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My recent reading (“Berthe Morisot” by Dominique Bona) as well as the new exhibition at theMusée d’Orsay(in english : Click here)dedicated to the artist, led me to write this article This exhibition is a unique opportunity to discover or rediscover the work of this amazing artist, one of the greatest French impressionist painter. I hope my article will make you feel like visiting this exhibition and discovering more about the life and work of this amazing artist ! To book you ticket :CLICK HERE
Throughmy recent reading ‘Berthe Morisot“ (Dominique Bona, French author), I discovered a woman whose life is as fascinating as her painting : she defought the conventions to live her life and art on her way, with an unfailing determination, at a time when women did not have careers outside of their home and marriage.Her art is fascinating : she is a key figure in the founding of Impressionism. She broke the rules of realism, in the way she painted
Certainly one of the three greatest female impressionist painters (with Marie Bracquemond and Mary Cassat). She was respected and admired by her counterparts and friends Monet, Manet, Pissaro, Renoir, Degas… But unfortunately her work has been undervalued for too long… She was a women, and that might explain it all.
Lady at her Toilette, by Berthe Morisot – 1875 The Art Institute of Chicago
Here is a list of some of the most famous impressionist painters : Frédéric Bazille, Gustave Caillebotte, Mary Cassat, Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Camille Pissarro, Pieerre Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Marie Bracquemond… Just to name a few.
Exhibition Berthe Morisot at the Musée d’Orsay :
from the 18th of June to the 22d of Septembre 2019
The Musée d’Orsay is paying tribute to the talent of one of this great French artist. The first time the Musée d’Orsay dedicates an exhibition to Berthe Morisot’s work. And it’s the first retrospective exhibition dedicated to this artist since the 1941 exhibition at the Orangerie.
Who is Berthe Morisot ?
‘I do not think any man would ever treat a woman as his equal, and it is all I ask because I know my worth.’Berthe Morisot – 1890 (“Je ne crois pas qu’il y ait jamais eu un homme traitant une femme d’égale à égal, et c’est tout ce que j’aurais demandé. Car je sais que je les vaux.” Berthe Morisot, 1890)
Berthe Morisot
She is one of the major figure of the Impressionism. She was born in 1841. She died at age 54 in 1895.
She was a member of the Parisian avant-garde impressionist movement. Her friends were Manet, Monet, Degas, Renoir, Fantin Latour, or Pissaro. She exhibited with them regularly. She frequented French writers too : Stéphane Mallarmé, Zola, Baudelaire, Paul Valery… Her work remained popular throughout her life. But her true value was never fully recognized by the public and the institutions. Her marriage license and her death certificat listed her as “without profession” …
Girl with Greyhound – Berthe Morisot -1893 (the model is Julie, Berthe Morisot’s daughter)
Independent and determined :
Berthe Morisot
I will achieve it only [being an artist] by perseverance, and by openly asserting my determination to emancipate myself.” – Berthe Morisot – 1871 («Je n’obtiendrai (mon indépendance) qu’à force de persévérance et en manifestant très ouvertement l’intention de m’émanciper»)
As a woman and as a painter : She was one of the most influential female Impressionist painters. One of the rare woman to make the painting her profession at a time when women couldn’t expect to have careers outside of marriage.She defought social norms, always refused an academic art. She was determined to be an artist as well as a wife and mother. She fought against the preconceptions of women’s roles at a time when women were not allowed to join the official art institutions.
After Luncheon – by Berthe Morisot – 1881
As a model : Posing for Manet, was already an unconventional choice : Manet was a controversial artist for his paintings “Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe” (exhibited in the Salon in 1863) and “Olympia” (exhibited in 1865)
Olympia – Edouard Manet – 1865 (The model : Victorine Meurent)
Berthe Morisot and Edouard Manet :
A Model subject and a muse for Manet (1832 – 1883) :
Berthe Morisot posed for Manet. Between 1868 and 1874, Edouard Manet painted her twelve times, more than any other woman. It’s Henri Fantin Latour who introduced her in 1868 to Edouard Manet. Berthe Morisot and Edouard Manet became close friends. He was a great admirer of her work and supported her although, and they both influenced each other art
A contemporary wrote : “When [Manet] paints Victorine, he paints her as a beautiful object; when he paints Berthe, he paints her with love and tenderness.”
The first time she posed for Manet was for “the Balcony”. But the most famous painting of Berthe Morisot by Edouard Manet is probably “Berthe Morisot with a bouquet of violets” where she is wearing a black dress
Edouard Manet, “Berthe Morisot with a Bouquet of Violets”, 1872
And “Le Repos”, could look like a declaration of love for his model. At least an emblematic portrait of Berthe Morisot by Manet
Berthe Morisot – The rest – by E Manet – 1870
Were Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot in love ?
Though, through the letters she wrote, we know that she cared deeply for Manet, nobody really knows if they both were in love.
