Wednesday Vacation Blogging: Giverny

Today we'll take a pastoral break from our usual urban vacations and visit a lovely spot in France: Monet's house and garden in Giverny. We took a day trip from Paris last June, taking the train to Vernon and a bus to Giverny along with many other tourists. Mrs. Generik, who is a big fan of flowers and impressionist painters, was in heaven.

Just outside the train depot in Vernon.

Waiting for the bus.

Almost there!

The garden at Monet's house is wild and overgrown -- but it's a managed wild and overgrown.

The house itself. Unfortunately, no picture-taking is allowed inside.

A view of the garden from the upstairs window (you can take pictures out the window, you just can't take any pictures of the interior).

Shut up. It's art.

The pond where the famous water lilies are that Monet painted is huge and sprawling -- and beautiful.

A water lily.

When we go on vacation, I take pictures of buildings. Mrs. Generik takes pictures of flowers.

Lots and lots of flowers.

Real close-up pictures of flowers.

Mrs. G, caught in the act.

There are a number of little streams and tributaries off the main pond, and lots of shady spots to sit and meditate or picnic.

Apparently they cultivate not only flowers and trees, but tourists as well.

It's an incredibly lush spot, a perfect place for a sunny summer afternoon.

One of the local residents helps his pal get some shade.