Giverny

After Monet died in 1926, his son Michel inherited the estate. He had no interest in Giverny and his stepsister Blanche Monet became the caretaker of the house and garden until her death in 1947. After her death the house and garden fell into neglect.

In 1966 Michel bequeathed the house, garden, and water lily pond to the French Academy of Fine Arts. Gerald van der Kemp, the curator at Versailles, raised funds from American donors for a project to restore Monet’s home. The house and gardens were opened to visitors in 1980. Today Giverny is visited by tourists from all over the world.