However, Manet was a married man when they met, and Edouard Manet was also known as having numerous affairs with many women outside of his marriage.
In 1874, at age 33, she married Manet’s younger brother Eugène who was also a painter. Her husband supported Berthe Morisot’ s carrier and provided her with social and financial stability. In 1878, they had a child, Julie.
Eugene Manet and His Daughter at Bougival – by Berthe Morisot – 1881
She and her daughter were painted by Auguste Renoir too :
Berthe Morisot and her daughter Julie Manet, 1894, by A. Renoir
Portrait de Julie Manet et son chat – 1887 A. Renoir
Her painting :
“Real painters understand with the brush” – Berthe Morisot
She started as a copyist at Le Louvre and studied painting extensively during this period. She soon refused the academic training she was receiving. Her work was first exhibited in 1864 at the Salon de Paris, a prestigious art show. She was then 23.
On the Balcony by Berthe Morisot, 1872
In 1872, she sold 22 paintings to a private dealer. It was the start of the career as an established artist.
She painted outdoor scenes, still-life scenes, everyday life activities and portraits. Mostly in Paris and around, but occasionaly in England and Italy too. Always with a unconventional approach to her art, with delicacy
She was renowned for her creativity, and her experiments with the concept of finished an unfinished in her paintings, her way to interpret traditional subjects in a modern way, her capacity to reveal with delicacy the complexity of life and human beings, and her ability to capture the movement, the light, the feelings.
‘Berthe Morisot’s uniqueness was to “live” her painting, and to paint her life’ – Paul Valery (French writer and one of her friends)
Among her most famous works : the Cradle (1872) where she shows her sister Edma contemplating her sleeping daughter and “Interior” (1872)
Le Berceau (The Cradle), by Berthe Morisot 1872, Musée d’Orsay
Her paintings are spread in numerous museums and private collections all over the world. In Paris, mainly at the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan Monet
Her childhood and education :
Born in 1841 in a wealthy bourgeois family in Bourges (center of France). She had 2 older sisters Yves (although Yves is a French male first name) and Edma, and also a younger brother, Tiburce. Her family moved to Paris in 1852. She lived in Paris for the rest of her life.
The Artists’ Daughter Julie With Her Nanny, c.1884, Minneapolis Institute of Art
Berthe and her sisters received an artistic education (music and painting lessons) and were supported by their family. Both Berthe and her sister Edma were talented artists. Edma gave up after getting married and Berthe continued working as a painter.
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MORE PHOTOS OF BERTHE MORISOT’s PAINTINGS at the BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Other informations about Berthe Morisot exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay
Readings :
The book I have read : “Berthe Morisot” by Dominique Bona – Dominique Bona is a member of Académie Française since 2013. But unfortunately as far as I know : no English edition.
‘Berthe Morisot’, by Jean-Dominique Rey (Flammarion) – English version – on Amazon.com
Some of the paintings of the permanent collection (among the numerous Berthe Morisot’s paintings spread all over the world in private collections and museums). In Paris, mainly at the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan Monet
Jeune femme au bal encore intitulé Jeune femme en toilette de bal, 1876,
Jeune femme en toilette de bal (Young Woman in Evening Dress), 1879
(of course the exhibition from the 19 June 2019 to the 22 Septembre 2019 gathers many more Berthe Morisot ‘s works of art)
at the Musée Marmottan-Monet, – 2, rue Louis-Boilly, Paris 16 –Metro stop : La Muette or Ranelagh (line 9)
“Au bal” ou Jeune fille au bal, 1875,
Eugène Manet on the Isle of Wight 1875,
at the National museum of Stockolm
Dans le jardin (Dames cueillant des fleurs), 1879
at the National Gallery of London
Le Lac du Bois de Boulogne (Jour d’été), 1879,
at the Art Institute of Chicago :
Femme et enfant au balcon, 1871–72,
Femme à sa toilette , 1875–1880
Jeune fille de dos à sa toilette, encore intitulé Femme à sa toilette 1879, oil on canvas, 6
Autoportrait, 1885, pastel on paper, 47.5 × 37.5 cm,
La Forêt de Compiègne, 1885, oil on canvas,
Le Bain (Jeune file se coiffant), 1885–1886,
My tips :
Book you ticket in advance : Though you won’t be able to avoid waiting in line (because of the safety check) I highly recommend you to book you ticket in advance. Then go directly to the Entrance C dedicated to those who have already got a ticket.
Best days and times :
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at the opening time (9.30am. Best being there around 9/9.15am)
Thursday at the opening night. I suggest that you’d be there around 7pm or later. (Thursday closing time at 9.45pm)
Avoid if possible the weekends.And the Monday is the closing day.
