Spring is Purple, at Giverny

With a few touches of pink, blue and complimentary orange.

Along the walkway, in front of the American Museum, are a series of 'rooms', small areas, enclosed by hedges and themed in colors.  This is one of the 'Blue Rooms'

The American Museum showcases works from American artists.  The museum also welcomes both American and French students with grants, to live, study and paint at Giverny....

Sigh.....

Photos are not allowed inside Monet's house, which has been perfectly restored to reflect life with Monet.  One is allowed to take a photo from Monet's bedroom window, which gives a lovely view of the walled, Norman gardens below.

 

Visitors are not allowed on the interior paths of the walled garden... which means one gets to take photos without the tourists hordes. 

One of the many side paths in the walled garden.  The day we were there was a public holiday in France, VE Day.  There were crowds everywhere but the gardens are very well managed... As you can see by the lack of people in the photos.

Of course, we did get there in the morning before the bus loads from Paris.

Another path... With all of the purple, the orange really makes an impression.

There is an underground passage from the walled garden to the water lily pond and Japanese gardens.  The wisteria covering the foot bridge over the water lily pond was planted by Monet.

It takes 30 days of water temperatures above 16C (70F) before the water lilies bloom.  All I can do is use my imagination gazing across the pond.  Meanwhile, that red bush is rather spectacular!

The tulips were about done, but there were still a few prime specimens.  Please don't expect me to tell you what kind...

Did I mention the wisteria being in full bloom?

Just so you know we did more than look at flowers... We also looked at this 12th century castle built by Richard, Coeur de Leon, to defend Normandy from the French.

For more photos - there's a link to the album in the side bar.

Comments

[Pat]

Thanks Katie, it is as beatiful as I remembered and more!! Lovely castle too. We were a bit later in the year, so missed the wisteria in bloom and the tulips. They are gorgeous!!!

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

to live, study and paint at Giverny.... yes that makes me sigh also.
Makes me think if you've seen it once, you still need to go back.
Beautiful Katie.

[Zoomie]

Thanks for taking us along - lovely, lovely! I was there in high summer so the nasturtiums were the dominant bloom then. Both are breathtaking!

[Ulrike]

Thanks for all the beautiful pictures!

[Lisa]

Just beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing these with us.

[bleeding espresso]

*Love* wisteria. Thank you so much for sharing :)

[Heidi]

Absolutely breathtaking. Thanks for posting these pictures...

Heidi

[deb]

I bet it was hard leaving such a beautiful garden! Thank you so much for sharing. I have looked at this quite a few times! The colors are stunning. I can just imagine what it looks like in person.
In your previous post, I can totally relate to your foot problem. All year round, since it is warm here, I never wear shoes in the house. Outside, flip-flops or Teva sandals. So when I go to the mainland and have to wear shoes - ouch!

[Simona]

Lovely photo essay: I enjoyed every single image.

[Lydia]

Thank you for sharing Giverny. It's been many years since I've been there, and now I feel like I've visited again.

[TBTAM]

Always wanted to visit.

Thanks for the virtual tour.

[katie]

Thanks, everyone. I highly recommend a visit - take a picnic and make a day of it as the French do.
Or have a leisurely lunch at one of the restaurants as we did.

[tigerfish]

I just fell in love...with all those pictures :D

[JennDZ_The Leftover Queen]

Absolutely breath-taking! How amazing it must have been for you walking in those famous gardens!

[J]

Lovely lovely photos - I've never been to Giverny, but now I almost feel as if I have. And great to know - for the first time - that the tourist traffic is managed so well

Thanks for sharing

Joanna

[katy]

gorgeous -- is there anywhere more beautiful? i doubt it.

[Katie]

It was truly amazing, and we were so lucky with the flowers - I really wanted to see the wisteria!

[Cymry]

Truly gorgeous. The frilled-edge tulips are stunning..must find them somewhere.

I made the inappropriate footwear whilst hiking mistake once. Profuse bleeding and scars that last over a year usually serve as sufficient reminder not to try it again ;) It was the first time I had ever climbed a mountain. Being a city-slicker flatlander at the time, I thought clogs were the standard. Too many black and white movies of the Alps perhaps. I did climb that mountain though..to the top and back down. Umm possibly cried.

[Katie]

Cymry, there is nothing worse than bleeding feet. When I bought my hiking boots I walked in them for hours before going up the mountains. But I never think to do the same for a stroll in the gardens...

[Deborah Dowd]

Thanks for that beautiful glimpse into the glory of Spring- what a beautiful place!

[Jeni]

Wow, wow and wow...what a delight to see springtime in Giverny. Thank you!

Sorry I've been away so long. Life got full. But I'll be back soon.

[katie]

Deborah, You're welcome...It was fantastic!

Jeni, don't I know what you mean... Mine is on the verge of explosion.... I'll tell all later!

[Jeanne]

I've always wanted to go to Giverny. Just look at that wisteria!! And I suspect the spetacular red bush is a rhododendron. Beautiful pics!

[katie]

Jeanne, GO! I would suggest May, for the wisteris and iris, or July, for the water lilies and roses... I want to go back!