Claude Monet's country farmhouse, with its long plain pink walls surrounded by gardens, painters studio and greenhouse in the town of Giverny in Normandy, France is simply breathtaking. Colourful, beautifully decorated and full of Monet's personal art collection, visiting his house is a highlight on any trip to France.
Claude Monet's House at Giverny
The house bequeathed by Michel Monet on his death in 1966 to the Académie des Beaux-Arts with the aim of safeguarding his memories of his father and to create a place that could be visited by his admirers, is now a place of homage for art and garden lovers and one of the major tourist attractions just outside of Paris.
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The house was Monet's family home where he lived with his wife Alice, raised his children and lived amongst art works by artists he most admired such as Delaxroix, Renoir, Cézanne and Signac. Walking through the house I cannot but be overwhelmed by the sense of visiting a very personal and eclectic art gallery.
How Claude Monet Described His Home
The house surrounded by its large gardens, the Clos Normand Garden and Water Lily garden was "his small independent realm dedicated to art and nature" - Adrien Goetz. Monet is well known for describing the story of his house and how it all started to writer Marc Elder ...
"I bought the house, and little by little I enlarged it. My drawing room was originally the barn ... In the garden we all set to: I would dig, plant and hoe, and in the evening the children would water. As things improved, so I expanded. One day I managed to cross the road and start work on this garden [the water garden and lily pond]".
The Yellow Dining Room
Warm and bathed in golden sunshine, this room will certainly make you smile with its yellow table, chairs and walls. Standing in the very room that Monet dined with his children and entertained guests is a highlight of visiting the house.
The vibrant colours in the house are reminders of the bright colours that Monet created and used during his lifetime. The house is so bright and well presented, even with bedlinen on the beds and crockery on the table that you'd be forgiven for expecting Claude himself to sit at the table, laugh with Alice over a bowl of cassoulet or bring a bunch of bright flowers in from his garden to place on the sideboard.
On a sunny and warm day the windows of the house are opened and the light pours in, just as in the days when the master lived there. The added beauty of the open windows is the unobstructed view of the garden, which particularly from the upper level of the house is stunning. Honestly, it'll take your breath away.
The Blue Salon
Blue, bold and breaking all the conventional design rules of the time, the Blue Salon is the perfect backdrop for the collection of Monet's Japanese print collection. Prints seem to be framed by the bold blue.
The Drawing Room Studio
Peaceful and beautiful this drawing room was Monet's first studio and with the large windows that open out onto the garden it's easy to picture Monet's guests being spellbound by the living art on display when the windows were open. The paintings in this studio were the most important to Monet, as he felt they showcased each stage of his career.
The Epicerie
Can you imagine having a spice room? This little room in Monet's house with its armoire that was filled with aromatic spices, dried flowers and teas must have given off a wonderful fragrance. I love that on the walls there are prints illustrating the boat traders bringing spices from the Orient.
The Kitchen
This was a practical and modern kitchen in its time that created many dishes under the guidance of Monet's three cooks, Caroline, Mélanie and Marguerite. For many visitors to the house, this is a favourite room.
I particularly love the blue and white ceramic tiles from Rouen and the amazing collection of copper pans, pots, fish kettles, frying pans and platters that fill a wall. Talk about copper pot love!
The stove is absolutely enormous and attracts a lot of attention from visitors. I don't think I've seen as big a stove anywhere I've been.
Claude Monet's Bedroom
This private domain of Monet is filled with his simple bed and in striking contrast the magnificent 18th Century commode from the workshop of Louis Delaîre and bureau by cabinetmaker Nicolas Petit. Hung on the walls you'll see copies of the paintings that Monet loved to gaze on in his private space.
Blanche's Bedroom
Blanche was Monet's stepdaughter (Alice being her mother) and at the same time also his daughter in law (she married his son Jean). Her refurnished bedroom with is delicate pink roses, which cover the walls and furnishings, is sweet and endearing.
The Water Lilies Studio
The studio that was home to Monet's water lilies is more than 3,200 square feet and is now a shoppers paradise. It is the official gift store and stocks a wide range of beautiful gifts showcasing or related to the Impressionist’s work including books, umbrellas, scarfs, tableware, posters, xmas gifts, postcards, seeds and more. With very affordable souvenir type items to larger quality items I'm sure you'll not leave empty handed.
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Claude Monet's Garden at Giverny - learn more about the two gardens Monet lovingly created and that inspired many of his paintings. Bursting with colour the garden beds are planted like paint pallets.
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