Transportation : I favor Solferino metro stop rather than Musée d’Orsay metro stop. From Solferino metro stop, about 5 minutes walk but the taking the metro (rather than the RER) is more pleasant so as the exit. And the walk to the Museum is nice too.
Practical details :
Address :Musée d’Orsay , 1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur – Paris 7 . Metro and RER : Solferino metro stop or RER C Musée d’Orsay metro stop –
Opening hours :
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9.30am to 6 pm
Thursday : from 9.30am to 9.45pm
Closed on Mondays, the 1st January, 1st of May and 25th of December
Full price : 15 euros
MORE PHOTOS OF BERTHE MORISOT’s PAINTINGS
Eugene Manet with his Daughter in the Garden,1883
Berthe Morisot Julie Manet with a budgie – 1890
Child among the Hollyhocks, 1881, Wallraf-Richartz Museum
Introduction : This isn’t a list of the most renowned French films only. It’s a subjective list of 15 films I particularly liked or loved.
15 films shot since 1990 (I’ll post a list of French films shot before this date later). Some are funny, some aren’t. Some of them are very well known, some are less known.
Films can be seen a great reflection of a country and watching French films can be a good way to get to know more about France and its culture.
… alike architecture, music and meeting French people, novels by French authors, French songs, French cooking books…and so on
Unfortunately, I know that one often think that French films are boring,…!!! This could be partly true and that’s what you might think and feel about some of the films of this list
As you know already, I am French. Thus, if you think that those films are boring , I must be very very French…!!! But I hope I’m not too boring…!!! Nevertheless I hope you’ll enjoy some of the films mentionned in this list
If you’ve already watched some of them or when you’ve seen some after reading this article, I’d enjoy hearing about your appreciation and your feelings
The films are ordered from earliest to latest.
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1 – La discrete (1990)– Comedy-Drama
Director and co-author :Christian Vincent
Stars :Fabrice Luchini, Judith Henry
Antoine (the narrator and main character) has been dumped by his girlfriend and has no inspiration for a next novel. In an attempt to find a solution, he decides to seduce a youngwoman with the singular purpose fo keeping a diary of the seduction and then break up before publishing the book about it. Unforttunately, he falls in love with her…
In my opinion ; No surprise I like this film… As its Director (Christian Vincent) is said to be an admirer of Eric Rohmer…And I especially like Eric Rohmer’s films (New Wave/Nouvelle vague)… So this film may sound as special as Eric Rohmer’s films and for this reason you may not like this film… I love it for the atmosphere, for the acting by F Lucchini and Judith Henry, for the Paris’ background. One scene takes place in the famous “Café de la Mairie” at Place Saint Sulpice at Odeon/Saint Germain des Prés neighbourhood.
Music : Philippe Sarde Nelly is married to Jerôme. She meets by chance M Arnaud, a mature and wealthy just retired businessman. She has fallen six months behind on the rent for the apartment in which she lives with her husband. Nelly type up Mister Arnaud’s memoirs. Nelly thus learns more about Mr Arnaud’s life. Begins a strange and special relationship between the two personalities.
Notes : It won the César award for best director and best actor from Michel Serrault. A film to be watched for the great French director (Claude Sautet) and Michel Serrault and Emmanuelle Beart’s excellent performance. A subtle film which explores many emotions.
One of my most favorite films. And Michel Serrault and Claude Sautet have a special place in my heart
An upper middle-class French family celebrates a birthday in a restaurant . One evening family history, tensions, and memories clash
Notes :The film won the Cesar award for best writing, best supporting actor and best supporting actress. In this film, scathing phrases and situations..
TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)
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4 –Marius and Jeannette (1997) – Comedy-Drama-Romance
(Original title : Marius et Jeannette)
Director : Robert Guédiguian
Stars : Ariane Ascaride, Gérard Meylan, Pascale Roberts
Marius is the keeper of an abandoned cement works in the quarter of l’Estaque in Marseilles. Jeannette is bringing up her two children alone with her poor checkout operator salary. Their meeting won’t be without trouble, since besides material difficulties, both of them are wounded by life. They have to learn how to be happy again.
Notes :A feel good movie. poetic and very touching. A mix of love story, family drama and comedy, joy, tears and emotion. The film won the César award for best actress, best supporting actor and Best supporting actress,
TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)
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5 – Amelie(2001) – Comedy-Romance
(Original title = Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain)
Director : Jean Pierre Jeunet
Stars : Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus
Music : Yann Tiersen (Original main theme : “La valse d’Amélie)
Amelie, a young girl in Paris, resort to her own fantastical world and dreams of love and beauty . She decides to devote her life to the people around her, such as, her father who is obsessed with his garden-gnome, a failed writer, a hypochondriac, the love of her life and a man whose bones are as brittle as glass. But after consuming herself with these escapades – she finds out that she is disregarding her own life and damaging her quest for love.
