Along the Via Romana, three letter “M”s marked on the ground show the spots from which Claude Monet looked at the landscape while he painted, in 1884. Stand on an “M” and look up: among the palms, villas and mountains you will find, with a few changes, the views in his paintings.
It is a short walk, free and always accessible, and part of the itinerary In Monet’s footsteps: a few minutes are enough for each stop.
Monet and the Moreno Gardens
Monet arrived in Bordighera in January 1884 and stayed until early April, lodging at the Pension Anglaise. In those months he painted some forty canvases. From early February he was given permission to work in the Moreno Gardens, the property of the consul and olive oil merchant Francesco Moreno along the Via Romana: an immense park with olives, citrus trees, palms and exotic plants, which Monet described as a fairy-tale garden.
After Moreno’s death the property was divided. Today what remains are the Giardini Monet, a public garden, and a few private villas; Monet’s olive trees still grow in the garden of Villa Mariani. For some views, however, Monet moved outside the gardens, climbing along the Via Romana: according to studies by the Art Institute of Chicago, one of his viewpoints was near the Torre dei Mostaccini.
What to see from the three “M”s
The first “M”
Looking east, the tower of Villa Etelinda appears among the palms and exotic plants and, further off, Bordighera Alta with its bell tower.
The second “M”
With the mountains in the background, on the right is the building of today’s Museo Bicknell and opposite, the tower of Villa Etelinda.
The third “M”
Here the rise towards the imposing Villa Regina Margherita, built thirty years after Monet’s stay, also enters the picture.
Tips for your visit
- How long you need: half an hour for the three “M”s, at a leisurely pace.
- When to go: on a clear day in winter or spring, the season when Monet was here; in the morning the light is softer.
- What to bring: images of the Bordighera paintings on your phone, to compare them with today’s landscape.
- Combine it with: the Giardini Monet, the Pension Anglaise and the whole itinerary In Monet’s footsteps.
Frequently asked questions
What are the “M” signs on the ground in the Via Romana?
They mark the spots from which Monet painted some views of Bordighera in 1884: standing on them, you see the landscape from his exact position.
How many paintings did Monet paint in Bordighera?
Around forty, between January and April 1884. Sources do not agree on the exact number.
Where were the Moreno Gardens?
Along the Via Romana, between the centre and Bordighera Alta. Today what remains are the Giardini Monet and a few private villas.
Do you need a guide?
No, you can follow the route on your own and it is free. For guided tours, ask at the IAT tourist office.
