We will be in Paris 4/21-4/28 and are considering a side trip to Giverny, if it's blooming. If it isn't, is it still worth the trip? Thanks.

Dave

absolutely, it is worth it. we went in early march and it was cold but still worth it. the early bulbs were up. the pond and bridges were gorgeous. the planting of fritillarias, orange and yellow, were magnificant. i imagine that in late april it would be lovely with bulbs, flowering trees, and flowering shrubs. i am a gardener, so know what i am talking about! go.

Here's a link to what is blooming in April (as well as other months):
http://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/calendar.htm
I went in October a couple of years ago a bit out of season and it was pretty great as far as I am concerned. Unfortunately the water lilies were not blooming then.
Enjoy!

I hope you will consider it. When visitng Giverny, I didn't notice the flowers (it was pouring rain in May), but was fascinated with the views around the pond, knowing when I was standing at a certain point on the path, I was seeing a "frame" of a vantage point that Monet had painted.

I remembered seeing a photo essay in National Geographic where a photographer recreated some of Monet's paintings through her camera lens. I had fun trying to do the same. It was also enjoyable to see the house interior, there is a nice gift shop, and Giverny is a lovely town.

I was in Paris the last week of April/first week of May this past spring. Went to Giverny and everything was in bloom. (Although it was unusally warm that week). It was like stepping into one of Monet's paintings. The Wisteria was beautiful. I also visited the Loire Valley on that same trip. You picked an excellent time to go.

Go!! It was the highlight of our Paris trip last September. It is just magic, plan to spend enough time to see the American Impressionist museum and have lunch at the Hotel Ancien Baudy at the end of the village. Take lot and lots of photos, mine look like postcards, I was very happy! The Monet "shop" is also quite good, some good stuff as well as the cheaper bits and pieces.

Thanks for all the prompt responses. We'll go!! Dave

Hi Dave!
We'll see you there! No matter what is or isn't in bloom, we're still anxious to feel the aura of it! Will be in Paris 4/22-4/30. Also going to the Loire for 2 days. Very short visit, but can see at least 2 chateaux. Thanks everyone for the endorsement!

Hi Dave,

We visited Giverny in mid-Oct a few years ago and I was surprised at all the flowers. I asked one of the employees how they keep the gardens so colorful. Answer: greenhouses! They replant the gardens 3 - 4 times a year out of their greenhouses.

Regardless, it was beautiful and like the others, I would go even without blooms. The gardens, ponds, bridges, you can easily see where Monet was inspired.