Beautiful Monet Gardens

Whilst in Paris we took a half day trip up to the gardens of the Monet family. We travelled by minivan, with a very informative driver who assured us that it was because of the light that Monet settled in this area north east of Paris. Well... who's going to believe that?? Yet as we entered the valley the light seemed to become quite luminescent, and by the time we reached Giverney, I was a believer!

Monet, and other impressionists like Bonnard whose works we saw in a small art gallery before the garden visit, investigated the reflection of colours and the blurring of lines, subjects close to hand in their works, not the stark, precise impersonal paintings of the preceding era.

The house was filled with copies of Monet works - and although not the originals, at least we could get up close.

The waterlilies were not yet out under the famous bridge, inspired by Japanese artists who had made their way to Paris in the late 1800's

A warm spring had bought the tulips on early, not only here but all over Paris too. (must have put their bulbs in the fridge, Lyn)

The plots were laid out with a casual country air.

with artistic vistas everywhere

The Japanese tourists loved it, especially with the links to Japanese art, which really surprised me.

Duncan was not only impressed by the gardens, but also gained quite an insight into some of Phyl's styles of painting.

The trip back took us past the Nazi headquarters in France - so close to Paris. It looked scary.