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MONET and GIVERNY (Monet’s gardens)   :

(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 articleMy 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 : 

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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)

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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

 

Jacquemart André

THE OUTSIDE :

A wonderful 19 th century mansion

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Jacquemart André Museum

The outside itself is worth coming to the place : a large and beautiful mansion house, XIX century style, built by the architect Henri Parent.

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Nélie Jacquemart

The Jacquemart-André museum was named after its owners : Edouard André (1833-1894) and Nélie Jacquemart (1841-1912). It’s was the couple ‘s private home.

THE MUSEUM :

a grand and gorgeous 19th residence.and a wonderful collection of Italian art.

The Museum display the art they collected during their lives. Thus, they devoted a considerable fortune to buying works of art especially in Italy where they use to go frequently.

Though it’s in France and it gathers mainly Italian art, I felt during all my visit a type of British touch in the air… Strange.

 

THE CAFE/RESTAURANT

an exquisite place to have a break, a meal or a 5 o’clock tea

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I had a very nice break in the café which is located inside the museum. Such an exquisite place…! I loved it as much as the welcoming and the food. It’s not a restaurant run by a great chef, but the food is really nice. If you are vegetarian, you’ll surely be pleased too. And a great choice of delicious pastries.

 

I enjoyed being in such a  beautiful and luxurious as intimate and relaxing place.

 

 

 

 

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My advice : 

  • You’ll surely enjoy this place. And don’t miss the Café/restaurant which is really worth it. It’s gorgeous.
  • If you come when the weather’s fine, experience the terrace of the Café.
  • If you plan to go the “Printemps” department store (either for shopping or for the view over Paris from the rooftop), you can plan the 2 visits on the same day : the Museum Jacquemart André is about 20 minutes on foot from Le Printemps department store (on the same Boulevard Haussmann).

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Jacquemart AndréPractical informations :

  • Museum : 7/7   
  • L – V : 11.45 am – 17.30 pm  (L : 7pm) Sat.and Sunday :  11 am to 3 pm
  • 158 bd Haussmann – Paris 8     Metro stops : St Augustin; Miromesnil; St Philippe du Roule
  • (Le Printemps department store : 64, boulevard Haussmann – Paris 9)

 

 

 

 

 

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Let Paris become “your Paris”, the time of your stay !

Visit Paris, with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian : 

  • You’d like to feel like a local and having a tour in a Paris neighborhood, but you don’t feel having a tour with a group ?
  • You’d like to discover Paris off the beaten path and get a real feel of an authentic Paris ?
  • You’d like to see Paris in another perspective and to know more about Paris and Parisians?

Anne à Montsouris - Format original-2637WELCOME !

  • I’d be delighted to welcome you and share with you “my” Paris. And Paris will become “your” city too 🙂
  • The tours are private (with you only or you and the person you choose), at your pace. 
  • For more details : The tours – Booking and Pricing
  • Feel free to contact me 

 Ann Jeanne in Paris’ Private walking tours

Self portrait - Vincent Van Gogh

Musée d’Orsay : a real must-see (2 videos below, on this page)

Not only a great museum, but a great building too. The building itself is worth a visit.

The Musée d’Orsay is located on the left bank of the river Seine, in the 7th arrondissement (= district) of Paris. 
Carte Paris avec Musée d'Orsay
It shows the arts of the period from 1848 to 1914 (it picks up where the Louvre ends) : paintings, sculptures, furniture and photography. It’s the world’s largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist art work from the period 1848 – 1904

The collections :

The museum exhibits impressionist and post impressionist collections and let a lot of space to the earlier Realists. Also temporary exhibitions

The impressionist and post impressionist paintings include works by Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley, Berthe Morisot, Paul Cézanne, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat, Vincent Van Gogh….      

The French impressionists :  the great revolution of the 19th century, began in Paris in the 1860s. The artists started to break with the academic values of the past.

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Impression (1872) – Monet

The Impressionist movement has no founder though Manet and Courbet inspired many of the younger artists. However, one says that the name “Impressionism” comes from a painting by Claude Monet : “Impression” (= “Sunrise »), a view from Le Havre in the mist from 1872.

The impressionist artists aimed to capture the impression of what the eye sees at a given moment. Their favourite subjects were : landscapes, and scenes from the urban life.

The leading neo-Impressionist was Georges Seurat.

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“Le déjeuner sur l’herbe” – 1863 – Edouard Manet

It took later generations to fully appreciate the work of the Impressionists. In 1863, Manet’s “Le déjeuner sur l’herbe” was rejected by the officiel salon of that year. Cezanne was rejected all his life. Degas sold only one painting to a museum an dSisley died unknown. Only Renoir and Monet were ever acclaimed in their lifetimes.

