I don't know if this comment is directed at me, in regards to my pictures of the pond and house at Giverny, but if it does, let me tell you that you are right, to some extent.

There is a fairly busy road next to the garden (during Monet's time there were probably just a few horses and carts and the odd Ford car). I didn't make any changes to the picture however. You can make out a crowd of people on the bridge in the background. I did emphasise the colours a bit with Photoshop, that's all. The picture was captured with a Contax G2 (can't remember if it was a 45mm or a 28mm I used). It was near dusk so the colours were livelier than they are at other periods of the day. I also strayed away from the tourist path (not so easy in such a small place) to find the best location. Voila. So I suppose I captured the pond like Monet captured his, in my humble sort of way... I tried to find the best angle, the best light, the best time of the day etc. or may be, it was just a lucky shot...

Anyone going to the garden thinking he/she will find the Giverny's garden like Monet left it or as it appears in his painting, will be disappointed. Thousands of World tourists go there every year. Parkings had to be built in the village to accomodate the buses. Because of that the village has lost its rural atmosphere. It's a pelgrimage place no more no less, but it's still certainly worth the visit. Just avoid the busiest time of the day and months of the year (in Summer).

If you are interested: 11kms away from Giverny, you'll find Les Andelys and the Ch�teau-Gaillard (built by Richard Lion Heart) and Gaillon, about the same distance with it's French Renaissance castle. I have posted a photo placemark for these two places too (and a few others in Dordogne). You'll find the URL at the end of my photo placemark for Giverny.

William Lesourd aka Gauguin