Jo’s Monday walk : the village of Giverny

Isn't this perfection?

Isn’t this perfection?

I took so many lovely images on my visit to the Monet garden in Giverny.  It was quite hard to leave.  But I had little idea of the other treats that lay in store for me in the village.  I thought that this Monday you might like to join me in a gentle stroll in the Normandy sunshine?  You won’t even need hiking boots!  Sound promising?

Shuttered windows peep from behind a Russian Vine covered hedge

Shuttered windows peep from behind a Russian Vine covered hedge

Claude Monet lived in the village of Giverny from 1883 to 1926 and there is no doubt that it has prospered hugely as a result of this. Still it remains a very charming place and it’s not difficult to see what drew Monet and his artist friends here.  There were only 300 people living in the village when Monet first spotted it from the window of a passing train and decided he wanted to live there.  Today Rue Claude Monet is the principal street of the village.

A legend among the ivy

A legend among the ivy

Normally I save food for the end of my walks but you may remember that I’d already travelled from Paris and spent a couple of hours at the Monet garden.  The Musee des Impressionismes has a very pleasant restaurant and gardens and is just a few steps further along Rue Claude Monet. We had a combined ticket with Monet’s garden, saving a few euros, but you didn’t need to enter the museum to eat in their restaurant, or to see the garden.

I was very happy with my Caesar Salad and vin blanc
While somebody decided he’d earned a big beer
The venue was rather nice
And we even found time to admire the garden

Of course, we had to check out the paintings too, and then it was time to venture into the village. We wandered along, admiring the shuttered windows. They looked so French!

White against soft grey stone
Gentle green on pink, with neatly tied nets
Smart and efficient looking
Smothered in green
Neat and rather stylish
Or carried away on a tide of flowers

 

This artists gallery beckoned me inside

This artist’s gallery beckoned me inside

I stopped a little further along Rue de Claude Monet to peer inside a gallery.  “Come in, come in” beamed the proprietor (in French, of course), patting his head to indicate that I should keep mine low.  I would have loved to start snapping the sea of canvases in the tiny space, but it didn’t seem polite.  I had the impression that we could have become lifelong friends and that I’d take breakfast in the cafe next door.  Fortunately I was rescued by another customer descending the steps, and the ‘patting of head routine’.  A true show of French gallantry.

‘Le Coin des Artistes’ at no. 65 was first a grocery store, then a cafe-bar in Monet’s time, and is now a smart looking bed and breakfast. At no. 81, Hotel Baudy has been recently restored and was also a popular meeting place for artists . A few steps further, Eglise Sainte Radegonde dates from the Middle Ages and is the burial place of Monet and many of his family.

Hotel Baudy
A peep inside
Village life!
The view across the fields to the river
Sainte Radegonde church
Monet’s grave

The village is long and slim and at the end you can turn down to Chemin du Roy to complete a circuit back to your beginnings.  I was much taken with the narrow interconnecting lanes, which reminded me a little of the Wynds in Yorkshire.  Following my nose led to Rue du Milieu (Middle St.) looking over garden walls as I go.  I do like to be nosy!

The prettiest of my 'Wynds'

The prettiest of my ‘Wynds’

A quiet courtyard garden
Over a garden fence
A map of the village

Giverny lies on La Route Normandie Vexin, midway between Rouen and Paris, in the midst of chateau territory.  With the Seine on its doorstep, boat trips are also an option.  I took great delight in this village, which offered me far more than I had expected.  I hope you found it a lovely place to ramble, too.  Indulge me with a last few shots from the Monet garden?

What can you say?

What can you say?

 

And borders full of delight
Joyfully extravagant
And wildly flamboyant

walking logo

I enjoyed my time in France so much!  There may still be a post or two to come but I think that next week’s Monday walk will be back in the UK.  I try to keep them seasonal and the Yorkshire Moors are in full bloom at the moment.  I do hope that you’ll join me but I will have limited time to respond to you as I’ll be back in the Algarve by Monday evening.

There won’t be a Monday walk on 8th September, but I’ll remind you about that next week. Meanwhile, are you ready for a good read?

