Giverny's Monet tourism boom bypasses local village

Giverny expects one million visitors in 2026 for Claude Monet's centenary, generating an estimated €10 million in ticket sales for the Maison et jardins de Claude Monet. However, the village of 430 residents with an annual budget of €600,000 sees little economic benefit. Mayor Sébastien Despoix notes the municipality receives only about €50,000 from the gardens for seasonal staff, parking, and security. The site, managed by the Académie des beaux-arts, is exempt from the cotisation foncière des entreprises (CFE) tax that other businesses pay. Local commerce is limited to nine restaurants, one bakery, two food trucks, and four souvenir shops. The Musée des impressionnismes, directed by Cyrille Sciama, captures only 15-17% of the garden's visitors (140,000-160,000 annually), with 80% French clientele versus the gardens' 54% foreign. An exhibition 'Avant les Nymphéas' (until July 5) aims for 100,000 visitors, while contemporary art shows plateau at 40,000. A carte blanche for Daniel Buren starts July 17. Residents report intrusions, with some feeling the village has become a theme park. Real estate prices are 30% higher than neighboring villages, but the town cannot afford to renovate its city hall or replace the school's digital board.