Giverny- not a walk, more of a linger!

What could be more lovely than a pond full of water lilies?

What could be more lovely than a pond full of water lilies?

It was a very special day, for three reasons:

1.  I got to ride upstairs on a ‘double decker’ train (twice!)

2.  It was our Silver Wedding anniversary

3.  We visited Monet’s fabulous Giverny!

Just a couple of weeks before we had watched Monty Don browsing the borders in splendid isolation (except for the camera crew).  We joked that we might not find quite so much space on the iconic bridge, and so it proved.  But I couldn’t honestly say that it detracted one bit from the occasion for us.  It was, quite simply, fabulous!

Here's just one example!

Here’s just one example!

Based in central Paris, I had pre-booked train tickets from Gare St. Lazare to Vernon, the nearest railway station to Giverny.  Apart from a few moments of anxiety when the ticket machine wouldn’t cooperate, all went smoothly.  Soon I was safely ensconced upstairs on my SNCF super smart train, strong coffee and pain au chocolat et noisettes stickily in hand.

The train glided out of the station and I spent the first few minutes replying to all the messages of goodwill and trying not to get my phone sticky.  51 minutes later I was disembarking at Vernon and boarding a ‘navette’ or shuttle coach for the 15 minute ride to Giverny.

Bathed in gentle sunshine, I was pleased to discover that the queue outside Monet’s house was quite short (miniscule by Versailles standards!)  I listened to different accents from around the world as I edged forward, with rising excitement.  I almost had to pinch myself!  Just a murmur of doubt- would it live up to expectations?- before I was at the ticket office.

You probably know how it looks from TV and books?

You probably know how it looks from TV and books?

Little ‘pops’ of colour
And subtle beauties
As well as flamboyant creatures like this
Delicates like these
Classic beauties
And bronze-leafed flirts

Everywhere I looked, I fell in love!  Wouldn’t you?

Just a world full of loveliness!

Just a world full of loveliness!

And then we meandered by the stream

Then we meandered by the stream

And found another kind of beauty!

And found another kind of beauty!

I had been enchanted by these two little girls since I saw them skipping across the road from the railway station, in pink wellies on a sunny day.  I had tried to take a photo of them sitting, heads together, on a bench, but when I asked if I might, they took flight. Mother’s warning not to talk to strange ladies!  So how could I resist when I found them with Mum, on Monet’s bridge?

You know what's coming next, don't you

You know what’s coming next, don’t you?

The water lilies, of course!

The water lilies, of course!

 

Captured from every conceivable angle
Beside a boat
And through a variety of pretty flowers
Like these
And as close as I could get
Without falling in!

Then, a threat of rain.  We headed back towards the house, still marveling at the beautiful borders.

And plants such as these

Full of plants such as these

And this burgeoning beauty

And this burgeoning beauty

Of course, everyone had the same idea.  While the gardens had been easy to admire, with a little patience and good timing, the house was the only shelter from the sudden downpour.  Despite this, I was delighted with it and the light-heartedness of the gaily coloured rooms.  Pretty pastel walls were adorned with the oriental pieces that Monet had loved.  I snapped with enthusiasm until I was advised that photography within the house was not allowed.  I don’t suppose I should but I’m going to share just one image.  It might encourage you to make the journey, mightn’t it?

Don't tell, will you?

Don’t tell anyone, will you?

And after the rain?  Glorious sunshine, causing the plants to lift their heads and smile.

A rain-kissed blossom

A rain-kissed blossom

Among a sea of beauty

Among a sea of beauty

Such as this!

Such as this!

I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing our special day.  Whenever anyone mentions Giverny from now on I will be able to return to this little bubble in time.

There’s still a little more to come but nothing can top Giverny for me.  I’ll let you decide for yourself.  Many thanks for reading and for your continuing support.  My world would be a much emptier place without you.

128 comments

  1. Such beauty ! You wouldn’t need to offer shots of the interior of the house with gardens looking like that, Jo … Your photos provide much joy, my dear – thank you !!!

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    1. You’re very welcome, M-R. I was totally smitten with them 🙂
      Grateful thanks for your aid the other day. You might have noticed that I’ve gone back to my old Grav, which I still like (and it still looks like me, so that’s ok 🙂 ) Mick took a decent photo of me on ‘the bridge’ which I’m going to load and follow the instructions properly, when I find time and patience. Not good at these things, as you gathered 😦

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  6. How marvellous Jo. I’m only looking on my phone at the moment so Ill be sure to have a look at full sized photos when I get home. And you’ve inspired me to make the trip myself. Sometime soon! And congratulations again! Xx

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  8. the most romantic of places for your special day – quelle belles fleurs and thank you for the tour. Loved lingering here

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  12. I’m sitting in a dentist’s waiting room, waiting for the kids and catching up on some blogs on my new phone. And there, in brilliant colour, are your gorgeous, gorgeous photos! What a way to baptise the new purchase. Thank you! 🙂

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  13. First of all, congratulation on your silver wedding anniversary to you both. That’s quite an achievement in this day and age 🙂

    I’m very envious of your visit to Giverny as Monet is, without doubt, my favourite painter. I’ve seen most of his paintings in Paris (including the HUGE water lily paintings), but sadly have never found the time to visit his home….. yet!

    It’s still on my list, Jo – and thanks for the guided tour in the meantime.

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    1. You won’t regret going, Marianne! I’m a huge Monet fan too and I loved Musee d’Orsay but to see that garden for real is something special.
      It was a fitting venue for the Silver Wed 🙂 Thank you!

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  17. What a lovely way to celebrate. Giverney is somewhere to go back to again and again, at different seasons. You were there at dahlia time (and hydrangeas), whereas we were there in Spring, with such different flowers, though I regret missing the irises. We went first thing in the morning, so not so many people. Must go again!

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      1. The only trip that I could find was very expensive and it seemed to take almost 2 hours to get to Giverny. So we went to one of the museums outside Paris where they have some of his paintings. but the garden is still on my wish list.

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    2. The way we did it was inexpensive but without the security of an organised trip. I agree, they were outrageously expensive but it’s quite a way out of Paris. It was easy enough- I hope you get there! 🙂

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