Giverny is not only Claude Monet’s hometown but also a picturesque village which inspired American impressionist painters. They founded a source of inspiration in such a beautiful environment of chalk cliffs, fields, rivers, and light. Claude Monet lived almost 43 years (1883-1926) in Giverny. With an unlimited passion for gardening and colors, the Master manicured his flower and water gardens like works of art. In walking through the house and gardens, you feel the atmosphere that reigned at Monet’s home and the marvel at the floral compositions and, his greatest source of inspiration. You will visit his house, gardens and Japanese prints collection. The passion Monet felt for Japan led him to introduce Japanese touches into the completely original universe he had created in Giverny. The inspiration he drew from the Japanese art of gardens is clearly visible in the planning of the pond which he transformed into a spectacular « water garden » (elements of vegetation, water Lily pond, etc).
The morning visit is followed by a gourmet lunch in Giverny. You will relax and enjoy your lunch in a typical Normand-style villa, decorated in a haven of peace and serenity.
You will visit Auvers-sur-Oise in the afternoon, enjoying the Vexin quaint countryside on the way. Vincent Van Gogh spent the last period of his short life in this village, renting a hotel room in the Auberge Ravoux. Secured by the presence of his brother Theo, Van Gogh founded the serenity and the inspiration which highly influenced his work: he painted more than 70 pictures within only 70 days. Auberge Ravoux is today a museum, a place of memory and meditation that you will visit. You will stroll across the village narrow streets to the Romanesque/gothic church immortalized by Van Gogh, the house of Doctor Gachet, and the cemetery where Theo and Vincent Van Gogh are buried side by side.