September in Monet's Garden

The famed impressionist painter, Claude Monet, made his home in Giverny, France, from 1883 until his death 43 years later. During those years, he built the gardens around his farmhouse, constantly reworking parts of them to create the beautiful landscapes that became the subjects of his paintings. Working with plants allowed him to experiment with colors and textures in various combinations. He created a Japanese garden because he was fascinated with Asian art. He found a way to divert water from a nearby river to fill a pond where he grew aquatic plants, most notably his famous water lilies.

The garden in September has a different color palette than is found there in spring, or in summer, when the water lilies are in full bloom. But there is a quality to the light in early autumn that casts everything in a certain glow that is quite special.

The green foot bridge so familiar from Monet's paintings is almost lost in the abundance of weeping willow foliage as you look across the pond.

Here's the view as you walk across the bridge.

From the bridge, you look down onto the water lilies, a few still blooming here and there. Monet's series of water lily paintings are perhaps some of the best known of his works. 

Fall blooms include roses, dahlias and trailing nasturtiums that flow onto the walking path. 

A sure sign of fall is the reddish tinge on the Parthenocissis vine 

that grows on the walls of the house. 

For more information about Monet's Garden, including travel information, visit the garden website.

Related posts:

Le Jardin Luxembourg - Paris

Les Jardins de France