Gardens in Giverny

My parents arrived a week ago so I've been a little behind in posting. Last weekend we took the opportunity to get out of Paris both days. Aside from the hellish traffic we sat in on Saturday (3 accidents occurred simultaneously), it was nice to get out of the city. 

Our first day took us to Giverny where one of the most famous painters lived and worked from 1883 until his death - Monet. Claude Monet had two passions - painting and gardening. Giverny allowed him to do both. The two large gardens that make up the residence were designed by him. He even paid the city to have the river run directly through the property so that he could keep the gardens green.

The more famous of the two gardens is the water one. This is where he painted his water lilies over, and over, and over again. However, no where in the garden will you find the blue purple water lily flowers because they don't exist. As Monet aged, his eyesight began to fail him and he could no longer see colours in the same way.

The infamous water lilies

In behind his home that he shared with his second wife, Alice Hoschedé, is the second garden. This garden he planted in rows of colours so that he could observe them and then try to replicate their shades in his art. Monet's need to analyze colours was said to be both a joy and a torment for him.

One of the views from the window.

Monet is buried in his family tomb at a small church down the road from where he lived in Giverny.

And for those that know him, Joe finally is making an appearance in the blog! He has been to Paris so many times that he doesn't go out much there but when we head out to a new location, he definitely comes along - bags and all!

Joe hanging out in the water garden