Painting: Monet’s Japanese Bridge. Click for large view.

We Visit Monet’s Water Lily Pond and Gardens in Giverny, France with Avalon Waterways

On May 6, 2018, we enjoyed a visit to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France as we sailed the River Seine with Avalon Waterways.

During Cruise Director Jean-Loup’s cruise briefing the night before, he told us all that we needed to be ready to board the coaches at 8:15 in the morning as they expected heavy crowds as it was VE Day Weekend in France.

There was a bit of mumbling in the crowd as that meant that we needed to set alarms to rise at 6:00, breakfast at 7:00, and off of the ship at 8:00.

We arrived around 9:00 and quickly scooted off for the water lily pond to begin our tour.

Here is a short video I shot which made for a wonderful first impression as the frogs greeted us as they croaked among the lily pads.

There is a sidewalk that circumnavigates the pond and here is a photograph I captured looking across the pond at Monet’s famous Japanese Bridge.

Another photograph as I peeked through the trees on our journey around the pond.

Not surprisingly, it was very crowded on the Japanese Bridge as folks (like Carol in my photograph) posed for a photograph as loved ones captured their photograph with zoom lenses from afar.

Between Monet’s house and his pond, he built beautiful gardens.

And when we visited in early May, the tulips were in full bloom.

By the time we got to explore Monet’s house, the place was a mob scene.  But I did manage to grab this photograph of Monet’s studio without any tourists in my shot.  After my photograph, you can see another photograph of Monet in his studio that was taken years ago.

After a bathroom break, and the obligatory ushering through the gift shop, we walked outside to find this massive crowd of folks waiting to get in the gate.

Travel Tip: get there early and avoid the busy summer months.  I can’t imagine what this line must look like in July.  YIKES!

We both enjoyed our visit to Monet’s house, studio, pond, and gardens.  And, the little town of Giverny is big fun to stroll around.  We highly recommend a visit.

For more information or to book an Avalon Waterways river cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.

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