spring guests to monet’s garden

by Sharon Santoni

The weather may have been throwing its worst at us this week, but we don’t mind, a pair of boots, a hat and we are still game to get out and about.

When I visited  Giverny  last week, I was a little too early for my favourite season when the irises and peonies are on show.

But the lily pond looked calm and magical, and the gardens were a riot of colour with all the spring flowers.
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  The tulips were magnificent, and by their thousands!
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And peonies in bud, are really almost as stunning as fully opened.
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I’ll just have to go back next week! If you ‘ve already been to Giverny, do you have a favourite moment of the year?

36 comments

The enchanted home April 30, 2012 - 1:12 pm

Wish I could click my heels and be transported there this very minute!!!!! Takes me away to a peaceful beautiful place where all you hear are the birds, ahhhhhh.

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Michele @ The Nest at Finch Rest April 30, 2012 - 1:13 pm

No I haven't, but looking at your beautiful pictures I would certainly dream of doing so!

Magnificent!

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jenny cunningham April 30, 2012 - 1:24 pm

Beautiful! Last week I went to the garden at St. Paul Mausole, in St Remy de Provence where Van Gogh spent a year in the asylum and painted Irises..your pic reminded me of how luck we are to walk in the footsteps of these amazing French artists!

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Nancy April 30, 2012 - 1:56 pm

I've only been there once. It was October. I was a little worried about whether or not it would be disappointing. No. Definately not. It was beautiful! I would love to go in the spring though. And, how lucky you are to be able to just drop in from time to time.

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Anonymous April 30, 2012 - 2:01 pm

I can tell you that the closest I will get to Monet's garden is in my purse, I carry a pocket planner calendar with different paintings of his for each month. I am so glad you posted pictures of the garden, I am going to transport myself there in my dreams !

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Vava, A country dreaming mum April 30, 2012 - 2:08 pm

I landed here just jumping from one blog to the next, and here I stopped … your posts are charming, your story is charming, you house is lovely! I will keep visiting. All the best from Italy.
Silvana

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Nancy's Notes April 30, 2012 - 2:10 pm

Absolutely stunning! I'll make it there one day~

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astrawberrypatch April 30, 2012 - 2:11 pm

I dream of seeing this garden one day! Thanks for posting!

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Lost in Provence April 30, 2012 - 2:19 pm

Oh what a lovely, lovely post to start the week. Giverny is just pure magic, isn't it? I have only been twice–in June and in October (I think) and both experiences were so different! But to be there now, in the quiet…how incredible. So full of promise.

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manon 21 April 30, 2012 - 2:21 pm

Un endroit que je rêve de visiter…

belle journée

manon

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david terry April 30, 2012 - 2:30 pm

Dear Sharon,

Here's a fact to amuse you this morning. I promise you that I'm not willy-nilly making this up (quite frankly, if I were bent on concocting stories, I'd come up with something a bit more impressive).

FACT: If it weren't for two tres slight, historical variances, I (yes…Little Me, from East Tennessee) would be La Comtesse de Giverny. that's right…the Countess of Giverny.

…if only Herve's paternal grandmother had been a boy, and I were a girl. Then, you and everyone else would, presumably, have to address me by a title far grander than just "David".

Herve's mother (a very practical professor of 17th century literature in Tours who happens also to be a Socialist) was, a couple of years ago, very amused to point out this forever-lost-chance to me.

Turns out that my father-in-law's grandfather (I think I've got this right) was the Comte de Giverny…a title which didn't descend to a daughter (the paternal grandmother)and which, to be frank, didn't require actually living-in or being-from Giverny. Nor did it carry any actual money or land along with itself.

It was, in effect, a "gift title", of just the sort with which remarkably helpful jews (which is what that branch of Herve's family was) were rewarded in the 18th century.

As my mother-in-law (who's perfectly fluent in English) told me "….SO, you would have been able to style yourself a countess, but you'd also have been a jewish countess. So, there would be very little "le snob" appeal, you see? Particularly once the war had arrived…."

