Monet's Giverny Garden Adapts to Climate Change

Claude Monet's garden at Giverny, in the Eure region of France, is facing the challenges of climate change and must adapt to survive. The garden, which Monet created after moving there in 1890, is now owned by the Académie des Beaux-Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti francese) along with the artist's house. The summer of 2026 brought record temperatures in France, reaching up to 44°C, and caused significant stress to the plants. Rémi Lecoutre, the deputy head gardener, told France Info that mini-irrigators and underground irrigation helped combat water stress, but some leaves still burned and many flowers wilted. The garden's diversity has been a key protective factor, as monocultures are more vulnerable. Monet himself planted species that flowered for only 15 days, and this approach has helped. To adapt, the garden will plant more heat-resistant species, such as water lilies, which thrive in dry climates, and will phase out plants like nasturtiums that suffer from drought and beetle infestations. Additionally, some flowers will bloom earlier than usual, and the garden must be allowed to change rather than being preserved as a static museum piece. The goal is to keep the garden in bloom from April to October. The article was written by Giulia Giaume and published on Artribune.