Saturday, January 21, 2012

Sun-Kissed Giverny


Gorgeous sunflowers behind Claude Monet's house in Giverny

In my second novel, Kissed in Paris, uptight event-planner Chloe Turner and rugged undercover agent Julien Moreau set off on a wild chase through France to find a dangerous con-man and Chloe’s engagement ring. Their first stop is Giverny—home to the famous impressionist painter, Claude Monet.


Back when I was a grad student at NYU in Paris, I was lucky enough to take a trip to this gorgeous little town with my professors and fellow students. Giverny is only about an hour from Paris by bus, and it’s the perfect day trip if you’re looking to take a break from the city and breathe in that fresh, French country air.


The country cottage we stayed in during our weekend in Giverny, which also makes an appearance in "Kissed in Paris." Charming, n'est-ce pas?
Me, totally delighted to be staying in a country cottage in Giverny. Who wouldn't be?

My trip to Giverny wasn’t nearly as exciting as Chloe and Julien’s (the police weren’t chasing me around the water lily pond, thankfully so), but I still had an amazing time and totally fell in love with this charming, peaceful French haven. No wonder Monet was so inspired—I would be too if I lived here!

My photo of the beautiful water lily pond and bridge seen in Monet's painting below.

Water Lily Pond by Claude Monet

A wider view of the water lily pond and the weeping willow tree


The lush gardens behind Monet's house

Monet's pink and green country home. Loved it!

Yes, I would be fine with having this as my back yard.

If you’re interested in reading more about Julien and Chloe’s adventures in Paris, Giverny and beyond, Kissed in Paris will be released later this winter. Stop back soon for release date news! And in the meantime, if you can take a trip to Giverny, allez-y!




27 comments:

  1. This place looks so magical. Wish I could float away on one of those lily pads and spend the day napping in the sunlight.

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    1. You would LOVE Giverny, Sophie. We have to go there on our next trip back to France. Maybe it will be a "research" trip for our books! :)

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  2. Wow! I've always loved Monet's paintings and would love to visit Giverny! Your photos are gorgeous; I was transported by them! I can't wait to read about Chloe and Julien's adventures in this lovely town and now I have some great visual aids to go with the story.

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  3. Giverny is truly magical, Tracie. You would love it. Thanks for stopping by!!

    P.S. I can't wait to get back to my Kindle today to read more of Blame It on the Fame! I started it last night and am totally hooked already. You're an incredible writer!

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  4. Absolutely beautiful pictures, Juliette! I can't wait for Kissed In Paris! Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thanks Tonya!! I'll keep you posted on the release date:) Hope writing is going well!

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  5. Lovely photos and yes the cottage looks charming. I hope to take some photos of my own in Monet's garden one day.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Kat! So glad you loved the photos. I hope you get to travel to Giverny one day too:)

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  6. Oh, Juliette,
    Your pictures are absolutely beautiful. I think we could all be inspired by a place like Giverny. Thank you for sharing your story, the pictures and info on your new book. I can't wait to read it!
    Love,
    Katie

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    1. Thanks Katie:) I hope we get to travel to Giverny one day together!! You would love it! Let's catch up this week:)

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  7. Lovely photos. I can't wait to get back to France. Your books are on my TBR list!

    C'est magnifique!

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    1. Merci Melanie! So glad you loved the pics. I can't wait to get back to France too:)

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  8. Great photos. Reading this really makes me want to visit.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! So happy you enjoyed the photos. You have to visit if you ever get the chance. Giverny is really a gorgeous little paradise.

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  9. I absolutely loved Giverny when I was in Paris last April. We took a day trip there. The flowers were all in bloom and it was breathtaking. Your pictures took me back. Beautiful!

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  10. That's fabulous that you got to travel to Giverny last year Lori! Glad my pictures were able to take you back:)

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  11. Juliette, I love your love of France. having lived there, you're making me realize how beautiful it is. Also the characters in your novel, "Sleeping with Paris" are so typically French. Bravo!

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    1. Thanks Sonia:) It's so wonderful that you lived in France for so long. It really is such a beautiful place. I can't wait to get back for a visit! Thanks again for stopping by:)

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  12. Stunning photos! Thank you so much for sharing. You brightened up my day. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to call my travel agent. I'm sure my two young boys won't mind if I leave them with Dad for a week or three.

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  13. Thanks Holly! So glad my Giverny photos brightened your day:) I think it's a fabulous idea for you to jet off to France and leave the kids with Dad!

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  14. It's simply gorgeous - how could you not fall in love? And a great setting for a book. Look forward to more.

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    1. Thanks so much Melissa! Glad you stopped by:)

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  15. I visited Giverny in September when I was in France. I fell in love with it and would love to go back and spend more time there sometime. I did my final French class project on Claude Monet so it had special meaning for me and he is my very favorite impressionist painter. Your pictures brought back fond memories of my own visit last year.

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    1. So glad my pictures brought you back to Giverny. I love Monet's paintings too. Thanks for the sweet comment:)

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  16. I desperately want to visit Giverny. I've promised myself that this year I'm definitely on a TGV headed north :-)

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    1. Yes, you must go Sara. It's so gorgeous there. I wish it were only a TGV ride away for me! Thanks for stopping by:)

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  17. Congratulations on having your new novel out there! The next one I write will have to be set in the South of France somewhere - doing research at home in London is only half as fun ;-)

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