Saturday, April 23, 2022

Maman at Monet’s Garden, Giverny

 

I went back to Manderley yesterday..

I mean Giverny

With all the flower painting going on around here it seemed a very good idea and it has been 2 years.

April is tulip month at Monet’s garden by the way. They even have a flower calendar.
PBers tell me they’ve been.
Once is not enough. Its always different every time you go and such an uplifting experience, like who doesn’t need that now?
Practicalities: Mornings seem less crowded. Normandy trains leave from Gare Saint-Lazar and it takes 45 minutes depending when you depart (32€ round trip). A special Monet shuttle bus meets each train. 
A funny thing happened while waiting on line to get on the bus. I burst into tears, streaming down my face. Fortunately no one noticed—too busy worring about getting a seat on the bus. But I had this thought wouldn’t my mother, Isabel have loved Monet’s gardens❤️ With Mother’s Day around the corner and the day before, radio BBC4 had a program on Missing Mother About daughters who lose their mothers at an early age. I was 24, not that young, but still too young in many ways. My mother had such a ‘green ’ thumb. She used to warn us not to touch the petals on her treasured Gardena plant on the porch. They would blacken. Of course I touched them. Isn’t it ironic. Here I am surrounded by lush flowers and painting them like mad?
Back to practicalities: bring lunch. No grocery stores on Giverny and restaurants may not be open during the week except the cafe at the Impressionists Museum.
I did buy this gorgeous jar of jam..to paint of course in the Monet gift shop. And they do have Normandie cookies and caramels…not exactly your 5 fruits and veg, but in a desperate pinch as a snack, t’will do.
I found a stone seat and drew amidst the tulips! You’re no longer allowed to paint. 
I only visited the kitchen 
And Monet’s blue and yellow 

Dining room downstairs. 
CakeboyParis is signing his new beautiful cake book today at the Red Wheel barrow bookstore near Luxembourg gardens today between 4 - 6 and I must run over. Have a Happy Weekend dear PBers. I’m  putting up tons of flower watercolors on Etsy. Do have a look🌸🌷🌸🌷🍓

26 comments:

  1. Love you Carol. Beautiful post today. Ironic that you are no longer allowed to paint in the gardens.
    It is painting En Plein Aire week in Marietta, PA this week ending with a gallery show of 60 artists on Saturday. The cherry trees are in bloom and artists are out on the streets. This is wonderful event that emerged last year from Covid and social distancing.
    Sally

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  2. Very beautiful and touching post. Your mom would be proud of you and the creative life you lead.

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  3. Thank you ❤️
    It means a lot to hear that 💋

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  4. Such a sweet post. Always love seeing pics of Giverny. Loved visiting there with a small tour group. It was as beautiful as I imagined. You’re right, once is not enough! Thanks for posting such a gorgeous and historical place, I was walking the gardens with you!

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  5. This was so special for you to share.I find those memories that strike our hearts.
    The beauty of the gardens is what we need now.
    I have SWEET PARIS book in my hand. Beautiful, lucky you to go to a book signing.
    🗼❤️

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  6. We were at Giverny in June several years ago. All the flowers in the garden were in bloom. The roses were absolutely beautiful. I would have moved into that wonderful home ASAP if only they allowed me.

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  7. Kay Quirk12:37 PM

    Lovely post, Carol. Why don’t the allow painting now? Too crowded? Do you know what the little blue flowers are? Forget- Me-Nots? ~Kay~

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  8. Audrey H.1:24 PM

    Should we get train ticket before we arrive
    We will be in paris May 13-19

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  9. No, no not necessary. Same day or day before. The ticket is good for all trains, all day.
    Its what they call TER…the local trains but only 2 stops.

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  10. Jeanne Marie3:37 PM

    Golly--how lovely to see the gardens that Monet built and that you were there to record the moment----thank you for that--the one item still on the bucket list is Giverny

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  11. Beautiful post, Carol. Giverny is exactly the kind of place that we reflect on our lost loved ones. Especially those with green thumbs. It is a very special place. Thanks for sharing your day. ❤️

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  12. That is so true Bonnie. How right you are. I never thiught of that. It brings to mind our earliest garden experiences. Everyone becomes a child at Giverny.

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  13. Kay - I dont know…too much mess? People with easels would get in the way? Qui sait?

    Thanks Ricki - I’m so glad you enjoyed my trip. I will try to go every month. I want to see the different flowers and next month is peonies!

    Ga - I can’t believe you got Sweet Paris so fast!

    Sally - what a fun idea. I wish they could do that at Giverny🌸

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  14. Monet’s garden is always beautiful and you are right you cannot go too many times.
    Joy, Peace and Good health and Blessings to you.
    I so enjoy your blog

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  15. Thank you Kiwi ❤️
    I like to think so. She loved Paris too.

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  16. Thanks for the beautiful memories. Visiting there was like a religious pilgrimage for me. It was almost other-worldly.

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  17. Awww I hear you about our moms.My mom l’artiste would have loved them too.Thank you for taking us along💕If ever there should be a place to allow painting I feel this should be it.

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  18. It used to be possible. Probably the Pandemic had something to do with it Monique ❤️

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  19. Love perusing your artwork. Do you do tours of Paris at all? Still living on Ile St. Louis?

    Have a happy day in Paris.

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  20. Dorrance10:57 AM

    Your photos are gorgeous!!! Yes, please, go every week 52 weeks, and show us what it looks like

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  21. The flowers change Every Month dear Dorrance
    No way can I go 52 weeks. They close end of October 😊🌸

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  22. Mothers are missed no matter what age they were.

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  23. Bruce you’re absolutely right! But it is nice to have them longer…🌷

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  24. I was 25 when my mom died 45 years ago this spring. And 24 or 25 -- it's too damn early to lose your mom. 45 years this month. I think of all she missed in her own life (and in mine), and like you, when I visit a certain place it floods back that she should be there with me, too.

    I love that you painted in Giverny. I was there in 2009 and long to return for another visit and a longer one (I was with my friend Jerry and I think we tried to do too much that day -- a picnic, a vides grenier in a town along the way. All good, and we didn't rush Monet's property but I would have loved to better discover the museum or town. So thank you for sharing each and every photo! (When I visited, photos inside were not allowed and the photos I wanted most of all were that kitchen and dining room. I just want to live there!)

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  25. Paris est une source d'inspiration et vous aussi ! Très bien!
    j'adore les tulipes...

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  26. Anonymous7:45 AM

    Nice post thank you Chris

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