Giverny!

On Friday, Anne graciously offered to drive Tom, me and Jeanne the hour-plus to Giverny, Monet's home west of Paris. Our objective was the exhibition of Caillebotte at the museum in the village.  His works are rarely shown, and it would be an unusual opportunity to see more than a handful at one time.  We left in the morning, with a plan to see Monet's gardens and home before lunch at the museum cafe, then take in the exhibit. 

Monet's home is located next to the road in the small village, separated by a wall.  One enters through the gift shop, which was the atelier for the giant waterlily paintings now in the Orangerie and the Marmottan.  Then one enters the gardens, a vast space of rows of flowers, small lawns with the occasional bench, and flower beds too numerous to count.  It is a riotous place, some beds seem color-coordinated, others seem to work in contrasts.  Some are mixtures of lower plants punctuated by taller blooms like tulips.  It doesn't seem to present a cohesive plan as if the designer wants us to take it all in from a particular point; there are just masses and masses of flowers.

At the bottom of the gardens is a train track and an underground passageway. The passageway leads to the Japanese garden, with its bamboo, waterlilies, and Japanese bridge.   

Our plan was to spend an hour or so in the gardens and house, then have lunch at the museum cafe before visiting the Caillebottes.

Almost three hours later we emerged from the visit to the gardens and house.  

We started with the flower garden.  

We then went into the house.

Now to walk though the flower garden to the Japanese garden on the other side of the railroad tracks. 

 Follow along as we enter the Japanese garden. 

 A view of the Japanese bridge from the far end of the waterlily pond. 

Back through the flower garden....

...arriving at the Impressionist Museum for lunch and the Caillebotte exhibit. 

 A few pieces from the permanent collection were also on display. 

 We were tired, but cheerful after a long day. 

 Time to walk back to the car as the lightening and thunder threatened. 

 We made it back to the car just as the rain started. 

Anne got us safely back to Paris, passing the cathedral at Mantes along the way.  A dazzling day at Giverny!