Giverny

September 29, 2011

Today we decided to take a train ride a bit out of the city and explore Giverny, the gardens and home of Claude Monet. When we arrived in this small artist town, that true feeling of the French countryside was overwhelming. The surrounding hills and wildflowers galore were almost too much to handle and I was prepared to give up my life and become an artist in France.

Monet's house was extremely cute and filled with vibrant colors. I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside, so you'll just have to check it out for yourself. The garden was stunning. Not to take any credit away from the great master, but if I was surrounded by such beauty, I'd probably have enough inspiration to be a painting genius! I have no words for the photos below, besides enjoy and get on booking that ticket to France!

After exploring the gardens, we walked around the adorable village of Giverny. We stopped for a wonderful lunch at an outdoor cafe and explored the village church and cemetery where Monet is buried.

After a lovely day in Giverny, we returned to Paris just in time to see the sunset from the Montparnasse Tower. This was another wonderful recommendation from our bike tour guide (they are full of wisdom, I tell ya). He said, "everyone goes to the top of the Eiffel Tower and they are missing the one thing you really want in your photo. The Eiffel Tower!" So up to the observation deck of Montparnasse Tower we went, and we got some fantastic shots of sunset and the Tower lit up. If none of these fit your fancy, I have about 800 more for you to choose from! Bonsoir Paris!