Water Lilies

Water Lilies at Monet's Garden in Giverny, France

Sometime during the summer I learned that Monet’s Water Lilies was based on a real garden that was open to the public and located about an hour outside of Paris. With this knowledge in hand, Giverny became a way point on the trip back from Mont St Michel.

Giverny was fabulous, although it was a little crowded on the narrow paths. It’s exactly the kind of garden I’d love to have—riotous color, varied texture, and slightly overgrown. The town of Giverny is quiet and small; I think it sees most of its visitors in summer. I imagine it could still be used a retreat from Paris.

Water Lilies at Monet's Garden in Giverny, France

Since the water lilies were still blooming during our visit, it was high tourist season. As with most popular attractions, there was a long line to enter the garden. Here I will reiterate how important it is to book ahead; we used a separate back entrance and didn’t have to wait in any line because I’d pre-booked. At many sites there is an online booking discount, but even without the discount, pre-booking is worth it. See the main sites, but don’t spend your vacation standing in lines.

Useful Links!
Pictures from Our Trip!
Visit Monet's Gardens 
Online Booking of Tickets to Monet's Gardens
Museum of the Impressionists in Giverny
Rick Steve's on Giverny
See the Complete Works of Claude Monet Online