Claude Monet Giverny Gardens Part One

 Claude Monet created these gardens over 40 years. He built the Japanese bridge, planted the wisteria, and watched the light shift across the water until it became everything he wanted to paint. For anyone who has stood in front of a Water Lilies canvas and felt something move — this is where it started.

Our tour group was the first in at 9:30, which meant it wasn't too warm out. So the water lilies weren't at their prime, but they were still lovely. The whole experience was surreal in terms of just being in the gardens and stepping back into Monet's time period. You’ll see almost a hundred different plant species, including flowers, trees, and plants! These sumptuous gardens inspired the French painter and founder of Impressionism. The crowd was building even at 9:30 with a lot of tour groups.
We got our photo taken on the bridge over the lily pond. 

UP NEXT PART TWO MONET'S HOUSE

Celebrating All Things French

When sailing, the crew does a fantastic job providing educational talks and a variety of entertainment. One morning, the three program directors showcased some favorite French snacks for us to sample.

We also had a demonstration on how to make Crêpes Suzette. 

In the evening, before dinner, we enjoyed French apéritif (Champagne) and some nibbles.  

We were told before the trip to bring dress-up type clothes for this evening. I bought a new dress, and Charley reluctantly brought this shirt along. LOL, oh my, did everyone "fuss" over his fancy shirt with many comments. But not one said anything about my dress!

As a side note: My friend Kathleen, who recently passed away, loved all things Paris. She once brought me this bracelet. I carried her spirit with me on this trip, bringing the bracelet.  

Vernon. The city sits on the Seine and has been a crossing point since Roman times, making it strategically important for trade and warfare. The town is home to Old Mill, one of the most photographed sites in Normandy. Claude Monet lived nearby in Giverny, just a few minutes from Vernon. Vernon is the gateway to his famous gardens.   

  To walk into Monet's home, you enter a dwelling dedicated to art and nature. 

Giverny

Alice Hoschedé: Monet’s Second Wife and Partner in Giverny

 French Impressionist painter Claude Monet

Up Next 

A Tour of Monet's Gardens

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN

Rouen Out and About

 This cruise offers plenty of experiences, whether on the boat, during discovery walks through the towns, or on optional tours. 

A host visit sign-up to meet a French family was available one afternoon. Small groups were bused to different homes. Here we met two French ladies who are sisters and welcomed us to their home.

They enjoyed practicing their English. It was suggested we bring a small hostess gift representative of our area as a small thank you. We brought napkins with a cactus design and a jar of prickly pear jelly. The home seemed palatial to us, as it sat high up on a hill with killer views. 

Of course, we were allowed to take inside photos, and these ladies shared a typical late-afternoon snack. 

Cheese plate and chouette (puff pastry) and cider.

The piece de resistance of the day was in the evening - a light show at the cathedral that went on for 30 minutes. 

It reminded us of when, at holidays, some people project a light scene on their garage doors.  This photo was taken during the day  

and these at night 

A Monet theme on this one 

The buildings in this town date back to the 1400s, with some tilting from age.

UP NEXT: Sailing on the Seine with a French-themed day on board. 

Ratatouille

France is renowned for its cuisine. French vegetarian dishes include tomato croque, mushroom tomato quiche, zucchini casserole with red peppers, creamed cauliflower casserole, and the traditional Provencal Ratatouille. Ratatouille is a stewed vegetable side dish that originated in Nice. You can also serve it as a main course. Key ingredients include tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, onions, and herbs. French cooking strives to make the most of locally grown food. This is a great way to use late summer produce. Chefs debate the best way to make this recipe. Some cooks insist on layering the vegetables, sautéing them separately, and then baking them in the oven, while others use the stovetop method. I used the stovetop method.

Remember Remy, the rat who aspires to become a French chef in the movie Ratatouille? I really enjoyed this movie so much that I even purchased it. It's a heartwarming story with many humorous moments.

