Versailles Palace and Giverny Gardens From Paris

Giverny and the Palace of Versailles are two must-see destinations near Paris, and this day excursion to both is bound to leave a lasting impression! In Giverny, a village of timeless beauty, you will visit the former home of the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet. Stroll through the famous, meticulously designed gardens that inspired the artist, as well as his studio and home.

The Palace of Versailles, once the epicenter of political power for the Kingdom of France, is one of the most extraordinary achievements of 17th century European art and continues to attract over 10 million visitors each year. Starting your day in Monet’s tranquil gardens and ending it in the impressive Versailles complex provides a unique experience that you don’t want to miss!

Step aboard an air-conditioned bus and depart from the center of Paris towards Claude Monet’s former estate. If you opt for a guided tour, your guide will give you an introduction once you arrive, after which you are free to explore the area at your leisure.

Explore Claude Monet's pink-plastered house, where he lived and worked (audio-guided and guided tours of the interior are not permitted due to the lack of space). Visit the reading room and the bright yellow dining room and imagine what Monet’s day-to-day life was like as you stroll through the fully restored ivy-clad house.

Make your way to the lush green gardens, one of Monet’s greatest inspirations for his world-famous artworks. If you choose for an audio-guided tour, you can turn on your audio guide to hear commentary as you admire the multicolored flowerbeds and lush water garden, famous for its water lilies and Japanese bridge.

After exploring Monet’s tranquil estate, enjoy a lunch break before embarking on the second half of the day trip. If you choose for a tour that includes lunch, you will go by bus to “Moulin de Fourges,” a 2000-year-old mill and traditional French restaurant just 10 minutes outside of Giverny, where you can indulge in a delicious three-course meal. If you opt for a guided tour without lunch, then you will have the time to go independently to one of the traditional bars or restaurants in Giverny for lunch before leaving to Versailles.

At Versailles, your Skip-the-Line tickets will allow you to bypass the long entry line, saving you up to 3 hours of standing in line. Having pre-booked your tickets online also means that you get to avoid the hassle of having to wait in line at the on-site ticket box office (please keep in mind that all visitors, regardless of ticket type or vendor, are still required to pass through security).

Once you have gained entry, you can enjoy a guided or audio-guided tour (depending on your selection during booking) of the royal estate. Explore the King’s and Queen’s State Apartments, the Royal Chapel, and the Hall of Mirrors as you learn more about the French monarchy, including the private lives of the infamous King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette.

After admiring the inside of the Palace, head outdoors to admire the estate’s impressive architecture and explore the beautiful French gardens, decorated with the famous Versailles fountains. At the end of the tour, you can choose to linger at the estate, or hop back on the coach to go back to Paris.