Monet’s Garden

Maule was en-route, so we stopped off for a coffee in the Petit Quinquin. It was quiet. Most shops are shut on Mondays, but it caught us slightly by surprise as we were remembering a bustling town centre with a busy market - but that was only on Saturdays.
Giverny, on the other hand, was very busy. Retired, knowledgable, refined, mature, fine art connoisseurs and appreciators like ourselves meandered around the town and gardens soaking up the atmosphere. Some gave away their heritage by using mobile phones to take their selfies, but most carried serious photo paraphernalia around their necks and pointed them at the lilies. Late summer sun showed the gardens at their best perhaps, and we had a wonderful visit. No original Monets on show, but copies everywhere in the house and trinkets galore in the inevitable and expensive shop at the entrance/exit. We resisted our urges to buy silk ties adorned with waterlilies at €100, and settled for a meal in the next door restaurant - “Le Petit Giverny” where Brittany sausages and baked potatoes grilled in a modified pizza gave a flavour of the area. Later, back at Vicq it would be party left overs with local wines as we gave a blow by blow account of our visit.