4.1.2 France

As early as 1914, France Government instituted the National Fund of Historical and Prehistorical Monuments, aimed to buy and restore the significant national heritage.^[7]After series of official heritage laws and measures, in the mid-1980s, Regional Historical, Archaeological and Ethnological Heritage Commissions was established, designed to protect the historic building groups, neighborhood and local identity, including the historic significant residences.^[8]Meanwhile, the former residences of writers and artists have a significant influence on our contemporary society because of their unique tangible and intangible cultural characteristics.Therefore, the French Ministry of Culture launched several investigations into the former residences of writers and artists nationwide, believing that the historical positions of the famous writers’ and artists’ former residence should be determined, and a series of suggestions should be put forward for the protection and development of this kind of historic residence.

There are numerous famous historic personalities’ residences in France, such as: Victor Hugo house in Paris, Balzac House in Paris, Delius House in Fontainebleau, Claude Monet House and Garden in Giverny, Jules Verne House in Amiens, Alexandre Dumas House in Roscoff.Among them, the sacred place of the Impressionist lover, Monet’s house and garden in the small town Giverny is popular.

Figure 4-5.Monet’s Residence in Giverny(https://www.daowen.com)

Born in Paris in 1840, French painter Claude Monet is one of the representatives and founders of Impressionism.^[9]Monet House and Gardens are located in the eastern part of Giverny in Le Havre, Normandy.At the end of April 1883, when Monet passed through the town of Giverny by train, he was deeply attracted by the tranquil atmosphere and decided to settle there.Monet house is the place where he lived and worked for more than 40 years (Fig.4-5).The garden is divided into two parts: water garden and flower garden.The flower garden located in front of the house is rectangular, covering an area of about one hectare.The water garden subtly introduces the river of nearby into the garden, forming a small pond.Monet planted water lilies in the pond, weeping willows on sides, with a green Japanese bridge placed over the water.This beautiful and exotic scene accompanied by the infinite transformation of light and shadow inspired Monet.In 1914, Monet built a large studio in courtyard, where he completed his famous work “Water Lily” series and “Japan Bridge” series (Fig.4-6).^[10]

Figure 4-6.Monet’s Water Garden

During his life here, Monet became not only the leader of Impressionism, but also the pioneer of modern painting.After Monet, a large number of painters also moved here, making Giverny a veritable painter town.During World War II, Monet’s house and garden was seriously damaged, and the son of Monet, the inheritor of this residence, was unable to repair it.He donated it to the National Academy of Fine Arts in 1966.^[11]Nowadays, after restoration and the application of good management principles, Monet’s house and garden are revitalized.Now, the town is still very small.The main attractions consist of the Monet House, the Garden, the Impressionist Museum and the Monet Grave.known as the sacred place of the Impressionist lover, this small town attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world every year.