Monet’s House & Garden, Giverny

Monet’s House & Gardens – what can I say. A BEAUT! I’ve wanted to go here for so long and we made it our first stop on our French road trip in the van. What a stop it was! Scorching hot too and the flowers were in full bloom. But don’t the pictures full you – it was CROWDED when we went towards the end of August! But I have heard there is rarely a quiet time of year! So just go…

After an early crossing from Dover, the drive was 3 hours from Calais to Giverny (West of Paris) So we were there by lunch time and it is the most beautiful quaint little French town. The house itself is gorgeous, I ADORED all the teal tones and the art work EVERYWHERE from all different artists. The views of the garden were to die for. Can totally understand why he chose this place to live and was so inspired by its natural beauty. A little tip – we walked round twice without actually finding the iconic waterlily pond – but you have to take the underpass (I know he has his own underpass!!!) which takes you under the road way and into yet another garden which features the pond and tonnes of beautiful bamboo! What a loved most, was you kept spotting the pink and green of the house exterior peeking through from different spots in the garden and it was a glorious unexpected sight every time.

The shop was also fabulous and quite big – bought a Christmas bauble (standard for every road trip we go on!) and this adorable little tin house which we keep in the van to store our findings!

One huge BONUS – if you’re off-grid campers like us – the parking just opposite Monet’s house is FREE annnnd you can stay there over night. Lovely walks all around along the river and fields. A rare find – you must go! Amazing restaurants, cafes and pubs to visit. It was simply lovely and the whole family enjoyed it.

I’d visit again in a heart beat!