Sited on the right bank of the Seine, Giverny is known the world over through the paintings of Claude Monet, who lived here from 1883 to his death in 1926. His presence in the village drew numerous artists of different nationalities, who contributed to turning it into a site which even today remains a symbol of Impressionism.

Giverny now relives the days when Claude Monet took his inspiration from his gardens, of which he took great care. In the changing light, the flowers regulate the seasons.



Virtual tour of Giverny and Monet's gardens

Find out more about the Impressionist movement

 

 

Worth a visit

 

 

 

 

• Claude Monet's House and Garden
  The home of the Master of Impressionism, now restored, has regained the colours, the furniture, the Japane prints and the china that Monet loved. Facing the house and studio, the Clos Normand displays a breath-taking palette of flowers and colours. The water garden, with its Japanese bridge, water lilies, wisteria and azaleas, recreates the image that so inspired Monet. The Japanese bridge (1899) and Water lilies (1914 and1917) are works which have entered the collective memory.
  
  
• Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny: in May 2009, the Museum of American Art in Giverny (originally opened in 1992) was officially re-opened as the Giverny Impressionisms Museum.
  Claude Monet had a particular affection for Giverny. Home to the garden that was inspiration to the great master and leader of the Impressionist movement, as well as Monet's house and the official Monet foundation (Fondation Monet), this pretty corner of Normandy now boasts a dedicated Impressionism museum. The main aim of this new museum in Giverny is to promote the international nature of the Impressionist movement with particular attention given to the Giverny colony and the artists of the Seine Valley. The museum will also highlight the history of Impressionism, post-Impressionism and the influence on subsequent movements in the second half of the 20th century.
  
  
• The Hôtel Baudy: In the old days this mythical site was visited by many artists, including Cézanne and Rodin, who came to Giverny in search of inspiration. The Hôtel Baudy is now a café-restaurant, whose espaliered garden, with its numerous varieties of old roses, is a place of contemplation.
• The International Chamber Music Festival is held in Giverny from the end of August to the beginning of September.

Around Giverny 

• The Old Mill in Vernon:
  next to the bridge over the Seine, this curious old house, called the Old Mill, is balanced above the water. It inspired Claude Monet to paint it from his boat, which was also his studio, in 1883, the year he settled in Giverny. Under the tress near the mill are 7 bronze statues, the work of a Vernon artist now in Japan, which bring a touch of modernity to this ancient spot.
  
  
• Eure Valley tourist train: before entering the impressionist world of Claude Monet, take a ride on an old-fashioned train, to discover the lovely Eure valley.