  • Ground floor : all paintings prior to 1870 : Degas before 1870, first Monet’s paintings, Toulouse, Lautrec, Cezanne, Manet, Courbet…
  • The museum central aisle : an assorted selection of sculptures of the middle of the 19th century.. and a copy of the Statue of Liberty. 
  • Level 2 : Gauguin and Van Gogh (number 70,71,72 rooms) …
  • Level 5 : the collection of impressionist art (Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne, Pissaro, Sisley…)—————————————————————

A quick visit of The Orsay Museum before you come !

ORSAY : The story of an old railway station

Orsay train station, built in 1900

The museum building was originally a 19th railway station called “Orléans station” after the name of the city of Orléans.  The trains were going from Paris to the city of Orléans. It was built between 1898 and 1900.  The railway station closed late 19th century. It reopened as the Musée d’Orsay in 1986.

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Gaetana Olenti, architect

The Italian architect Gaetana Aulenti (1927 – 2012), reinvented the  Orleans train station, She was a defiant figure in a field dominated by men,  one of 2 women to graduate in the class of 1954, of the Milan Polytechnic School of Architecture. “…She’ll be remembered for the audacity of her vision.” (The New York Times)—–—————————————————

 

A 1 minute video, to know more about Orsay museum amazing story :

Practical details :

  • Address : 1 rue de la Légion d’honneur. +33 (0) 1 40 49 48 14
  • Metro stop : Solférino  – RER C :  Musée d’Orsay Buses : 24, 68, 69, 84 – Batobus stop : « Musée d’Orsay » nearby
  • Opening time : 9.30 am – 6pm Tues-Sun (9.45pm on Thursdays) Closed on Mondays, on 5/01 and on 12/25 – Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing.
  • You can take photos inside the museum (but with no flash) – A great news for all the photographers !

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    “Le restaurant” on the 1st floor

  • Audioguides are available in English (and in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japonese, Chinese and Russian for 5 euros
  • 2 restaurants : Ground floor, level 1 (« The restaurant ») and Level 5 (Café Campana)
  • and a café (“Café de L’ours” : for a light lunch – at the ground floor )
  • One of the restaurants called “Le restaurant” is located on the 1st floor. It’s the former restaurant of the Hôtel d’Orsay (which was a part of the Orléans (=Orsay) train station. It is still as it was when it opened in 1900 and is listed as a Historic Monument.

Ticket purchase

My advice :

  • A real must-see on your visit to Paris especially if you are an impressionist art lover. A gem. The architecture is beautiful and the building itself is worth seeing. I love it. But the collection of impressionist and neo impressionist art is fantastic. This is one of my favorite museums in Paris. This museum may be your favorite in Paris !! Don’t miss it.
  • Choose to visit the Musée d’Orsay at opening time. (for a more peaceful visit). The crowd and the queues can be quite large. Better not choose a weekend day.
  • Prepare your visit before you come : look at the map of the museum and choose the artists and paintings you want to see first. Allow a minimum of 2 hours for your visit, A whole morning or afternoon is better. but you could easily spend an entire day looking at everything !
  • My advice would be to start visiting the 5th floor. Don’t miss the 5th floor where the most famous works are located
  • Important : buy your tickets on line It’s highly recommended. Sometimes if you’ven’t got a ticket, you may wait more than one hour.
  • Don’t miss the several giants clocks which are wonderful and very impressive (at the ground floor – a golden huge clock and at the level 5 – a glass clocks)
  • Also a great view over central Paris from the level 5‘ : from the terrace and through the large glass clock !. But this winter (2016) it had to be seen though the museum’s windows (terrace not opened)
  • Other paintings by Monet are exhibited in Paris or nearby Paris : at Musée Marmottan Monet (in Paris), Orangerie Museum (in Paris) and Giverny (located 75 km west from Paris)

Jean-Gabriel Domergue

Jean-gabriel Domergue is another of my favourite painters. You can see all sorts of influences in his art : Degas Toulouse Lautrec…

Jean Gabriel Domergue - PhotoJean-Gabriel Domergue (1889 – 1962) started painting very young. In 1913, at 24, he was awarded the Second Prize of Rome. He was a family relative of Toulouse Lautrec and in the 20’s, joined him in Montmartre.

From the 20s, Jean-Gabriel Domergue was a French painter specialising in portraits of Parisian ladies. He changed the traditionnel way women were protrayed. They became airy, elegant with a swanlike neck. He painted about 3000 portraits. He became the portraitist of the French and foreign aristocracy. He was a fashion designer too. 

From 1955 until 1962, he was the curator of the Musée Jacquemart-André, organizing exhibitions of the works of Van Gogh, Toulouse-Lautrec, Goya and others.

More about Jean-Gabriel Domergue’s paintings : a 2.5 minutes video.