ompared to the parks of Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles, the gardens of Claude Monet did not gain their popularity as a result of their peculiar design, size or decoration. They became world-famous because they served as a source of inspiration for Claude Monet, the great impressionist painter, who produced wonderful works of art to be admired by generations ahead. People say that Claude Monet created his works twice: firstly, he thoroughly shaped his garden playing with flower patterns and using his imagination of an artist in designing it, and secondly, he made his renowned paintings by “painting from nature.” 

When Claude Monet bought the estate in Giverny in 1883, there was only an orchard, taking the space from the house to the road. Today there lies the rectangular Clos Normand Garden which is divided into flowerbeds where flower clumps of different height create volumes. Fruit and ornamental trees are planted together with climbing roses, which can be seen wound around iron arches along the central alley. The arrangement of flowers by colors, complementing each other, is impressive. Moreover, the simplest flowers (daisies and poppies) are combined with the rarest ones. 

In 1893, Claude Monet bought a piece of land adjoining his property and turned it into the marvelous Water Garden, naturally formed by a tributary of the Epte River. A small pond was dug in the garden. The Water Garden is built with lots of curves and asymmetries and decorated with weeping willows, nympheas, bamboo wood, etc. 

Image copyright © Anne Chrysoteme

The famous Japanese bridge, the image of which is present in many of Monet’s works, is a glorious sight midst of scenery. 

Claude Monet’s house and garden had to be reconstructed after the devastating effects of World War II. Since 1980, they have been open to the public. 
 

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Fruit and ornamental trees are planted together with climbing roses, which can be seen wound around iron arches along the central alley. The arrangement of flowers by colors, complementing each other, is impressive. Moreover, the simplest flowers (daisies and poppies) are combined with the rarest ones.

Images above and to the left
copyright © Steve Fazzio