Day 9 - Vernon and the Gardens of Giverny...
Our ship continued down the Seine overnight, arriving at and docking in Vernon at 0600 in the morning. After a leisurely breakfast, we disembarked for a short walking tour in the city of Vernon. Back to the ship in time for lunch, then we were off again to visit Monet's gardens and home in Giverny... It was a bit overcast all day but the rain held off. The gardens were incredible, just like all the postcards and photos we had seen but somehow so much better in person. Lots of people there but the crowd management was excellent! After touring the gardens we got to walk through Monet's home, just amazing. Tomorrow is a partial sailing day, next port is the city of Rouen...
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| Start of our walking tour of Vernon... | Plaque commemorating the liberation of Vernon by the British Army in WWII |
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| View of Collégiale Notre-Dame (now Parish Church) | Close up of front of church |
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| A medieval house still standing in the city | Keep of Phillip II |
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| Pretty flowers along the way... | ... and some more. |
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| Approaching Giverny | Entrance to the Giverny site |
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| A useful map of the grounds | I think this sign means "this way to the water gardens"... |
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| Water garden with water lillies. Just like the postcards, incredible | A series of shots of the water garden follow... |
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| More... | ... and more... |
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| ... one more. | Angela on the bridge with the water garden behind her |
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| Approaching Monet's house through the garden | View of the house. There was a line but it moved nicely... |
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| Almost inside... | Finally inside. As you might expect, Monet paintings everywhere. |
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| Sitting area or study perhaps... | Close up of one of the paintings. |
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| Photos on display. | Dining room |
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| Kitchen stove with classic tile. | A cozy sitting area off the kitchen. |
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| Fireplace in the kitchen. | Large studio in the back, now a store. |
