About this experience
Claude Monet adored Normandy: in Le Havre he spent his childhood and youth, met the self-taught artist Eugene Boudin who helped him unleash his potential, painted the masterpiece 'Impression, Sunrise' in the same place, which became the flagship of a new direction in painting - Impressionism. The small town on the coast of Etretat enticed him with its chalk cliffs, and the wide beaches of bourgeois Deauville were the favorite walking spot with his friend Renoir... On the excursion to Monet's house-estate, I will tell you many fascinating facts about Impressionism and the personality of Monet himself, the genius-hunter of sunbeams and vibrant colors.
What to expect
During the walk through Claude Monet's house-estate, I will tell you many fascinating facts not only about Impressionism as a new trend in art, but also about the personality of Monet himself, the genius-hunter of sunbeams and vibrant colors. You will learn:
- how Monet, already a 'sellable' artist with a loud name, ended up in the quiet village of Giverny;
- how the move to Giverny affected Monet's creativity;
- about several passions of the great master (besides painting, of course);
- about the great idea of the artist when creating the garden in front of his house;
- why having water lilies in your pond in the late 19th century was almost a criminally punishable act;
- what Monet collected and what gift he considered the best surprise;
- what is 'Monet style' in modern interior design and how to embody it at home right after returning from France;
- about 'Monet's Culinary Book' and his favorite dishes;
- about the habits, character, family, and friends of Monet, his truly thorny path to fame;
- how to recognize an ideal Impressionist work and many other educational nuances that will allow you to support a high-level conversation about painting in any company!
After the excursion to Monet's house-estate, you can independently stroll through the village of Giverny: see the legendary Hôtel Baudy, which hosted Renoir, Cezanne, Sisley, Rodin, and American Impressionists; visit the ancient church of Sainte Radegonde, next to which rests Monet's family in a small cemetery, and enjoy a cup of coffee in a lovely rural cafe.
As a result, you will see the places of the beautiful French province that fully reflect the definition of 'picturesque', learn unpopular stories about Impressionism and Monet's life, and touch the atmosphere of the creativity of the great artist, which hovers in the air of his blooming estate.
See you soon in Giverny!
Organizational details
- Notice: the excursion starts in the town of Vernon, where you will arrive independently. We will meet at Vernon's train station and then head to Giverny together.
- Comfortable trains run from the Saint-Lazare railway station in Paris (45 minutes and you are there; I can help you book a train ticket if necessary). The cost of an adult ticket for the Paris-Vernon train starts from 7€.
- Not included in the price:
- entrance tickets to Claude Monet's house-museum: Claude Monet's House + Garden - 10.50€ for adults, 7.50€ for children over 7 years old. Free entrance for children under 7 years old (upon presentation of a relevant document). To avoid waiting in line and save time (we can save up to half an hour), I can (with your consent) pre-purchase tickets for visiting Monet's house and garden (you can give me the cash on the spot);
- tickets for the shuttle from Vernon to Giverny and back (5€ per person one way);
- train tickets from Paris or Rouen. - Important! Claude Monet's house and garden schedule in 2019: from March 25 to October 30. The excursion starts at 11:00 from the Vernon train station.
- The duration of the walk is 2.5-3 hours. The trip to Giverny can be combined in one day with a guided walking tour of Rouen (discussed in correspondence).
