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.. The number of participants is limited to eight to allow you to enjoy a personalised excursion with your driver-guide.
Start the day trip by discovering the Palace and Gardens of Versailles for about 2 hours. 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.
After your two-hour visit, enjoy a delicious lunch 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 (white wine on request) Coffee Water
* Example of menu, subject to modification ** The menu is not available in english
In the afternoon, 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.
Your return to your Paris accommodation is scheduled for approximately 5:15 p.m. |