See more than Paris and take a day trip to Monet's garden at Giverny and Louis XIV's palace of Versailles. The full-day tour combines the two most popular excursions from Paris in one trip. You'll explore France's royal history at the incomparably grand Versailles palace and see the gardens that inspired so many of Claude Monet's masterpieces at Giverny.
Monet lived at Giverny from 1883 to 1926, and it was here that he created such paintings as his famous "Nympheas" water lily sequence. Monet was the master of Impressionism, inspiring many visiting American Impressionist artists who walked through the gardens you'll visit on your Giverny tour. The Japanese bridge crossing the famous water-lily pond also featured in Monet's paintings.
Your tour continues to Versailles, on the way you will stop for lunch at the Moulin de Fourges, a picturesque mill on the banks of the Epte River. After lunch it's time for the glory and splendor of Versailles when you enter the gilded world of King Louis XIV. You'll visit the opulent Grand Apartments, the stunning chandelier-lit Hall of Mirrors and the Queen's Apartments. Along the way your expert guide brings the past alive with illuminating details of courtly life in the palace. While visiting Versailles you have free time to visit the formal gardens "a la Francaise".
Versailles Fountain Show Special Program: April 2nd to October 30th (Saturdays & Sundays), May 5th, May 24th to June 28th (Tuesdays) and July 14th. For a selected time you have the option to see the magnificent fountain displays, which reveal the skill and artistry of 3 centuries of French garden design and engineering. The display is accompanied by music composed at the time of Louis XIV's court. Entrance fees are included in the cost of the tour.
Monet's garden's were breath taking. Versailles is a must see. The lunch was good as well. It was a very enjoyable day.
Review by: gretchen.endres, June 2018
Guide was wonderful and very knowledgeable about Versailles and Giverny. Both were amazing!
Review by: Christie C, June 2018
This was an awesome tour and our guide was wonderful. Monet Gardens were beautiful and loved seeing Versailles. Lunch was very good too.
Review by: Deborah S, June 2018
I have been booking tours through VIATOR for over 10 years. This tour was horrible....especially considering the amount of money which I spent. I have previously visited both Versailles and Giverny but booked this tour because I was traveling with my daughter who had not had this opportunity. We were early for the tour about 15 minutes. We waited outside in line until boarding. My daughter went to a local store to grab some coffee and a small pastry because we had no time or any breakfast. I attempted to board the bus and was told to get off by the rude guide because my daughter was not with me. Fine. I waited outside. She arrived...we got on the bus preceded by another young lady who was traveling alone. She asked f she could sit in the front seat because of the motin...she was told NO. Those seats were for the guides only...so the 2 guides took over 4 seats. She sat in the middle of the bus. There were 2 separate tour groups on our bus...those with headsets...those without. I was with the groupwith. Twenty minutes into the ride ...our guide discovered that her headset didn't work and we nneeded to return to PrisCityvision,,45 minutes wasted! When she picked up her new microphone...that was useless because the crackling on everyone's headset was so awful that it was very difficult to hear anything she was saying coupled with the fact that the second tour group of people were all talking because they were not listening to headsets...not their fault...they had no idea this was going on...chaotic at best!_br/_ We arrived at Giverny late...and therefore lost time...this is a big deal when you have just spent over 400 dollars to be there. She threatened us numerous times that she would leave us there if we were not at the bus when it was time to leave. Very little time to explore. Her mannerisms and social skills were awful. _br/_ Lunch was next ...pretty site less than marginal food...and our prison guard guide yelled at people as to where they should sit...not pleasant._br/_ One the way to Versailles...long ride...the young lady who asked to sit in the front got violently ill...vomited for over an hour...I was right next to her...trying to help. Possibly if her seating request was granted she may have been okay in the first place. I gathered plastic bags...wipes...tissues from other travelers on the bus. I went to seek help from the Guide but she was sound asleep and seemed upset that I woke her. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE! The bus had zero supplies for this...no paper towels ..no vomit bags...nothing. This is a tour bus filled with people everyday...should there be some sort of emergency kit available? She yelled at me and said that I should have made this person go to the bathroom. No one on this bus knew there were bathroom facilities in the middle of the bus...this was never shared. _br/_ Versailles...threatened us again as to the bus leaving us behind and she announced she would not be riding the bus home with us. I asked a french speaking member to ask the bus driver if someone would be cleaning up the bus from all the vomit... his reply was negative. I told the guide that this needed to happen it was not acceptable that all of us are back on the bus if this hasn't been taken care of...it is an unhealthy situation...I think that is the only reason it happened. _br/_ Back to the tour...we all paid for Garden access ...we only had 15 minutes in the gardens...enough to barely walk in...I signed up for a Tuesday to see the fountains...not possible. False advertising. Also, if you were in the group with the headset...which was useless...by the way..you did not receive any maps. Only the non-headset people received maps...are you kidding? I spent over 400 dollars for 2 people and we didn't even get a paper map???_br/_ This was the worst VIATOR experience I ever had. This person should not be a guide. The tour company should have some sort of preparedness for emergencies. People should not feel threatened by the tour guide. They are working for us. We spend a LOT of money on these activities. Shame on VIATOR for supporting this. This money grabb9ng and tourist exploitation. I took this tour on Tuesday May 29th.
