Église Sainte-Radegonde and Monet's Family Grave
Most visitors walk straight past the small Romanesque church at the top of the village, but the churchyard of Sainte-Radegonde holds Claude Monet's grave — a simple, unadorned slab shared with family members — and offers a genuinely moving, crowd-free counterpoint to the bustle below.
The Church and Its History
Sainte-Radegonde dates from the 12th century and retains its original Romanesque apse, the stone worn smooth and pale as old bone. The interior is plain and cool, lit by narrow windows, with a few devotional objects left by locals — a world away from the manicured splendour of the foundation.
Monet attended this church, and his funeral was held here in December 1926. A small plaque inside records his connection to the parish. The building is usually unlocked during daylight hours and entry is free.
The Grave and the Churchyard
Monet's grave is in the far corner of the churchyard, marked by a simple flat stone engraved with family names including his son Michel. There are no ropes, no admission fee and often nobody else there — a stark and affecting contrast to the crowds 200 metres downhill.
The churchyard wall gives a fine view over the rooftops of the village towards the Seine valley. In spring, apple trees in the adjacent orchard are in blossom, and the scene looks uncannily like a painting Monet might have made on a quiet afternoon.
Combining with the Village Walk
Walk up from the foundation along the Rue Claude Monet — the village's single main street — past the old Norman farmhouses, many with cottage gardens that echo Monet's own planting style. The climb to the church takes about 10 minutes from the foundation gate.
Visit the church first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon when the light is warm and the tour groups have retreated to their buses. The combination of the grave, the view and the ancient stone makes for one of Giverny's most quietly memorable moments.
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