I will have the opportunity to visit Giverny on either April 13th or April 20th. Which date would be better for the best flower viewing, or won't it make a difference?<BR><BR>I know that it might seem silly to ask about 2 dates that are so close together, but I know that in New York, one week can mean the difference between buds and blooms.<BR><BR>Thank you to all that can help.

I vote for April 20th<BR>We were there May 2nd and it was spectacular.

<BR>If the weather forecast for April 13 is nice and sunny, I'd definitely go then. You never know, how the 20th will be.<BR>Only problem, if you need to decide right now.<BR><BR>I remember one Easter in Paris, when it was cold and snowing and it was in late April.<BR>Bonne chance!<BR>

It's a toss up, but I'm leaning toward the advice about going on the first date if you will have fine weather.<BR>A week later may or may not give you significantly more blossoms, but it's no fun walking through a wet and sloppy garden in a downpour.

Just be sure to go, whichever date you choose. We loved our visit in early May several years ago. It rained, quite hard for a while. We had an umbrella for some protection (always carry one when we travel in Euope and often need it) and, while we would have preferred a sunny day, it didn't diminish our time there that much. In fact, it was really quite beautiful standing on the Japanese bridge and watching the rain hit the lily pond and create little circle. <BR><BR>We went a bit later than you plan to go and the gardens were lovely. The bridge was covered with wisteria (a favorite of mine). I hope you have a beautiful day for your trip, but just wanted you to know about the wonderful experience we had even in the rain.

The last poster brought up a very important factor. When that wisteria over the bridge is in bloom, it is breathtaking. rain or no rain

I agree absolutely, though I fear that April might be early for wisteria in its glory<BR><BR>I change my original advice now that my own memories of two wonderful visits to those gardens have been revived: go, go later if you like, go in the rain, but go

I'll strongly agree with the previous posters:<BR>1. Go on the 13th if it's sunny.<BR>2. If you don't go on the 13th, then definitely go on the 20th rain or shine!

Thank you for the replies. I will definitely visit Giverny, even in the rain if I must. Does anyone know when the wisteria begins to bloom? I love wisteria and that would certainly be a bonus.

The end of April to mid-May

I was there around April 4th a couple of years ago and the only thing blooming was the tulips. I would say later is better, it also depends on what kind of winter weather they have had and that I do not know.

When is the wisteria in full bloom?

I was there at the end of May and the bridge was covered with wisteria. Previously, I was there the first week of April and there was lots in bloom - flowering trees, pansies, tulips, irises and other spring flowers.

I've been there twice, once in May 1999 and in May 2000. There were different flowers each time -- one time I remember seeing a lot of yellow, the next time a lot of purple. The second time, the bridge was completely covered in wisteria; it had rained a lot during the previous month and plants were bursting with blossoms. I think what you see will depend somewhat on the weather during the previous few weeks to your visit.<BR><BR>You may find some useful information at www.giverny.org.<BR><BR>Also, you can see my photos at www.travelswithdiane.homestead.com/france3.html<BR>

luvtotravel, thank you so much for your beautiful photographs of Giverny. I thouroughly enjoyed your travel site, and the music is a very nice touch which truly adds to the mood.

A year ago the 13th of April we walked the gardens of Monet and the streets of Giverny. The weather was cool and the skies were cloudy BUT the gardens and pond were JUST BEAUTIFUL! Tulips and Iris were the flowers of the day and regardless of the conditions of the weather, we enjoyed every moment!

My first viit to Giverny was in May 1997. Arranged my own trip out of Paris - it seemed everything was in bloom - magnificent - my pictures were beautiful - people seeing them thought they were postcards.<BR><BR>Will be visiting Giverny again this year in April. From all reports I have. everything is in bloom and ready for a vist from all us Monet people.<BR>P.S. I am (based on a recommenation) leavin Giverny and traveling to the Musee Marmottan in Paris to see the paintings depicting all I have just seen at Giverny.