I agreed with her that I probably shouldn't attempt impressing folks with the tale of how-I-came-THIS-close to being a Jewish Countess. with neither land nor money.

I also find the tale amusing….particularly since, as a Southerner, I grew up surrounded by folks chattering about how, if it weren't for a few, very-minor historical "accidents" (a Civil War, Two collapses of the entire economy, etc), they'd be aristocrats who owned the entire state of South Carolina.

As for the gardens at St. Paul Masole (and Imean this quite sincerely, also)?….

I first saw them about five years ago. After decades of tromping through various sites/houses/gardens, in England and America, which are "dedicated to" or memorials-to any number of writers or artists, I was fairly immune to the charms of such sites.

St. Paul Mausole, however, was different. It's pretty, of course (such places always are)…but it was the first-place-ever where I felt (and I know this is a terrible cliche, but I mean it)the "presence" of the writer/artist. It was wonderfully affecting…and a really powerful experience that I still think of…often.

Herve took a picture of me, standing by the window in Van Gogh's room, which overlooks the back garden. I posted it on Facebook, and immediately had an inbox filled with variations on "Oh my god….that's THE SAME BED that's in the famous painting"…."That's EXACTLY what's in his painting of the room!"

I explained that the room had simply been closed-off after Van gogh's stay there. Intriguingly enough, it wasn't re-opened until WW2, at which time German nationals were held there. Van Gogh's room was re-opened and became, for four or so years, Albert Schweitzer's room.

Isn't that fascinating?

thanks for the obviously evocative post,

david Terry
http://www.davidterryart.com

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Anne April 30, 2012 - 2:58 pm

Oh what a beautiful post! Love all the photos!!

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Anne Marie April 30, 2012 - 3:10 pm

His gardening technique and layout/form were just as breathtaking as his paintings…I have a video on his gardens…I do think his planting combonations are some of my favorite – as well as the use of structure with plants

I am so envious you are able to go Sharon…I would absolutely love to stroll those gardens with you

Have a beautiful day…and would love to see more of your photographs of his gardens – (and yours)
xo+blessings,
Anne Marie

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Splenderosa April 30, 2012 - 3:15 pm

Your posts are my haven. Sending love, Sharon…
& see you tomorrow for BIO.
xx's

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Lore @ everydayart April 30, 2012 - 3:41 pm

I already have the tickets for the four of us to visit the gardens and house of Monet on July, when we will be staying with you. I don't know if it is going to be the best season (I imagine Spring and autumn are the best, but still…).This post is adding more detail to my dreams! thanks, Sharon.

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david terry April 30, 2012 - 3:57 pm

P.S. In my reply, I should have said "WWI", rather than "WW2". Rather obviously, German nationals weren't the ones being interned in Northern France during the 1940's.

—-david terry

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vicki archer April 30, 2012 - 4:38 pm

Your lily pond image is magical Sharon…. one of your loveliest I think… and David… you will be forever in my mind as 'Countess' from now on!
xv

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I Dream Of April 30, 2012 - 4:52 pm

Sharon, your photos just took me back to one of the most beautiful times in my life – I went to Giverny to paint and we were given access to Monet's garden after hours when it was empty except for the gardeners — you almost expected Monet himself to round one of the paths. The irises were out, as were the roses and the peonies – some tulips still hanging on. It seems like a dream, but it's nice to have proof through your photos that the garden truly does exist! Merci!

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Kris April 30, 2012 - 5:08 pm

Beautiful photos. I've never been Giverny but hope to one day if only in my dreams. Spring is my most favorite time of the year.

