Submitted by Olivia Toth on the 2016 fall semester study abroad program in Paris, France…
This past week, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Giverny, just outside Paris. My friends and I woke up early to catch a train, all very excited to see the gardens of Monet. I always remember studying his works in French class and seeing his beautiful paintings and I couldn’t believe we were about to see the place that inspired many of them in person. When we arrived, the town reminded me of something out of a fairy-tale. The gardens were stunning. The first part was filled with flowers still in bloom even though it was October. The section we were really looking forward to was the water gardens, where Monet took inspiration for his famous paintings of the lily pads. It was like we were standing in the painting Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies when we finally reached this famous site. It was an amazing experience to visit the place where Monet took so much inspiration especially since I’ve always learned about his works in school.