Monet's Garden, Giverny and Les Andelys

Since we've been here we have headed out of town only a few times, but never 'just outside' Paris. We had our trips to England, Nice-Monaco and Prague. So it was time for a little road trip. Add the facts I hadn't driven in 6 months (yes I know, can you imagine the pain I've been suffering) and that my mum and Erik are on their third visit to Paris since we've moved here, it makes a perfect reason to get out of dodge for a day.

We rented a car in Paris and made our way along the Seine. Empty roads on a Saturday morning in August in Paris. Phew! The destination was Monet's garden and house in Giverny, about 80 kms west of Paris. As any road trip with my mum, you don't just take the autoroute to get there. You have to take some small side roads, just to see what you find. My mum had been in this area previously so she knew what to expect. Little French villages, along rivers and up against white chalk cliff banks. Quite picturesque indeed.

Once we arrived at Giverny we met up with a friend of Mack's who is doing a 6 month intership at Monet's garden during his horticulture schooling in NYC. Talk about a change from NYC to the little village of Giverny. We had met Chris the weekend before at Les Grandes Eaux de Versailles. He also spends time working near Versailles and Jardin des Plantes in Paris. Chris showed us around a bit then left us to explore Monet's house and garden. Even though it was quite busy it was amazingly relaxing. No wonder Monet's paintings are so are inspiring. I won't try and put words to it, I will just let the pictures do the talking.





After the house and garden tour, we met up for lunch with Chris at the Hotel Aubry just down the street: huge salads and good wine were enjoyed by all. We strolled the rest of the village and came across a small little museum: basically a bunch of old guys repairing old industrial equipment.


After Giverny we headed west along the Seine through the town of Vernonnet where we 'stumbled upon' an old mill, still clinging on to the remnants of a medieval bridge and tower.


The town of Les Andelys, is home to Chateau Gaillard, a castle built in the 1100's, that has seen it's days of action. Once it was no longer required, it was systematically pulled town to prevent it from being used as hiding and gathering spot for groups of thieves or rebels to plot against the kings of the day.


On the way back to our place in Paris, we stopped for an apero at Mack and Petra's place. Bread, cheese and wine of course.

Our next trip out of town will be at the end of September when Rob and Cynthia come to visit. We are going to meet them in Belgium on their way into Paris from Germany, so stay tuned.

More pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/DKSPENCE76