Growing up, one of my favorite books was Linnea in Monet’s Garden, a wonderful story about a young girl who takes a trip to Giverny to learn about Monet and his water lily paintings. It’s probably from demanding that my Mom read this book to me on a nightly basis that my love of Monet paintings came to be. So, by the time my family and I went to Giverny I was well versed on the ins and outs of Monet and his garden – ready to peep under lily pads for frogs, walk across the Japanese bridge, and pet the friendly black cat that Linnea met while walking through the garden.

Although I was only about 3 or 4 when I visited, I distinctly remember being amazed that the boat I remembered so vividly in The Boat at Giverny painting was still in the pond, and devouring one of the best croque monsieurs I’ve ever had at the café Les Nymphéas.

• Linnea of Linnea in Monet’s Garden • The Boat at Giverny•

Aside from strolling through Monet’s home there isn’t much else to do in the town of Giverny, so it’s a perfect little day trip if you’re staying in Paris (only about an hour by bus!). That being said, this house and garden has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth – it’s no wonder that Monet did the majority of his painting in his own backyard. Indeed you’d be silly not to bring your own sketchbook when you visit because every inch of this place is full of beauty and inspiration. And while so many photos are taken of Giverny in the spring, I imagine that it looks equally as beautiful in the summer, winter and fall; can’t you just imagine the walkways covered in snow? Christmas lights filling every branch of every tree? So while the town of Giverny may be small in comparison to my other Weekend Getaways (see here), it easily surpasses them in beauty.

Have you ever been to Giverny?