VERSAILLES & GIVERNY
Group size
≤ 16 Persons
Duration
~ 9 Hours
Mode of transportation
Reservation required
Description of the tour
Discover the Palace of Versailles, the residence of the ‘Sun King’ and the home of Claude Monet, ‘Prince of the Impressionists’ in just one day.
Make your way to the meeting point, close to the Eiffel Tower, to meet your guide and small group of up to 16 people in time for an 8.30 am departure time. After a 1-hour journey to Giverny, Traveling aboard an air-conditioned minibus, you will first visit the idyllic home of Claude Monet on the edge of Normandy. The leader of the Impressionist School lived here from 1883 to 1926, the colorful décor and pink brick facade are an intimate reminder of its former life. The precious collection of Japanese engravings is displayed in several rooms, hung in the manner chosen by the master of Giverny himself.
Claude Monet’s property at Giverny, left by his son to the Académie des Beaux-arts in 1966, has, after completion of large-scale restoration work, become the Claude Monet Foundation, inaugurated in 1980. The huge Nymphéas studio, a stone’s throw from the house, has also been restored and contains the Foundation’s Shop. The gardens have been replanted as they once were and offer visitors the “painting from nature” which Claude Monet’s contemporaries considered to be one of his masterpieces. The rectangular Clos Normand, with archways of climbing plants entwined around brilliantly colored shrubs, lies before the house and studios, offering from Spring to Autumn the palette of varying colors to the painter-gardener who was “ecstatic about flowers”. Lastly, the Water Garden, formed by a tributary of the Epte, lies further away, shaded by weeping willows. With its famous Japanese Bridge, its wistarias, azaleas, and its pond, it has once more become that casket of sky and water that inspired the pictorial universe of the water lilies.
You will enjoy a fabulous 3-course lunch at the “Moulin de Fourges” restaurant, a 200-year-old mill. The architecture of this listed site, dating back to the 18th century, draws its inspiration from the hamlet of Marie-Antoinette at Versailles. It offers a unique setting with its rural grounds and spacious terrace on the banks of the Epte.
In the afternoon, we will take you back to the Golden Age of France with a visit to the Palace of Versailles. The chateau and gardens count among the most prestigious monuments of the world’s artistic heritage and are certainly the finest and most complete achievement of 17th-century French art. Former residence of the ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV, this sumptuous royal palace was home to three of France’s most illustrious Kings for over 100 years. The guided tour of the palace includes the State Apartments of the King and Queen, Royal Chapel, and Hall of Mirrors, a richly decorated gallery that boasts 357 mirrors, french bay windows, and crystal chandeliers.
At the end of your visit, there is free time to discover the famous gardens à la française; a 2,000 acre park designed by André le Notre with its magnificent groves, statues, and fountains.
Please Note:
The "Musical Gardens" show takes place every summer in the Gardens of Versailles Palace. During this period, access to the gardens will also be included (at no extra cost) to enjoy the show in the Gardens.
The "Musical Fountains Show" takes place on Saturdays and Sundays every summer in the Gardens of Versailles Palace. During this period, access to the gardens will also be included (at no extra cost) to enjoy the show in the Gardens.
What is included
What is not included
Recommendations
Please arrive at the meet-up location at least 15 minutes before the trip departure time.
For latecomers, the tour will not be canceled and no refunds will be issued.
Tour highlights
Meeting Point
Paris TRIP Agency
41, Avenue de la Bourdonnais 75007 PARIS
Please arrive at the meet-up location at least 15 minutes before the trip departure time
For latecomers, the tour will not be canceled and no refunds will be issued
Visit Claude Monet’s home and gardens in Giverny
Guided tour of the Palace of Versailles
Small-group tour ensures a personalized experience
Great-value tour includes entrance fees, lunch, and round-trip transport
From
292€
/person
What people say about us
Giverny - Afternoon in Giverny
We so enjoyed our visit to Giverny with our guide Matthew and six other guests in the minivan. Matthew gave us a excellent introduction and then let us view the gardens and home at our own pace returning us to Paris right on time.
