Two unmissable
Paris sights in one day: Giverny and the Palace
of Versailles.
Giverny, France,
is a timelessly beautiful village and an iconic
place that was home to Claude Monet, the
Impressionist painter. Visit the famous gardens
that inspired the artist, as well as his house
and studio. Discover the magnificent Palace of
Versailles, the residence of Kings Louis XIV,
Louis XV and Louis XVI of France and their
courts from 1682 to the French Revolution in
1789. As you listen to your guide, admire the
palace's architecture and its beautiful rooms,
such as the famous Hall of Mirrors. Enjoy free
time in its stunning French-style gardens.
Pick up at your Paris accommodation at 8:15 a.m.
for a minibus journey of around one hour and 15
minutes to Giverny. The number of participants
is limited to eight to allow you to enjoy a
personalized excursion with your driver-guide.
Immerse yourself in the world of Claude Monet,
famous for his many paintings of different views
of his garden. The artist Claude Monet lived in
Giverny for more than 40 years, from 1883 until
his death. Your driver-guide will take you to
the gardens. Spend time wandering around the
Clos Normand Flower Garden, home to a number of
plants of Eastern origins, the multicolored
flower beds, and the stunning water garden, so
famous for its water lilies and Japanese
bridge.
Visit Claude Monet's house, where he lived and
worked, at your own pace. Explore the reading
room that leads into the larder and the artist's
studio. As well as those of his private
apartments, these rooms have been reconstructed
with Monet's original furniture. Visit the
dining room, home to Monet's collection of
Japanese prints (one of the largest in the
world), as well as the blue-tiled Kitchen. At
the end of your tour, take the opportunity to
visit the Impressionists Museum and the lovely
gift and book shop housed in what was once the
Water Lilies studio.
After your two-hour visit, enjoy a delicious
lunch in at a restaurant, ten minutes from
Giverny (local food with a twist).
Menus in small group tours*:
Green lentils and smoked haddock, salad
/ Normandy-style chicken, fricassee of
vegetables / Traditional apple tart, vanilla ice
cream
Menus** in private basis tours*:
Starter at choice: Le gaspacho de tomates fait
au moulin, tartine croustillante de chèvre frais
or Foie gras de canard des landes mi-cuit, pomme
et pain grillé
Main course at choice: Saumon rôti, ratatouille
minute, caviar d’aubergines et olives noires Or L’onglet
de veau poêlé, purée et jus de veau, mélange de
salades et d’herbes fraîches
Dessert at choice: Velouté de fruits de saison,
sorbet et spéculos Or Tartelette aux fruits de
saison
Child Menu**:
Œuf mayonnaise Or Salade de tomates / Blanc
de Poulet Or Poisson avec frites ou légumes / 2
boules de glace
Vegetarian Menu**:
Tarte de légumes de saison et bouquet de salade
frisée / Farandole cuite et crue de légumes du
moment / Tarte aux pommes (crème glacée ou
crème)
Drinks:
1/4 bottle of red wine (while wine on request)
Coffee
Water
*
Example of menu, subject to modification
** The menu is not available in english
In
the afternoon, spend two hours discovering the
Palace and Gardens of Versailles. Your guide
will take you to the palace entrance. Skip the
line to visit the most beautiful rooms with a
guided tour: these include the King's
Apartments, with seven salons each decorated on
the theme of a different god, and the Queen's
Apartments. Stroll along the sparkling Hall of
Mirrors, imagined by the architect Jules
Hardouin-Mansart as a place for parading and
being seen. Designed to dazzle the Sun King's
visitors, this huge hall with marble and gilded
bronze decoration was somewhere to stroll and
meet. Once your guide has told you about the
different parts of the palace, spend time
exploring the Gardens of Versailles while you
admire their magnificent sculptures (marble
statues, busts and vases), fountains and ponds.
In Summer, a range of activities is staged in
the gardens, such as the Grandes Eaux Musicales,
when the fountains dance in time with music.
Your return to your Paris accommodation is
scheduled for approximately 5:15 p.m.
Please note :
- Flat shoes are strongly recommended
(Versailles has parquet floors in its rooms and
cobblestones in its courtyard)
- Strollers are not permitted in the palace
- The itinerary and schedule are subject to
change depending on traffic or site schedule
changes.
- The skip-the-line access is subject to
the Versailles Palace procedures: The Vigipirate
plan, the security control or an unforeseen
crowd can slow down the entrance.
The price includes :
* Minibus transfers to and from your Paris
accommodation
* Services of our driver-guide
* Priority access ticket for the Palace of
Versailles and its gardens (with the exception
of the Trianons de Versailles)
* Entrance ticket at Giverny for Claude Monet's
house and gardens and the Impressionists Museum
* Lunch