I think most of you will find Drake’s style much more relaxing than mine  :

Few steps, large atmosphere

While Paula shows us exquisite beauty in Istria  :

Macabre Fresco

I took the hint this week- no steps to  climb!  Here’s a lovely flat walk from Jude  :

A walk along the Dee

Does fun in the sun in Texas appeal?  It will if you join Amy!  :

Lake, river and trails in Austin

Or come and have a hug, and a little history, with Sue’s Mum  :

Canada’s Battle of Batoche-Louis Riel’s last stand

Finally a walk recommended to me by my dear friend Meg.  Have you been to Ethiopia?  :

Walkabout to the Blue Nile Falls

That’s it till next week.  Happy walking!

147 comments

  3. I would love to visit Giverny, to stroll the Monet’s garden and see the beauty that he created and that, in turn inspired his paintings. Beautiful photos Jo, thank you for taking me on such a lovely walk.

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  5. It was lovely to come on this walk with you, Jo, through the French village and gardens of Giverny. I’ve been twice to France and still never made it to Giverny, so this was my way to get there virtually. I find French villages so romantic and charming. 🙂 Your flower pictures are wonderful. I hope you’re having a grand time in the Algarve. xxx

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  11. I was delighted to stroll through the village of Giverny with you. I hope someday to do more than a virtual tour. Your images are just lovely. 🙂

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  13. Two words – absolutely delightful 🙂 Oh Jo I did enjoy this walk to take in the sights of this wonderful village and now I want to go even more. Our neighbours put some info through our door about Giverny and getting there by train from Paris, such was my enthusiasm when I spoke to them about it! So you see, I live in great hope that I will one day tread in your fine footsteps. But meanwhile, I have thoroughly enjoyed taking in the sights through your eyes and as always beautiful photographs. Thank you 🙂

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    1. I sincerely hope you get there, Sherri 🙂 You’ll love it!

      What sort of US Open is it without Rafa? I suppose I should be happy he’s not there because I’d struggle to watch it from the Algarve, but there’s always a way! (I go on Monday 🙂 )

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      1. Will do my very best Jo!

        Oh I know! What’s going on with Rafa? So disappointed 😦 At least you won’t feel bad that you are missing anything when you go away… 🙂

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  14. Perfection indeed Jo! You’ve captured its beauty and the colours so well!

    Good thing, as I don’t have hiking boots! LOL!

    Oh, that Russian vine is gorgeous! I wouldn’t mind having one here as well!

    I would have chosen a salad like that as well. Looks delicious! 😀
    I would have had the beer with it as well. hahahahaha

    What a beautiful garden and absolutely stunning shots hon! That is such a peaceful and beautiful village! I love those shutters!

    What a wonderful trip that must have been and I am so glad I could enjoy it with my virtual visit. Now I need another salad like that and 2 beers just to get ready for the next one. LOL!

    Thanks for sharing all this beauty hon. I truly enjoyed. ♥ Big Hugs ♥

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    1. Thanks a lot, Sonel 🙂 It really was a special place. I’m in the middle of writing about Versailles, which was magnificent, but I will always have a soft spot for Giverny.
      By the way- I know you don’t do Facebook but there was a shared photo of the lovely Olivier on there yesterday. Made me smile 🙂
      Hugs, darlin’.

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      1. Oh, I can only imagine how magnificent that was Jo and I am so glad for the internet and for lovely people like you to let me have my ‘virtual visits’.

        I am not a great lover of FB but I did open an account again. Now I have 3. One of my FB games, one for Family and one for Friends and those who have pages. I will definitely check in on your page. You knew if you used Olivier you’d have me right there and then, didn’t you? hahahahaha! Naughty! 😀

        ♥ Hugs ♥ sweetness. 😀

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      5. Already send you a request. Same here. I just log in once a day, check through all the posts and then go outside and take photo’s … that is after I am finished with the house chores. If the lot of FB depresses me, I go and play my FB games. LOL!

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  17. In love with this special place – I took out my photographs from when I was at Giverney. So many wonderful memories – you’ve captured this place in all her glory.

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  19. Hi Jo. What a charming village this is. Small, intimate, with beckoning pathways and of course, lovely flowers everywhere. I’m sure we’ll go when Ron’s workshop is over, and we’ll want a respite from the city. I’m so happy for you that you made this trip.

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    1. I just strolled those lanes again, peacefully but with a cup of coffee in hand and a sunrise through the window behind me. It’s a good time of day for me, Gem. Welcome to my world. 🙂

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