The Gift Shop and the Water Lily Studio

You've finally made it into Monet's house. But the first thing to greet you isn't the garden or the house itself. It's the gift shop, and you'll leave through it, too. It's a place to meet Monet's art on all sorts of products: notebooks, glasses cases, postcards, napkins and more all carry "Water Lilies," Claude Monet's signature work and one he painted right here in Giverny. There's even a large framed version on display, so this is the first place to see those famous water lilies.

Most of Monet's paintings are in museums or private collections, so every painting hanging in the house is a reproduction. They're lovely all the same. And there's a reason water lilies hang here: this was Monet's water lily studio, where he completed the series. Step out of the shop toward the garden and turn around to face the entrance, and you'll see the words "Atelier des Nymphéas" (Water Lily Studio). Take a quick look, then head on to the flower garden.