Monet’s garden with kids – On the way back to the Eurotunnel we decided to a take a little detour to go via the Monet Foundation. Where it is possible to see Monet’s garden and house. The reason I wanted to go so much is that I have had a thing about Impressionist artist since I was at primary school. We got the option to pick a book as a prize for something or other and I picked one on Impressionist art. Since then I was hooked.
The Monet Foundation is based in Giverny and we anticipated we would need about two hours there do it it justice. Unfortunately events transpired against us so it meant that we only had about an hour. This is partly because the carparks a are a good fifteen minute walk away. Plus once we arrived around mid morning we had to queue for a further twenty minutes to get in. My advice if you are looking to visit is to go early. It opens at 9.30 and this would mean that you should get the close carpark and be able to get in without much of a queue.
Because our time was short we did not spend much time looking at the formal gardens by the house. Although what we did see was beautiful. I can only imagine the number of gardeners they use to keep it looking so colourful. Instead we headed straight to the water lilies. Having been lucky enough to see the originals in Paris a number of years ago, I really wanted to see the ‘bridge’. To get to the water lilies you go to the back of the garden and through an underpass.
As expected it was busy and the pathways around the ponds are two abreast at best. I was also very surprised that you could actually walk over the bridge. Which was great but also made getting a photo interesting. Travelling with young kids also meant we had to take what we could. The area was very beautiful and calming and I would suggest leaving a lot longer than we did to take it all in.
The boys enjoyed walking down the paths and there were many bridges to explore in addition to the main attraction. Plus some giant bamboo. I would have like to spend some time sitting and relaxing. Instead we headed back to the other garden and the house. I think Monkey and I ran round it in under ten minutes. Many of the rooms are brightly furnished and left as they would’ve been when he lived there. I especially liked the yellow dining room and the blue kitchen. Again it would have been nice to spend some more time exploring and looking at the contents of the rooms in more depth. But since we had a fifteen minute walk back to the car this wasn’t a possibility unfortunately. Plus the gift shop was heaving and I wanted to buy a book…
So the lesson is. Go its beautiful. But leave so much more time than the recommend and you will need patience to get that snap on the bridge.
Have you been to Monet’s Garden? I would love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
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Monet’s garden with kids
39 Responses
I’d love to go here. It sounds beautiful, I’d definitely spend the full day there.
Oh wow and it sounds so stupid but it does look like the pictures I have seen! What a stunning place and you had fab weather as well.
Looks magical! I would love to make a visit too!
Amazinh place – what a joy for you all
Oh beautiful. This is definitely somewhere I’d like to go.
Never been but would love to see it those water lilies are beautiful
Lovely photo’s, would love to visit here.
Breathtaking! So, so beautiful. Never visited but I may add this to my bucket list.
It looks absolutely idyllic there! Somewhere I would definitely visit. You took some beautiful photos.
I dont think i have been there. But it sure looks wonderful. I like that part of france. With its small villages.
Beautiful photos l, especially the one with the lillies.
It looks so beautiful and the decor in the house is wonderful as well!
What a beautiful place, definitely worth a visit x
I would love to go to Monet’s house and gardens, and stroll around that stunning scenery. No wonder he was so inspired by it. Shame you didn’t have a lot of time to explore more.
Monet’s lilies!!! Gorgeous scenery for sure. I would love to go there one day.
Lovely photos, looks stunning
I’ve never been here but thank you for sharing this because I am going to take my family here soon!
Ohh I’ve been here! Your kids look like they really enjoyed all the scenery 🙂 I love the Asian inspired paintings on the interior.
everything looks so beautiful! i would so visit it right now! ideal!
Wow, that is such a wonderful place, it’s beautiful and it’s feel so relaxing to be there!
This looks absolutely stunning! What country are these lilies in? I would love to take the whole family and visit!
The place looks stunning, great to visit with kids or grandmas..! Thanks for suggesting, love it.. 😘
How fun! I had no idea there was actually a location for monets painting. What an awesome spot!
I paint and Monet is one of my inspiration so i enjoyed reading this post. Dang i wish i could have the opportunity to visit this place.
Definitely a place for the bucket list, the pictures are stunning x x #BloggersCubUK
This looks absolutely gorgeous! I didn’t even know it existed. Glad you enjoyed it even if it was a bit rushed! #BloggersCubUK
stunning, looks the perfect place to visit, very nice indeed
This looks like a lovely place to visit. And I bet it was amazing to see the water lilies in person. #BloggerClubUK
This looks so lovely. I have never wanted to visit here before as I have heard stories of long queues but this has made me think twice, thanks.
this looks a beautiful place to visit
No. Your pictures are Beautiful! Certainly seems worthwhile visiting.
It looks so beautiful. It must have been an amazing experience for you all. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
It looks absolutely beautiful. Like you, I love The Impressionists and Monet’s Water Lilies is my favourite. To go there would be magical. Perhaps, one day.
Such beautiful scenery xx
Looks beautiful
What a lovely place and with such history too. I would love to go there.
This looks amazing I would love to visit. What an incredible experience
What a wonderful – perhaps I’m stupid but I ‘d never thought the lilies were still a place that could be visited. I guess one could do a Monet road trip and see many of the places he painted.
Never been but looks amazing.
No I havent been but like you say it looks so calm and relaxing and I would have loved to have spent time just relaxing but obviously with children they dont know what relax means lol. Looks beautiful