Monet's Enchanting Gardens: A Captivating Oasis in Giverny

During our recent visit to Normandy, we had the pleasure of staying at our friends' "Maison de campagne" in Fontaine-sous-Jouy, a location near the renowned village of Giverny. Giverny is renowned for its exquisite gardens and its association with Claude Monet, who resided there from 1883 until his passing in 1926. We had the opportunity to explore Monet's former residence, including his studio, and leisurely wandered through the vibrant gardens adorned with the famous water lily pond and Japanese bridge. Giverny is also home to the Giverny Impressionism Museum, where we were fortunate to experience the captivating "The Children of Impressionism" exhibition. With an impressive collection of around one hundred works, including pieces by Monet, Gauguin, Cassatt, and Morisot, the exhibition offered us a glimpse into the intimate aspects of Impressionist families that extended beyond idealized images. The exhibition also ventured into the present day, delving into the lives of contemporary children and adolescents through captivating photography, including the works by Martin Par. There is one downside to Giverny, which is the popularity of the village itself and Monet's residence. The influx of visitors from around the world, including Americans, French, and Asian tourists, meant that we had to queue for hours to visit certain places. However, we were fortunate that the museum, which we considered the most important attraction, did not attract as many people. Despite the crowds, our visit provided us with an unforgettable firsthand experience of Giverny's artistic legacy and the enchanting beauty of its natural surroundings – Giverny, Normandy, France

P.S. My Leica M10 unexpectedly stopped working during the shoot, leaving me with no choice but to continue capturing the moments using my trusty iPhone. It's a reminder that the best camera is the one you have at hand and that functions properly.