Flowers are planted in sweeps of overlapping color in the gardens. Much like an impressionist painting, the gardens at the Giverny Musée des Impressionismes blur the lines of color so that it takes close inspection to identify the individual flowers planted in the gardens.The village of Giverny, France is the location of the home and gardens of artist Claude Monet. It is just a short stroll down a village lane from Monet's home to the Museum of Impressionism. During our recent visit, the museum had a special exhibit of Monet's garden (jardin) paintings. Monet's paintings are on loan from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. The exhibit runs until August 15.
We went to the art museum to see Monet's paintings and to have lunch. We had already toured Monet's house and gardens during the morning. The lunch of quiche and salad served at the museum cafe was quite wonderful, and I recommend it when visiting Giverny.
It was great to see Monet's paintings of his gardens after seeing his gardens in person. I will be writing about Monet's gardens when I organize the 200+ photos from that visit.
Twenty of Monet's art interpretations of his gardens were on display at the museum. The small Musée des Impressionismes was not crowded during our visit, so we were often alone in the rooms with Monet's garden paintings. During our week in Paris, we also saw Monet's paintings at the Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie (where Monet's famous Water Lilies panels surround an entire room), and the Louvre.
The fact that the art museum grounds are planted with several small gardens was a pleasant surprise and worth a mention to any gardener making a trip to Giverny. These gardens at the Impressionism art museum are nicely organized by hedge divisions, turning each color scheme into an individual garden room. The quaint village lanes in Giverny add to the charm of the gardens.
Forget-me-nots (Myosotis) are often used in combination with tulips. I later identified the variety when visiting the Jardin des Plantes in Paris. The Forget-me-nots are Myosotis sylvatica Sylva series 'Rose' (pink), 'Snow' (white), and 'Blue'.
Since our trip was during the spring bloom, other flowers that we saw included roses, clematis, poppies, pansies, wallflowers, alliums and irises -- and more. Every garden, large or small, was a delight to visit!
Story and photos by Freda Cameron. Location: village of Giverny, France. May 2009
17 comments:
Oh Cameron, what a wonderful trip you went on........looking forward to all the details.
Cameron, I haven't seen this garden in 'spring dress' yet - looks wonderful - thanks for sharing.
Hi Cameron
I'm really taken with the pink garden at the Musee.
I'm looking forward to the photos this week.
Rob
Janet -- it was truly wonderful! France is our favorite country. We just love the friendly people (yes, even in Paris), the gorgeous scenery and the food.
Ewa -- I'm just overwhelmed by how to present "the" gardens of the trip -- Monet's!
Rob -- My husband, at this very moment, is sitting beside me showing me real estate for sale near Chateau l'Eveque in the Dordogne! I think the Dordogne is probably on our "next trip" list.
I have several more detailed photos of the pink garden at the art museum. I can email those to you if you want to break it down into the element of the design. It should be simple as long as you can get plenty of forget-me-not seeds, pansies and tulips. I wonder what they plant there after the spring display?
Cameron
My biggest disappointment was missing this garden when we visited our son when he was in France....seeing it through your eyes and your wonderful photos helps assuage the pain! That pink garden is breath taking and if forget-me-nots would only grow here I would promise to plant tulips to grow with it!
Gail
Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing your pictures, Cameron. I wasn't a gardener when I was last (and first) in Europe, and I'm sure I'd be touring gardens if I ever went back.
They are so beautiful. I always think of Monet when I think of irises. These gardens are just lovely tapestries of color, just like the paintings.
This must have been a beautiful surprise for you. This museum/garden was not around when we last visited over 12 years ago so this is inspiring me to return.
I also love the combination of tulips with forget me nots. Your close up picture is beautiful. We saw that in Kew one year and love it. Now if forget-me-nots were not such a pest after a while, it would be good.
The pictures would make lovely paintings! The gardens are so beautiful!
What a beautiful place to visit with all those beautiful gardens. You must of had a wonderful time!
What beautiful pictures. I'm sure it was a wonderful trip. I hope one day to make it back to France and see these gardens.
This garden was a nice surprise when we visited also. Did you get even farther down the street to see Monet's grave/headstone?
Wow! I don't know how I missed these posts! I'm catching up now though! Beautiful!
Oh I hate you! Just kidding! Wish I were there - I hope to get there one day.
Inspiration ... yes! Thanks Cameron for those of us that dream and can now see it through your lovely photos and text.
Cameron: I was there at the the Musée d'Orsay & Monet's garden..an experience I will never forget..I felt his spirt all around as I toured his gardens..his home..his famous pond with the bridge we all have come to know from his paintings!sigh..I'm ready to go back again!Thank you for these wonderful postings..I am reading them all!! NG
NG -- so glad that these postings "take you back" to your visit. I remember finding the Monet photos on your blog last year! :-)
Cameron
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