versailles - VIP Palace of Versailles Tour
The trip was fantastic. I have a 10 and 11 year old and they weren’t bored, nor complained the entire time. The company picks you up and takes you to the Palace. The company guide takes you for a quick breakfast (coffee, juice, pastries) at the Palace restaurant, gives you maps, shows you where to meet her at the end of the tour and drops you off with an official tour guide of the Palace. The Palace tour guide is phenomenal and takes you past the public parts. She had her college degree in Art and had to pass a course/certification with the Palace to be a guide. You get about 4 hours to tour the grounds and have lunch. It really wasn’t enough time since the gardens are so vast and amazing. Be sure to go visit the horse stables and carriages. For our first visit and to learn how everything works, plus behind the scenes, this was worth the money.
Versailles - It is the pleasure of my family to have...
It is the pleasure of my family to have a small group with our guide, Olivia, to walk through the Chateau Versailles. It is a five-star experience. Thank you Olivia.
Versailles - Our tour guide Olivier was excellent... and made the most of our time
Our tour guide Olivier was excellent and expertly prepared to make the most of our time. He was well informed and provided a lot of insights and anecdotal history of Versailles which made the experience unforgettable.
Versailles - Terrific guided tour of Versailles
Nick greeted us and 3 others in warm & friendly manner. He and the driver did a great job getting us to Versailles quickly and safely. Nick added so much to what we were seeing as we waked from one space to another. He was extremely knowledgeable about everything he explained to us. He offered to take photos of us and the other family, which was much appreciated! After we returned, Nick even helped us hail a cab for us to return to our hotel! Great job, Nick!
Versailles - Great tour led by Michelle
The tour of Versailles was great, our tour guide Michelle was fantastic and gave insightful details and covered French history beautifully. Great English for anyone looking for a helpful tour guide of the palace of Versailles.
Versailles - Michelle was fantastic
Michelle was fantastic! She gave historical context for everything we saw at Versailles. Excellent English tour, highly recommended!
Versailles - A personal account on the palace at Versailles tour
From having little in-depth knowledge about the cultural impact and historical significance about the Chateau at Versailles, our tour Olivia not only explained the dramatic tails of the extraordinary palace, but did so in such a way the entire experience - from arriving at the palace to walking through its many royal rooms to having all my questions answered… clearly, this is the company, and Olivia is the tour guide you want should you ever wish to explore the magnificent property.
Giverny - Well worth the journey!
Magella provided an easy journey from Paris to Giverny with fascinating information about Monet. The house and gardens were well worth the journey! Merci merci merci
Giverny oil painting - Rewarding oil painting/Giverny experience...
For the Giverny oil painting and brunch experience: very enjoyable day trip. Tour guide Magela gave a lively and detailed story of Monet on ride and pleasant company, Monet museum and grounds are vivid and a great collection of other impressionists like Cezanne are on display in replica, so felt enriching beyond Monet, You arrive early but moving among plenty of tourists by time you leave (at least in summer). Brunch at second location is tasty, and includes wine and dessert. Two hour oil painting class was an excellent immersion. Learning techniques through imitating model painting was emphasis, so it is a fun group experience to see how each version differs. Michel the teacher is engaging and will coach or help touch-up quickly at the end. The combo of looking at art/ walking by stream and through large gardens/hands-on painting with attractive lunch locale is pleasing mix for a day and satisfying in multiple dimensions. Cautions with this are: if you want an intense comparative art history discussion, if you want to rock out with personal expression, or you don’t want to see other people. Otherwise strongly recommend.
Frequently asked questions
There are no toilets in our agency, vans or minibuses. There are restrooms at the cultural places visited and stops are regularly scheduled on the road on full-day tours.
For our excursions, comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended. Also bring rain and/or cold gear for visits outside, to cellars and churches.
Our vans or minibuses are not equipped with cargo holds. With the exception of handbags, light backpacks, small bags to place on your legs, no luggage is allowed on our buses. We cannot keep your luggage at the agency either, as we must respect the security measures put in place by the government (Vigipirate plan).
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