August 30, 2008
Where there is a bubble, there is a fish.
Many fish live in Monet’s lake at Giverny. They help keeping its balance.
There are many rudd, easy to recognize because of their orange fins, and carp.
The carp are not Koi carp, they are wild ones. They come from the Seine river.
A few years ago there was a flood. It was like paradise for carp, they went wandering in an almost endless lake.
Unfortunately for the carp, the water receded, and they were trapped in puddles. They would have died, but the gardeners of Giverny saved them with big garbage cans.
They released them in the pond. Since this day they have been doing well. Now they are big carp and likely to become very old.
And there are also pike in the pond. Several ones, but one is especially big and especially nasty.
Two years ago, a couple of moor hens had made their nest on the island in the middle of the pond. When they had their chicks, seven sweet little chicks, they brought them on the pond to teach them how to swim. Then this greedy pike ate them all one by one.
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June 6, 2008
Monet’s garden at
Giverny is full of roses.
It is not a proper rose garden, for there are also many other sorts of flowers, but nonetheless it is gorgeous in May and June when the roses are in bloom.
They are everywhere, weeping from the umbrella like structures, climbing on trellises, on fences, on trees, on the facade of the house, wrapped around tripods, in bunches, or among peonies and sweet rocket in the mixed borders…
All sorts of colors can be seen, pale cream, pure white, soft yellow, many pinks, red, orange… Not all of them are simple roses but many are scented. Light and delight.
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May 30, 2008
A bust of Claude Monet by the sculptor Daniel Goupil can be admired in Giverny.
Surprisingly enough, the tribute to the master of Impressionism is not exhibited on a well exposed location, in front of his home for instance. On the contrary you have to look for it to find it.
The artist wanted Monet to face the landscape he loved, the meadows and the poplars of the Seine valley.
The bust is situated on the very spot where Monet painted several canvases.
It is to be found on the back of the main parking lot ‘La Prairie’, slightly hidden by a big weping willow.
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May 21, 2008
Monet was 42 when he arrived in Giverny.
Let’s say he was in his forty-third year, and he spent forty three years in Giverny. Exactly half of his life!
When he arrived he was looking for a big house to live with his family. He was lucky enough to find this one.
He felt so happy there he never wanted to move anymore.
Posted in Monet's House 4 Comments »
