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4Jul

Berthe Morisot, a woman in a man’s world

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé People
2 Comments
Berthe Morisot

My recent reading (“Berthe Morisot” by Dominique Bona) as well as the new exhibition at the Musée 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

Affiche exposition - Musée Orsay

Through my 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, 1875 The Art Institute of Chicago

Lady at her Toilette, by Berthe Morisot – 1875 The Art Institute of Chicago

The Musée d’Orsay houses today one of the most important collections of Impressionist paintings in the world. My article about the Musée d’Orsay : Click here

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)

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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” …

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Girl with Greyhound – Berthe Morisot -1893 (the model is Julie, Berthe Morisot’s daughter)

Independent and determined :

Berthe Morisot

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, 1881

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) 

Oympia - Edouard Manet - 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

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 - Portrait of Berthe Morisot - E Manet - 1870

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.

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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.

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Eugene Manet and His Daughter at Bougival – by Berthe Morisot – 1881

She and her daughter were painted by Auguste Renoir too :

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, 1872, New York - Dame et enfant sur la terrasse, Berthe Morisot, 1872

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), 1872, Musée d'Orsay

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

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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Séparation 3

 AJIP private walking tours

Coming to Paris soon ? Book your private tour with AJIP. 02022019-IMG_950902022019-IMG_9509

A way to get to get closer to an authentic Paris and to learn more than the touristic side of the city: Don’t hesitate to contact me : here

The Latin Quarter, Montmartre village, Saint Germain des Prés, The atmospheric 19th century tour,  Montparnasse… Each walk can be personalized according to your wishes and interests. Each walk, includes a break with a drink (included in the fees). AJIP private tours – Here25052017-IMG_7845

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  • AJIP private tours – Here
  • About the booking and pricing: Here 

MORE PHOTOS OF BERTHE MORISOT’s PAINTINGS at the BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

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Séparation 3

Other informations about Berthe Morisot exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay

Readings :

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

  • at the Musée d’Orsay : In the permanent collection
    • Portrait de Madame Pontillon, 1871,
    • Le Berceau (The Cradle) , 1872, 
    • 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

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MORE PHOTOS OF BERTHE MORISOT’s PAINTINGS

Eugene Manet with his Daughter in the Garden,1883

Eugene Manet with his Daughter in the Garden,1883

Berthe Morisot Julie Manet with a budgie - 1890

Berthe Morisot Julie Manet with a budgie – 1890

Child among the Hollyhocks, 1881, Wallraf-Richartz Museum

Child among the Hollyhocks, 1881, Wallraf-Richartz Museum

MMT156737 Self Portrait, 1885 (oil on canvas) by Morisot, Berthe (1841-95) oil on canvas 61x50 Musee Marmottan, Paris, France French, out of copyright

Self Portrait, 1885 by Berthe Morisot, 1885 – Musee Marmottan, Paris, 

The Artists' Daughter Julie With Her Nanny, c.1884, Minneapolis Institute of Art

The Artists’ Daughter Julie With Her Nanny, c.1884, Minneapolis Institute of Art

 

“Young Girl with Basket” 1892 by Berthe Morisot

“Young Girl with Basket” 1892 by Berthe Morisot

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16Jan

Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: People Places
2 Comments
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MONET and GIVERNY (Monet’s gardens)   :

(a VIDEO and a slideshow by Ann Jeanne in Paris : at the bottom of this page)

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.

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My other article : “My tips for your trip to Giverny“

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 http://www.tuttartpitturasculturapoesiamusica.com

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/

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Monet’s house

The house : 

936px-Claude_Monet_-_Jean_Monet_on_his_Hobby_Horse

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 room is  entirely  yellow from the walls to the the decor. Numerous Japanese prints hanging on the walls especially in the dining room.

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The dining room on the first floor

The kitchen is blue with titled walls and contains copper pots and pans.

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The blue kitchen

Upstairs :

Upstairs, several bedrooms and sitting areas

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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.

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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 pathwaysPath at Giverny

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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

Water-Lily Pond, Claude Monet 1897-1899

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The Japanese bridge

A bamboo grove planted by Monet.

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Bambo grove

The famous nympheas (water lilies) :

http://art-monet.com

http://art-monet.com

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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

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©Giverny.com

Some more details about the site of Giverny :

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;1024px-Monet_-_Im_Garten_-_1895

Some practical detailsf2f1abe1f04b79ec2c57870ca4b3eeda--irises-products

Some tips for your trip to Giverny : Please check out my other article  – CLICK HERE

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,

Email :  contact@fondation-monet.com

FB monet : https://www.facebook.com/FondationClaudeMonetGiverny

Map of Giverny :

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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)

Orangerie

The Musee d’Orsay ( My article about Musee d’Orsay – included photos, advice and videos )

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)

297-MUSEO-dORSAY

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)jardincmusee_marmottan_monet_paris

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

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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.

More details about Ann Jeanne Paris tours Don’t hesitate to Contact me

Looking forward to see you !

And  : Some details about the booking and pricing

 

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16Jan

My tips for your trip to Giverny (Monet’s gardens)

Posted by: afriendinparis Categories: Non classé Places Useful Informations
5 Comments
Petite affice My tips for your trip

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Claude Monet’s house

 

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, photo by Nadar, 1899

    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)

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A few words about Giverny (Monet’s gardens) –

More about Giverny ? : Please carte générale paris distance Givernycheck out my other article : CLICK here

  • Giverny is the home village of Claude Monet where he lived and worked from 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

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Best time to come : any season and avoid weekends

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    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 forecast ahead of making your plans.

 

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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.

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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 grounds at 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 

  1. Get your entrance ticket to 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.  
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  2. 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.
    • Price : 12.50 euros each way.
    • The trains are confortable and very punctual. No seat booking.  You can seat anywhere. Click here for details about the weekdays times of departure Click here for details about the weekends times of departure 
  3. Reach SAINT LAZARE train station : Get to the train station (end of Metro line 14).Billet train Paris-VernonBillet Train Vernon-Paris
  4. Go to the departures board to locate your platform (20 minutes before the departure) Give your tickets to a machine, to stamp them. Train à Saint Lazare
  5. 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. 
  6. Get off at VERNON train station :

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    Get off at Vernon train station

  7. 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. 
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      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. 

Horaires shuttle Vernon Giverny b

Timetable Shuttle Vernon-Giverny (these timetables may have changed a bit . But it will stay roughly the same)

Horaire shuttle Vernon - Giverny

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). 
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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 village of 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. 
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In Giverny village

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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

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    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)

Want a guided visit ?

  • 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: 

What’s to see in the village  :

  • The Grave of Monet : about 10 minutes walk from Monet’s home
  • The Church : a church dating back to the Middle Ages
  • A museum of Impressionnism opened in 1992. Opened from 10am to 6pm – Admission 6.50€
  • Numerous cafés and quaint small streets 

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    Claude Monet’s kitchen

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Other useful links : 

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Map of Claude Monet’s house and around : Click here for a larger format

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©Giverny official website

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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 option offered 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

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My recommendations : 

  • The Iris Garden at GivernyHalf 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
    • The Musee d’Orsay – Metro Stop : Solférino 
    • Marmottan Monet Museum (near the Bois de Boulogne) – Metro Stop : La Muette – Paris 16

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AJIP Private walking tours and photo sessions

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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.

More details about Ann Jeanne Private tours (in Paris). Don’t hesitate to Contact me

Looking forward to see you !

And  : Paris Private walking tours with Ann Jeanne, native : Some details about the booking and pricing

 

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GIVERNY : a VIDEO by Ann Jeanne in Paris

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