When the painter Claude Monet (1840-1926) bought his property in Giverny, Eure, a garden of one hectare surrounded the house. A large alley lined with cypress and spruce trees faces the entrance. He had the trees cut down, except for the two cypresses closest to the house, and he tore out the small hedges of pruned boxwood and installed the arches that are still there today. Scented climbing roses cover them and flowerbeds dot the ground. Depending on the season, daffodils, tulips and narcissi are planted alongside irises, oriental poppies, and peonies.