Notes :A great film worth to be seen, notably for the setting in Montmartre and the music. Most of the locations in the film can be found in Montmartre. The main colors in the film are inspired by the paintings of the Brazilian artist Juarez Machado. It was in 1974 that Jean-Pierre Jeunet began collecting the memories and events that make up the story of Amélie. The part of Amélie was written specifically for Emily Watson, but she had to decine because she didn’t speak French and had already agreed to be in Gosford Park (2001)
TRAILER : SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH
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6 – The Girl from Paris (2001) – Comedy-Drama
(Original title : Une hirondelle a fait le printemps)
Sandrine, a young Parisian woman, tired of her life in Paris, decides to leave her work in computers and become a farmer. She buys an isolated farm from Adrien, an old farmer who decides it’s time to retire. However, Adrien wants to stay a few more months before moving away from the farm, and the rough winter finds them together… Adrien ‘s arrangement with Sandrine allows him to remain on the farm for 18 months. She is too self-confident to require much help and he is more interested in waiting around for her to fail than offering help. But gradually, they become friends…
Notes : This film is worth seeing for the beauty of the setting ( in the Vercors region of France) and the wonderful performance of Mathilde Seigner and Michel Serrault (the grouchy old peasant). Great actors and touching characters.
TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)
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7 – 8 women(2002) – Comedy, drama, mystery and Suspense
At an isolated mansion in the snowy countryside of 1950s France, a family is gathered for the holiday season. But their beloved patriarch has been murdered. The killer can only be one of the eight women . One murdered man, eight women, each seeming to be eager than the others to know the truth.
Notes : An entertaining film with 8 famous French Actresses. The film is filled with references to beloved classics. With a special like for the scene with Fanny Ardant (signing “A quoi sert de vivre libre” ) which pay homage to Rita Hayworth in Gilda. Fanny Ardant among my best favorite actresses. A part of the film is sung, but not a real musical
Below : “A quoi sert de vivre libre” by actress Fanny Ardant
(Original title : OSS 117, Le Caire, nid d’espions)
Director : Michel Hazanavicius
Stars : Jean Dujardin
It’s 1955 and after a fellow agent and close friend disappears, secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath, a.k.a. OSS 117, is ordered to take his place at the head of a poultry firm in Cairo. This is to be his cover while he is busy investigating, foiling Nazi holdouts, quelling a fundamentalist rebellion, and bedding local beauties.
Notes :An homage to classic spy films. Entertaining/funny. Jean Dujardin is the actor who played in “The artist”
TRAILER IN FRENCH (Sorry… !)
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9 – The neighbor (2007) – Comedy Romance
Director : Eddie O’Flaherty
Stars : Matthew Modine, Michèle Laroque, Katie Walder A guy whose life is in turmoil falls for an attractive real estate broker who moves into the condo next door, but soeisn’t realize that she expects him to move out for her planned renovation.
Notes : Really entertaining.Not a French film but a remake of a French film. Nevertheless, I included it in this list because of the irresistible Michelle Laroque, French actress, who was playing in the original French version too.Though I prefer much more the French version with M Laroque and Richard Berry (It was a telefilm). Great for Michelle Laroque, definitly one of my most favorite actress
TRAILER IN ENGLISH
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10 – 2 days in Paris(2007) – Comedy
Director : Julie Delpy
Stars : Julie Delpy, Adam Goldberg, Daniel Brühl
A New York based couple, Marion and Jack attempt to re-infuse their relationship with romance by taking a vacation in Europe. Their trip to Venice didn’t really work out. They have higher hopes for Paris. But the combination of Marion’s overbearing non-English speaking parents’,her ex-boyfriends’, and Jack’s obsession with photographing don’t make things easy.
Notes : The characters of Marion’s parents are played by Delpy’s real life parents. Julie Delpy is French, but one of the most American “French Director ” !
TRAILER IN ENGLISH
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11 – The wedding cake(2019) – Comedy-Romance
(Original title : Pièce montée)
Director : Denys Granier-Deferre
Stars : Clémence Poésy, Danielle Darrieux
Vincent and Bérengère are getting married on a beautiful spring day in the French countryside, in the style of the Haute bourgeoisie. But a chain of events threatens to bring down a family façade which has been cultivated over the past few decades.
Notes :An entertaining and touching film. And the last film of Danielle Darrieux, a wonderful French actress
TRAILER IN FRENCH (sorry…!)
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12 – The women on the 6th floor(2010) – Comedy
(Original title : Les femmes du 6ème étage)
Director : Philippe Le Guay
Stars : Fabrice Luchini, Sandrine Kiberlain
Paris 1960s. A conservative French couple’s lives are turned upside down by two spanish maids who work in their apartment building. Mr Joubert is an unadventurous stockbroker who befriends a group of Spanish maids who live on the top floor of his building and live the life of the poor. Then he discovers that there is a whole other world he never knew existed, . Slowly he recovers his joie de vivre by tasting life ‘s simple pleasures . He becomes increasingly involved with the problems of the Spanish women working improving their lot while causing friction at home.
