The house and garden of the painter, Claude Monet (1840-1926), are now so popular that it is difficult to explore them without being accompanied, four abreast, by hundreds of people all keen to see and photograph every last feature of his kitchen, dining room, iris bed, wisteria arch and lily pool. But persist! The effort is worth it, especially if you can avoid the peak holiday periods.

The place is very beautiful, highly evocative and thoroughly well maintained. Everywhere you look, the paintings Monet created between 1883 up to his death are marvellously brought to life.

The inevitable shop, which is housed in the painter's former studio, where the huge waterlily paintings were made, is worthwhile and comprehensive. There are extensive free car parks nearby.

Fondation Claude Monet, 84 rue Claude Monet - 27620 Giverny, Eure, France. Tel (0033)(0)2 32 51 28 21. Entry 5.50 euro per person. www.fondation-monet.com

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If you’re at all into impressionism or Monet in particular, then this is an essential day trip. The house is restored, along with original furniture and décor and you can look around most of it – the kitchen is a delight. But it’s the water garden (or Japanese garden as it’s often called) that steals the show. Here you can imagine Monet creating his lily canvasses among the huge, draping willows that surround the ponds. The village has other places of interest, not least the churchyard where the artist is buried, and lies in an attractive rural corner of Normandy.

Fondation Claude Monet, rue Claude Monet 27620 Giverny. Giverny village is 1.5 hours drive north-east of Paris. Guided tours available from the city;
Open: Daily except Mondays, 9.30am to 6pm, from April 1 to November 1;
giverny.org/gardens/

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