Cook's notes: This recipe is my version of the classic French dish. Many variations exist, depending on what veggies you use and how you prepare it. I wanted a healthy dish that was packed with flavor. It makes a great side dish. You can serve ratatouille by itself, over pasta, or over rice. Recipe serves 4.
Cooking tip: Dice onions, garlic, and veggies. Place on a plate for easy assembly.
Ingredients:

• 1 can (28 oz) San Marzano Plum Style Tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1-cup sweet onion, diced yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups medium diced eggplant (skin on) that has been salted after cutting, rinsed, and drained so there is no bitterness, or 2 cups asparagus, diced into 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup each red and green peppers
• 1 large zucchini, sliced thin
• 1 cup yellow squash, sliced thin
• 1-1/2 cups chopped tomatoes, patted dry on paper towels
• 3 teaspoons herbes de Provence, divided
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Make the sauce the day before or early in the day for flavors to meld. In a saucepan, add canned plum tomatoes, sugar, and 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence. Break up the tomatoes with a fork. Over low heat, simmer sauce for 30 minutes. Cool and refrigerate.
• Set oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place zucchini, squash, eggplant, or asparagus on the baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over veggies and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence. Roast for 15 minutes.
• In a large fry pan, heat oil and sauté onions, peppers, and garlic until they are lightly caramelized, 5-7 minutes
• Add in diced tomatoes. roasted vegetables, the rest of the seasonings, and 1-1/2 cups tomato sauce (room temperature). Save the rest of the sauce for another dish.
• Simmer on low, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top to serve.

Cook's Notes: I always enjoy reading and trying recipes from skinnytaste.com. The author posts points for the recipes based on the Weight Watchers program.

Rouen, France

 Rouen flourished as a major European city from the 11th century to the 15th century , largely due to the French origins of the English dynasty. Nearly half of th city was destroyed during the the Second World War . Further damage occurred during the Battle of Normandy. Until the city was finally liberated by Canadian troops on August 30, 1944. Joan of Arc was a legendary figure in French history. She was put on trial for heresy, found guilty, and burned at the stake in Rouen on May 30, 1431. 25 years later, a new investigation overturned the verdict and declared the trial unjust. Joan was canonized as a saint of the Catholic Church in 1920. She is now one of France's most revered national symbols for her extraordinary courage and faith. 

A recommended book about St. Joan of Arc

Rouen Cathedral is a Catholic church in Rouen, Normandy, France. It is the archiepiscopal seat of the Archbishop of Rouen, Primate of Normandy. It is famous for its three towers, each in a different style. 

At night, they had a light show projected on the cathedral, which made for  a stunning sight.

The town is a popular destination and was quite crowded. 

The Gros-Horloge (English: Great Clock) is a 14th-century astronomical clock.
The clock is installed in a Renaissance arch crossing the Rue du Gros Horloge. The mechanism is one of the oldest in France, with the movement made in 1389. Construction of the clock was started by Jourdain del Leche who lacked the necessary expertise to finish the task, so the work was completed by Jean de Felain, 
The clock was originally constructed without a dial, with one revolution of the hour-hand representing twenty-four hours. The movement is cast in wrought iron and, at about twice the size of the Wells Cathedral clock, is perhaps the largest such mechanism still extant. A facade was added in 1529 when the clock was moved to its current position. The mechanism was electrified in the 1920s and it was restored in 1997. As of 17 September 2025, the clock movement itself is fully functional. An electrical solenoid rings one of the two bells in the tower on the 1/4 hr.

Indoor market photo posted by Bob Goldie

The dessert of the day was absolutely a stunning presentation of chocolate cake and ice cream.

Chicken in a red wine sauce served with potatoes.[

D Day Omaha Beach and National Cemetery

Omaha Beach was one of five Allied beach landing sectors of the amphibious assault component of Operation Overlord during the Second World War.

On June 6, 1944, the Allies invaded German-occupied France with the Normandy Landings. "Omaha" refers to a (5 mi) section of the coast of Normandy, France, facing the English Channel. From west of Sainte Honorine des Pertes to east of Vierville-sur-Mer on the right bank of the Douve River estuary. Landings here were necessary to link the British landings to the east at Gold with the American landing to the west at Utah, thus providing a continuous lodgement on the Normandy coast of the Bay of the Seine River. United States Army troops were responsible for taking Omaha by sea, with a naval bombardment force provided mainly by the US Navy and Coast Guard. The British, Canadian, and Free French navies also contributed. 

Bunker

• 

Located along the Normandy coast and overlooking Omaha Beach, the Normandy American Cemetery is one of the most significant World War II commemorative sites in Europe. The cemetery is home to 9387 graves of American soldiers who died during the Second World War, and the names of 1557 missing soldiers are engraved in the Garden of the Missing. Also known as D-Day, the Normandy landings of June 6, 1944, resulted in heavy losses, to which this estate pays tribute.

Did you know the average age of soldiers in World War II was 22?

The Grand Circle Travel Group organized a small tribute to those who have served in the Armed Forces in any year, thanking them for their service. Charley is on the left. 

The magnificence of the cemetery in terms of landscaping and meaningful memorials scattered throughout the grounds was quite impressive, moving, and touching.