Notes : A light-hearted and amusing comedy of worlds colliding. It focuses on Jean louis transformation. Fabrice Luchini is terrific
SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH
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13 – The intouchables(2011) – Comedy-Drama
(Original title : Les intouchables)
Director : Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano
Stars : François Cluzet, Omar Sy
After he becomes a quadriplegic from a pargliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man to be his caregiver
Notes :The second giiggest box office hit in France, The film has received several award nominations i. In France, the film won the César Award for Best actor for Omar Sy. Nominated for a golden Globe. The plot is inspired by the true story of Philoppe Pozzo
SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH
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14 – Delicacy(2011) – Romantic-Comedy-Drama
(Original title : La délicatesse)
Director : David Foenkinos and Stéphane Foenkinos
Stars : Audrey Tautou, François Damien
Music : Emilie Simon ‘Something more”
A romantic comedy about love. Nathalie, a beautiful, happy and successful Parisian business executive woman finds herself suddently widowed… To cope with her loss, she buries herself and her emotions in her work but one day, inexplicably, she meets a seemingly unexceptional, gauche and average looking subordinate, Markus…
Notes :the film is based on “La delicatesse” a book by David Foenkinos
TRAILER IN ENGLISH
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15 – What’s in a name(2012) – Comedy-Drama
(Original title : Le Prénom)
Director : Matthieu Delaporte, Alexandre de la Patellière
Stars : Patrick Bruel, Valérie Benguigui, Charles Berling…
Vincent is about to become a father. At a meeting with childhood friends (In an upper-middle-class apartment in Paris), he reveals the name for his future son. Everyone at the dinner is speechless…The situation eventually gets out of hand, when no one can come to an understanding, and everyone starts unearthing old rivalries and unspoken issues.
Notes :Patrick Bruel is a very famous French singer too.
SUBTITLES IN ENGLISH
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Giverny is the home village of painter Claude Monet (1840 – 1926) where he lived for more than 40 years Giverny is located about 50 miles from Paris, in Normandy, and one of the most visited site by visitors coming to Paris. Approximately 500 000 visitors come here eveny year.
It’s a place where you can easily go on your own : see my other article “My tips for your trip to Giverny“. If you prefer not to go on your own, you’ll find , in this article, some details about tours and transportation by bus too
Giverny source of inspiration for Monet
Claude Monet Water Lilies Series
A visit to Giverny will let you know more about Monet’s life and see the place that inspired him so much. Your viewing pleasure is another great reason to come to Giverny and an opportunity to spend a wonderful peaceful day among flowers. Great for those who love flowers and nature. If possible, give Giverny a full day and enjoy your day !
Coming to Giverny is a way to get closer to Monet’s life and inspiration and to think of his impressionist masterpieces in another perspective. You’ll see his home still furnished and painted exactly as Monet had chosen it to be. Inside the house, you’ll see his kitchen, his sitting room, his reading room, dining room, the bedrooms. And you’ll admire his collection of Japanese paintings/
Monet’s house
The house :
Jean Monet on his hobby horse
Monet’s family : a family of 10.
You can visit it at your leisure, as long as you wish. An amazing pink house, originally smaller but that Monet extended on both sides to accommodate his large family. This is where he lived with Alice, his second wife with their 6 children and his 2 children for his marriage to Camille, his first wife.
The house contains Monet’s actual actual belongings and his original furnishings.
All over the house, you’ll see numerous replicas of Monet’s work and numerous japanese prints which Monet particularly affectionated
On the first floor :
The first floor contains the sitting room, the dining room, the kitchen and Monet’s studio.
The dining roomis entirely yellow from the walls to the the decor. Numerous Japanese prints hanging on the walls especially in the dining room.
The dining room on the first floor
The kitchen is blue with titled walls and contains copper pots and pans.
The blue kitchen
Upstairs :
Upstairs, several bedrooms and sitting areas
Claude Monet’s bedroom
Two gardens : the Clos Normand and the Water Garden
If you chose not to take a guided tour, you can freely wander around the house and gardens, take photos and enjoy yourself, as long as you want and where you want. May you go several times a year, you’ll never find the same setting. These are the 2 gardens which were of a great inspiration for Claude Monet and served as the scene for his most famous works.
Monet’s garden is separated into 2 parts : The Clos Normand flower garden and the Japanese water garden.
The house’s entrance
Outside you’ll see the wonderful Clos Normand, the closest garden to the house, flourished with so many flowers, different at every season : rows and rows of flowers… It’s Monet himself who designed his gardens : japanese anemones, aster, peonies, narcissus, climbing roses, ornamental trees, tulips, sage, hydrangeas, rosebushes, geraniums, dahlias, nasturtiums, poppies, snapdragons, marigolds … An awsome place, as flowery as peaceful and where you can walk along pathways
A bit further, the Japanese water garden :the water lily pond and the Japanese bridge surrounded by weeping willows. You get to this garden via a pedestrian subway. Monet purchased this land ten years after arriving in Giverny.
