Claude Monet, 1895Despite many viewings of French Impressionist Claude Monet's Nymphéas (water lilies) at Musee de L'Orangerie in Paris, I'd never been to the artist's famous house and gardens at Giverny where this monumental series of paintings was created. At about an hour away from Paris, it's an easy day trip and over 600,000 visitors make the journey every year between April and October. Joanne ShurvellThere are two parts to Monet's garden: a flower garden called Clos Normand in front of the house and a Japanese inspired water garden on the other side of the road. It is this water garden with its lily pads and green bridge that can be seen in his water lily paintings. Today, the Claude Monet Foundation owned by the “Académie des Beaux Arts” maintains Monet's Giverny and ensures that it "remains a living place" with gardeners employed to preserve and renew the gardens in line with Monet's vision.

Source: Forbes April 29, 2018 19:37 UTC