Inspiration in Monet's Gardens

Visiting the Legendary

View from the Second Story Bedroom Looking out over the Clos Normand

For artists with a passion for flowers and gardens, Monet’s gardens in Giverny are the ultimate destination. After years of reading about Monet’s life and gardens, visiting his home, studio and gardens was the icing on the cake for us. The gardens are located in the Valley of the River Epte, about 50 miles west of Paris and took ten years to restore, finally opening to the public in 1980. Monet lived in his home in Giverny for almost 43 years (from 1883 to 1926) slowly developing the gardens as inspiration for his impressionistic paintings. He initially developed the gardens near the house, which he called the Clos Normand. Ten years later, in 1893, he built the water garden, after he was able to purchase additional land across the road. The water garden was based on designs from Monet’s Japaneses prints, and was enlarged over time to include more bridges and plantings. His passion for color is seen in both his lar…