The Japanese bridge : One of his most famous paintings
The Japanese bridge
A bamboo grove planted by Monet.
Bambo grove
The famous nympheas (water lilies) :
http://art-monet.com
The famous nympheas (water lilies)
Who’s Monet ?
Monet ( 1840 – 1926) is the artist who founded the impressionist movement. a style for painting scenes from nature. Monet used to paint the same scene in different seasons. Monet lived in Giverny village from 1883 (age 43) until his death in 1926. He liked to work outdoors and was sometimes accompanied by Renoir Sisley and Bazille
Michel Monet, Claude Monet’s son donated the property to the Académie des Beaux Arts in 1966. After 10 year renovation the museum opened to the public in 1980. The property opened to the public in 1980 after an important renovation to both the house and gardens;
Address : Fondation Claude Monet, rue Claude Monet 27620 GivernyOpening days and time : open daily from march 24th to November 1st 2017-05-30from 9.30 to 6pm, last entrance at 5.30 pm,
The house (on the left) and the 2 gardens : Le Clos Normand nearby the house and the Water Garden (on the right)
Other Monet related places to visit in Paris :
The Orangerie Museum (in the Tuileries) : 2 oval-shaped rooms house with the eight huge “Water Lilies” murals.
Opened daily, except Tuesdays, from 9am to 6pm Orangerie museum : Jardin de Tuileries (on the side of the river Seine) 75001 Paris – Metro Stop : Concorde (line 1, 8 or 12)
Opened daily except Monday from 9.30am till 6pm – Night-on Thursday till 9.45pm
1 rue de la Légion d’Honneur – Paris 7 – Métro stop : Solférino (ligne 12) or RER stop : Musée d’Orsay ( line C)
Marmottan Monet Museum (near the Bois de Boulogne)
Opened daily, except Monday, from 10 am till 6 pm – Night-on Thursdays till 9 pm. 2 rue Louis Boilly – 75016 Paris – Metro stop : La Muette (line 9)
Movies about Claude Monet :
I, Claude Monet (trailer)
Monet filmed painting outdoors (1915) :
This is unique film of French Impressionist painter Claude Monet (1840-1926), painting outdoors, ‘en plein air’, in his garden at Giverny.
Monet’s house : a slideshow by Ann Jeanne in Paris
Monet and Giverny : a VIDEO by Ann Jeanne in Paris
AJIP Private walking tours and photo sessions
Ann Jeanne in Paris
Share my Paris, the Paris I love. I welcome you, I accompany you and we walk at your pace. I’ll be delighted to be your friend in Paris ! Half a day or a whole day with a native including a break in a very Parisian cafe. It’s a cross cultural experience in Paris and a way to see Paris in a Parisian perspective. A way to know more about Paris’ life and culture. Don’t hesitate to contact me !
Ann Jeanne in Paris’ private tours are designed for one or two persons. A friendly, authentic and personal to experience Paris’ life. I was born and raised in Paris. Paris is the city where I live.
Tips for your trip to GIVERNY (home village of Claude MONET, where he lived for 43 years)
Here are my few tips to help you organize your visit to Giverny (Monet’s gardens).
My suggestion is that you can easily go to Giverny and visit the place on your own, especially if you’re staying in Paris long enough and don’t have to rush to see all what you’ve planned to see in Paris and around.
Claude Monet (1840 – 1926)
Giverny is surely among the top sites to visit during your first or second stay in Paris. It’s one of the most visited attractions around Paris and a great option for a day trip from Paris.
At the bottom of this page : A VIDEO (by Ann Jeanne in Paris)
Giverny is the home village of Claude Monet where he lived and workedfrom the age of 43, in 1883 to his death in 1926.
It’s located, 50 miles(75 kilometers) North-West from Paris in Normandy, in the Eure department.
The gardens are real works of art. Walking throught Monet’s garden is just like walking through Monet’s paintings. Flourished, peaceful and quiet, despite of all the visitors who are coming everyday. His work was inspired by these gardens that he created here in Giverny. And his gardens are featured at every season in his impressionist paintings
The place is divided into two parts: the main garden where the house is located, and the Water lily garden with the Japenese bridge
Best time to come : any season and avoid weekends
In Claude Monet’s house
Any season (from end of March to end of October): The gardens are always beautiful. It’s never the same setting. At each season, the flowers are different. In any case, you’ll always see a wonderfully florished garden : daffodils, roses, marigolds, hydrangea and other beautiful species…
If possible avoid weekends as there is many more people
May and June are the most busy monthes because of the schools coming to visit. During these months, better to come on a Wednesday(weekday of school break)
Early in the morning, as close as possible to the opening time (9.30am) as to avoid the tourists coming by coach.
