The first stop in Giverny will be at a local church painted several times by Monet. We will visit the graveyard containing Monet’s tomb and the former Cafe Baudy, which was the residence of many American Impressionists including Whistler, Metcalf, Robinson and Mary Cassatt as well as lodging for Monet friends who visited him, including Renoir, Rodin and Cezanne. You can look at the barn behind the cafe that these artists used as a studio during the winter.
You will use a side entrance to go into the Water Garden that Monet created on a piece of land next to his property. It was inspired by the Japanese gardens portrayed in prints he collected. Next, you will go to the Flower Garden, which contains flowerbeds with flower clumps of different heights arranged by color. Finally, we will arrive at Monet’s house where we will visit the blue room, family living room, Monet’s bedroom, Alice’s bedroom, the dining room and the kitchen. Our visit will finish at his last studio, which was built to paint the Water Lilies paintings and that now houses a gift shop.
On the way to Versailles, you will travel along Route des Cretes with its spectacular scenery of the Seine Valley and make a short stop in the village of Vetheuil where Monet lived for 3 years.
When we arrive in Versailles your guide will recommend a typical French bistro for lunch
(not included)
before your introduction to the Sun King and the palace's history. Your tour of the palace will include the Royal Chapel and the King's Grand Apartment with its seven rooms Hercules Salon, Abondance Salon, Venus Salon, Diana Salon, Mars Salon and Apollo Salon. Next, will be the Hall of Mirros, the War Room, the Queen's Grand Apartment, Guard's Room, Salon des Nobles, the Queen's Bedchamber, the Peace Room, Hall of French History and the Hall of Battles.
Next, your guide will take you on a short walking tour of the gardens before going back to the car for a ride through the park for an outside look at the Grand Trianon and Petit Trianon and your return to Paris.
This tour is provided on a reserved basis prior to departure. Passengers must contact the local sightseeing company upon arrival to reconfirm their tour.
Start time:
8:00 AM
Duration:
Approximately 9 hours
Meeting point:
Hotel lobby if pre-arranged
Ending point:
Hotel or location agreed upon with the driver
Departures:
Daily except for Mondays April-October
Not Included:
Meals, entrance fees other than Monet's house & garden and Versailles, the additional fee for the musical fountains show during summer, gratuities
Additional Information:
Customized itinerary can be discussed with your guide.
Security meausres are enforced in Versailles and may take longer than usual especially during high season.
Refurbishment work in the Palace may affect the areas the tour can visit.
Photo stops and breaks are at your convenience.
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