The Early Spring Garden

by Ariane ~ January 20, 2015

giverny-windowThis is what Claude Monet could see when he gazed through his bedroom’s window in April. Last year spring was very early and the first colors were already there at the opening of the garden. Wallflowers make a striking effect combined with tulips, while daffodils and jonquils form islands of white and yellow flowers on the lawns. In the distance, the tall trees of the water garden don’t have any leaves yet. It is just a matter of days.

4 Responses to “The Early Spring Garden”

  1. Louise Says:

    Hello Ariane

    Just wanted to say how much I appreciate your blog. Especially when you post photos taken after hours or when the garden is closed during the winter, it makes me feel like you are sharing a little secret.

    I love the language you use as well. With its French twist, it sounds so poetic and beautiful. I think if you were a native English speaker, there would not be such vivid, delightful turns of phrase.

    I have not yet been to Monet’s garden but I will for sure one day. In the meantime, I have your blog. Thank you.

  2. Ariane Says:

    Louise, thank you so much, you are so sweet supporting my efforts in trying to speak your beautiful language!
    It is a joy to share the magic of this place, you know. It is easy for everybody to enjoy an almost empty garden: just be there between 5 and 6 pm. During the winter, the garden is beautiful when it snows, but it happens rarely, not yet this year.
    Thank you for your encouragement. Hope to see you one day at Giverny!

  3. Wendy Says:

    Ariane,

    We are planning a trip this spring/early summer, and though we would be staying in Paris for most of our eight days or nine days in France, coming to Giverny is the heart of our whole trip and a dream of mine since childhood. I am a recently-retired art teacher and my husband is both interested in art, loves to take photos, etc..

    What we would like to do is see the gardens and take a tour the first day, then come back and draw & take pictures the
    next — or maybe the other way around? We would like to be staying as close to Giverny as possible.

    Do you have any suggestions as to how to best accomplish this? Is it possible? We don’t want to go further in our plans
    without making sure we have Giverny settled!

  4. Ariane Says:

    Wendy, That sounds like a very good plan! You will find all the information you need to plan your trip on giverny.org. And I will be thrilled to guide you in Monet’s gardens, of course!

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