Plan a minimum of HALF a DAY visit.If possible a WHOLE DAY in order to have the opportunity to enjoy the place and its surrounding peacefully.
If possible a non-rainy day :Check the weather forecastahead of making your plans.
How to get to Giverny : On your own (Easy : train + shuttle) or with a tour operator ?
On your own – By train and shuttle:this is what I recommend. Giverny is very accessible and it’s very simple to do this independently and you’ll be free to arrive and leave whenever you wish.
In Le Clos Normand – by Claude Monet’s house
And in addition, you’ll save the money. On the site, you don’t really need a guide : It’s nice to wander around and take photos and imagine what the life would have been like, to lookout of the windows and see the flowers. You are free to explore the house and the groundsat you leisure. Here is the way to get to Giverny by train : Train from St Lazare station to Vernon train station + shuttle from Vernon to Monet’s gardens
Get your entrance ticketto Monet’s gardens in advance (otherwise, you may have to wait in line for quite long) :
on Giverny website or on La Fnac website (La Fnac is a renown French chain of shops). Normal fare : 10.20 € Children under 7 : free of charge.
Your ticket is valid for the date you select.
This is the best way to avoid the serious queues for tickets. If you don’t get your ticket ahead, you’ll probably have to wait in line to purchase tickets.
Warning :your ticket is available on the day you choose only.
Book your round trip train ticket (Saint Lazare train station – Vernon train station) ahead of time (45 minutes transportation – 12.50€ each way)
On line for specific departure and return times (though it’s possible to get the round trip tickets at the train station too. In that case, you purchase the train tickets at one of the yellow ticket machines in the train terminal. It requires a EU credit card.).
Check the time tables (below, a time table so as to give you an idea of how it works.But get the latest updated timetable as there might have some slight changes this year). Choose a trip with no change. Take a ticket for a Rouen-bound train. Better take a train around 8.20am
There is roughly a train every one hour and about 20 trains going to Giverny per day.
Reach SAINT LAZARE train station :Get to the train station (end of Metro line 14).
Go to the departures board to locate your platform(20 minutes before the departure) Give your tickets to a machine, to stamp them.
Take the train from Gare Saint Lazare (25 euros return ticket – 75 kilometers – 45 minutes train ride). A train to Vernon leave the station roughly every hour. The train ride is 45 minutes.
Get off at VERNON train station :
Get off at Vernon train station
SHUTTLE (Round trip : 8 euros – 5 kms – 15 minutes bus ride) : Catch the shuttle dedicated to Giverny’s visitors at the exit of Vernon train station.
The shuttle buses are timed to meet the trains. The transition is very easy and stress free. You’ll have time to catch the shuttle as it takes time for all the people to pay the driver.
The bus will probably be packed but you should have a seat and it’s a short ride (around 7 minutes)… !
Warning : Be careful you can only pay for tickets with cash. Make sure you have some small change for the bus.
Catch the shuttle which will be waiting for you at Vernon train station
There is at least one bus(sometimes 2 or 3 buses) waiting for the visitors at Vernon train station. It will take you right to Monet’s house and gardens. The ticket you purchase will be valid for the trip back to the train station.
Timetable Shuttle Vernon-Giverny (these timetables may have changed a bit . But it will stay roughly the same)
Timetable Shuttle Giverny-Vernon (these timetables may have changed a bit . But it will stay roughly the same)
Instead of the Shuttle, you can hire a taxi(around 17 euros – 6.6 kms – around 7 minutes) – Taxis 0232511024 – Please check this number before you go as it may have changed). Most of the time, you find a taxi in front of the train station. To return from Monet’s gardens to Vernon train station by taxi, go at the Tourism office/Information center of Giverny. They can call a taxi for you. But the Shuttle is such an easy way to take you to Monet’s gardens that the shuttle is probably the best option to choose. Or you can rent a bike (at one of the 2 cafés across from the train station).
How much time must I plan for this visit ?
What I suggest is a minimum of a half-day trip.
If you’re not in a rush, the best would be to give Giverny a full day or almost !
Go as early as you can : The 8.20am train at Saint Lazare train station will take you to Giverny at the opening (9.30am). Both gardens and house get super crowded within an hour of opening.
and to plan a return around 4 pm. This is what I did the last time I went to Giverny
This will allow you to wander around in the nice villageof Giverny, have a break, a light lunch (at the Nympheas for instance), visit the grave of Monet, about 10 minutes walk from Monet’s home, in the village cemetery and maybe visit the museum of Impressionism which is located in the village too.
