time admiring its lush beauty. It was quiet, peaceful, and the numerous frogs creaking in the pond created the only sounds.

There were moments I felt as if I stepped into a painting. How lucky was Monet to be living here?

These beautiful weeping willow trees add such grace to this stunning garden.

Monet commissioned local craftsman to build the Japanese bridge, but what we see today is a reconstruction made of beech wood. The wisterias, which cover the bridge, were not in season while I visited, which gives me another reason to return!

This is the underpass from Le Clos Normand to the water garden.

Joanna

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