For visitors to Paris, one of the most delightful day trips is an excursion to Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny. Despite the crowds, this artist’s Normandy house and garden—just an hour from the French capital—is an inspiring place that sheds light on the life and work of the great Impressionist painter.
Here’s some fun news from Paris: SNCF, the French rail company, unveiled a new service of “Impressionist Trains” this spring, that carry visitors from Paris Gare St Lazare to Vernon-Giverny (the station closest to Giverny). For this exclusive summer service, the trains are decked out with reproductions of Impressionist paintings and photos of architecture from the Musée d'Orsay. (The Paris museum is the famous home to stunning Impressionism galleries.)
Departing at 11 am and returning at 6:53 pm every Saturday and Sunday until September 27, 2015, the train service provides an additional perk. Each passenger’s ticket also provides entry to Monet’s house and garden and the Impressionism museum there. For more information, visit the official website (in French): www.ter.sncf.com/haute-normandie/loisirs/le-train-de-limpressionnisme
Image of Claude Monet’s house at Giverny courtesy of the Foundation Monet