In Giverny village
Practical details :
Address : Fondation Claude Monet, rue Claude Monet 27620 Giverny
2 gardens : There are in fact 2 gardens separated by the D5 road. The first one is called the Clos Normand. The second one is where you’ll see the Water lily pond.
Opening days and time :
Open daily from Friday 23d of March 2018 to the 1st of November
from 9.30am to 6 pm – Last entrance at 5.30 pm
Claude Monet’s dining room
Entrance fees (2017) house and gardens : (Please, check the fees, it may change over the years)
Adults : 10,20€
Child (from 7 and students) : 7,20€
Child under 7 : free
Booking your entrance tickets : (3 reliable websites to book your tickets)
Coming on your own + a guided visit organized by Claude Monet’s site (Booking in advance mandatory) : Click here
Coming on your own + a guided tour with Ariane ? (= Guided tour option offered by Giverny official website – Booking in advance mandatory) : Click here
Warning :no guided visit can be booked on the site. You’ve got to book it ahead of time
Trains timetables and SNCF (train company) website:
Shop and online shop : http://fondation-monet.com/boutique(Just next to the house, there is a great bookstore (n° 3 on the map below) which has many nice postcards and calendars.)
Les Nymphéastearoom(n°6 on the map below – very close to Monet’s house) –In front of Claude Monet’s house and garden you just have to cross the street to take seat.It is a nice little outdoor café where you can have a drink and a light lunch. Particularly enjoyable on a sunny day. You can relax in this peaceful and unformal place. You cannot picnic in the Monet’s gardens themselves.
If you choose to go with a group :here is some suggestions
By bus from Paris (= options offered by Giverny official site): from 61 € ( with an audioguide) to 115 € /person (with a tourist guide) : Click here for more details . But you won’t be able to stay more than half a day and you’ll be in a group.
Paris Visions :this tour operator offer bus or mini-van tours available from Paris (Air conditioned coaches)
Departing from the center of Paris, about 400 meters from Le Louvre – Paris city vision : 2 rue des Pyramides – Paris 1 (near Joan of Arc statue) – Morning or afternoon departure time when booking.
You’ll arrive about 1 hour and a half later in Giverny
You’ll be returned to the starting point in Paris 5 hours later.
Different options ranging form 70-89 euros. For instance 83 euros (transportation, entrance tickets, services of a tour guide included). Another option includes the transportation and an audioguide for the visit to Monet’s house and gardens. Click here for more details
A bike ride : Another optionoffered by Fat Tire Bike Tours. You meet the group at the train station in Paris. The guide takes you onto the train. At Vernon train station, the group walks about a block and gets bikes. The bike ride is very easy. You stop to pick up picnic supplies then after a very short ride you stop on banks of the river for lunch. Then a nice ride on level bike trail to Monets Gardens. A small group of about 20 . Fees : 65 euros Click here for more details
My recommendations :
Half a day for a visit of Monet’s house, garden and the village is nice but maybe a bit too short
If you’re going on your own, book the entrance tickets and your train tickets in advance. Take an early train and avoid the weekends.
After your visit of the house and gardens, take a walk in the village and browse around the giftshops/bookshops
Take a peaceful break (drink or light lunch) at the Nympheas tearoom (or another of the several restaurants nearby).You cannot picnic in the Monet’s gardens themselves.
Don’t combine a visit of Giverny and a visit of Versailles in the same day. It’s really too much if you want to enjoy the places. It would be a rush and exhausting.
If you’d choose the “Paris visions” half day tour option, this means that you’ll be 2 hours only on the site (a total of 5 hours minus the 2 x 1.5 hours of transportation). If you want to really take your time, do you think this will be long enough ?
Warning :Bring cash : No ATMs or currency exchange bureaus in the village. And if you have to take the shuttle, you’ll need cash too.
Other Monet related places to visit in Paris :
The Orangerie Museum in the Tuileries garden : This is where are located the “Water Lilies” murals. – Metro Stop : Concorde
Marmottan Monet Museum (near the Bois de Boulogne) – Metro Stop : La Muette – Paris 16
AJIP Private walking tours and photo sessions
Ann Jeanne in Paris
Share my Paris, the Paris I love. I welcome you, I accompany you and we walk at your pace. I’d be delighted to be your friend in Paris ! Half a day or a whole day in Paris, with a native including a break in a very Parisian cafe. It’s a cross cultural experience in Paris and a way to see Paris in a Parisian perspective. A way to know more about Paris’ life and culture. Don’t hesitate to contact me ! It will be a pleasure to share with you, my Latin Quarter, “my” Saint Germain des Prés… and other wonderful neighborhoods
Ann Jeanne in Paris’ private tours are designed for one or two persons. A friendly, authentic and personal way to experience Paris’life. I was born and raised in Paris. Paris is the city where I live.
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r : Michel Hazanavicius
check out my other article : 
Half a day for a visit of Monet’s house, garden and the village is nice but maybe a bit too short