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Mrs. Sutton April 30, 2012 - 5:11 pm

Giverny looks breathtaking, I hope that I can visit there someday. I too, absolutely adore peonies, but I'm really enjoying seeing all of the magnificent displays of Tulips that are around just now as well. This Autumn, I PROMISE that I will plant some for next Spring. Lovely post as always Sharon! x

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PURA VIDA April 30, 2012 - 5:54 pm

Peonies are my most very favorite to see and smell

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J. Beaudet April 30, 2012 - 6:33 pm

I can see why so much inspiration was born from the gorgeous place! Someday…
Your photography is stunning:)
Jenniferxox

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Cheryl April 30, 2012 - 7:09 pm

Just breathtaking. Thank you for this post. Your photography is superb! David, thanks for sharing your story too…it's fun to imagine the "if only's" in our lives.

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Jenny Schouten Short April 30, 2012 - 7:43 pm

I saw Giverny in September this past fall. It was filled with sunflowers. We just saw Keukenhoff Saturday in Sussenheim, NL. It was cold and wet but we loved it anyway. The tulips do, too. 🙂 Jenny

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Anonymous April 30, 2012 - 9:49 pm

The first time I went to Giverny, it was June and I got sick in the restroom and was ministered to by some very kind ladies in the museum, while my husband toured and took many pictures to share with me. The second time it was September and it began to softly rain while we were there. and yet it was still beautiful and I have lovely memories.

I would love to go back, but I don't know if it will happen.

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ChaumiereLesIris April 30, 2012 - 10:09 pm

It looks gorgeous! I had held off visiting in April thinking it wouldn't be in bloom. How wrong was I!

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Gatsbys Gardens May 1, 2012 - 12:56 am

Love Monet and will be back for your subsequent trip back to his gardens.

Eileen

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The French Tangerine May 1, 2012 - 3:06 am

I've been to Giverny! Some 25 years ago during a college art history trip.. just lovely and charming times ten, isn't it? even in the rain, I'm sure..
XO
Jan

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zanetastyle May 1, 2012 - 7:17 am

Monet is The best and your photos are magical taking me on my today's imaginary trip to where ever they have spring(: it is not Alberta Canada … Thanks!! Ciao z

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Looking Glass May 1, 2012 - 9:07 am

So dreamy! Gorgeous photos.

~ Clare x

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Susan Eulalie Mathison May 1, 2012 - 12:25 pm

Visited Giverny in June a few years back. The gardens were in full bloom and the colors were spectacular- both the gardens and the interior of Monet;s home. I loved that he used brilliant colors in each of his rooms to mirror the intensity of the colors in the garden. Cannot wait to return.

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Country French Judi May 1, 2012 - 1:58 pm

Beautiful! I was just in Paris, April 6-13th. My 4th trip to France. It was rainy most of the week and on that Tuesday we went on our prepaid excursion to Monet's house and garden and Versailles. We could not really walk the gardens because it was pouring, pouring rain so it is nice to see your pics as a gentle reminder as to how beautiful it is. We loved the house inside and it was such a thrill to actually walk in the home. I can never get enough of France!!!!

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Country French Judi May 1, 2012 - 2:02 pm

You made the smart decision! Everything was in bloom but it as been raining most of the month!

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Anonymous May 1, 2012 - 5:12 pm

I visited the gardens two years ago in Aug. I was the second person in line waiting to get in and I ran straight for the lily pond. I managed to get some photos without any other visitors in them, b/c it could get rather crowded with all the tourists visiting. I loved it then, because the pond was full of water lilies. The water lilies were not fully open that early in the cool summer morning. They opened later in the afternoon after the temperature heated up a bit. I think visiting during the spring when the wisteria is in full bloom on the bridge would be breathtaking.

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My Grama's Soul May 2, 2012 - 11:48 pm

We went in April…..it was cool and inviting at that time of year.

Jo

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Donna Wilkinson June 29, 2020 - 7:15 pm

We visited Monet’s gardens many years ago, in 1993. We were staying with our French friends, who lived in Conflans St. Honorine, and Francine drove us through the countryside with narrow winding roads. We felt so special as she parked her car and we ventured out to have our little picnic on one of the benches, as hordes of people were getting off numerous buses, probably on tour. We got our own private tour from Francine…..Will never forget the serenity and beauty. And I loved the inside of his home!

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