Review by: Julie C, June 2018
I've done four or five tours with Viator and always find them well organized and a good value, with knowledgeable guides and big comfy buses. This was no exception. My only issue is that I wish I had opted for a full day trip to each place instead of the combined tour. I would like to have had more time at both places as I felt rushed, especially at Giverny, which was unbelievably crowded. If you are a big fan of Monet, you will want more time. But that is not the fault of the tour operator! Special shoutout for the excellent lunch which was in a quaint old mill.
Review by: Lanna C, June 2018
The place is great but you get little time at each place. Plus these people do not understand the concept of holding people on a bus without letting them use a restroom. Multiple people had problems and complained throughout the day. They are more concerned with keeping their schedule and getting off work on time.
Review by: dandanas, May 2018
The tour was well organised and our guide was informative and attentive. Giverny is a charming place and if you like art it will be interesting to see the live versions of some of the most famous paintings. Our visit to Versailles was also great, but at the end of the day, we had very little time to visit the Versailles gardens and the fountains display, which was sort of the thing we really wanted to see. In the end, we had to rush back to the bus where we agreed with our guide that we'll take some more time visiting the gardens and that we'll take the train back to Paris, thus leaving the tour at this point. That turned out to be a great decision since we got to spend a few more hours in the palace gardens and in the end, that also seemed as not enough. I only wish we got to that idea sooner or it would have been great if the guide told us and maybe others that there is such an option in advance. All in all, the tour was great. If it wasn't for the rushed visit to the gardens which we managed to extend on our own in the end, it would have been a full 5 stars.
Review by: lmcrane, April 2018
We enjoyed this tour especially Giverny being a Monet lover.The gardens were in bloom so gorgeous. It was interesting to see Monet's house and see many of the paintings that I never knew he painted. So nice to walk over the bridge that were in so many of his paintings._br/_ Versailles was mobbed as expected so hard to see everything. It really is a place that you could take a whole day to see everything that you are allowed to see. The opulent lifestyle of the Kings who lived in the Palace was evident throughout. The gardens were lovely and seemed to go on forever. Our guide was great and gave us a lot of information that we wouldn't have had if we had gone on our own.
Review by: Marina Y, April 2018
Great Day Trip! Awesome informative guide.
Review by: joenjan168, April 2018
We were so glad that we booked this tour. It was a nice getaway from the city. It was a bit cold. The flowers weren't all in bloom but it was beautiful. We had lunch at this nice little restaurant in the countryside before we went to Versailles. Our tour guide was excellent. We learned a lot of history in Versailles.
Review by: Amy B, April 2018
A good experience overall going to Monet's gardens was a last minute decision that I am glad that I made! Versailles was very opulent and it met my expectations. Recommended.
Review by: AKC, April 2018
This was a great tour with one amazing tour guide. We found the time spent in Giverny could be a little shorter and that in Versailles could be longer given the fact Versailles has massive gardens for visitors like us to explore. _br/_ We highly recommend people using the restaurant's washroom before heading to Versailles - we wish the guide could have extended our Versailles visit by 20 minutes because a few in our group were in the washroom lineup for a long while.
Review by: AKC, April 2018
This was a great tour with one amazing tour guide. We found the time spent in Giverny could be a little shorter and that in Versailles could be longer given the fact Versailles has massive gardens for visitors like us to explore. _br/_ We highly recommend people using the restaurant's washroom before heading to Versailles - we wish the guide could have extended our Versailles visit by 20 minutes because a few in our group were in the washroom lineup for a long while.
Review by: Jon W, April 2018
We very much liked both stops, but Giverny was much more pleasant compared with the crowds at Versailles. Also, the Versailles portion felt rushed to me, especially not being able to walk through the gardens beyond the plaza. Tour guide was solid. Lunch spot was picturesque.
Review by: Colin, April 2018
A full day but a great tour. Well organised and plenty of time to visit the attractions.
Review by: Ying T, March 2018
Nice trip but time is too short.
Review by: Sandra G, February 2018
Beautiful to see the castle which is opulent, of course and so impressed with Monet's house and gardens!
Review by: JOANNE M, February 2018
This was an excellent tour and we had a great day. Great overview of both places and a wonderful lunch stop._br/_ A great way to see a lot in a short amount of time and to relax doing it. Tour guides were very well informed and _br/_ very social. Had a wonderful day.
Review by: Chrisacross4, January 2018
I have yet to have a bad experience with a Viator tour. Always on time, well educated guides, 110% effort always, and destinations are well chosen, organized and not too rushed.
Review by: Jackie J, January 2018
Giverny is absolutely breathtaking. I could have spent more time there. The place we had lunch was quite charming and the food delicious. Would go there for dinner. The area is really nice. Versailles was the definition of opulence. Its hard to wrap your head around it all. The tour guide was excellent.
Review by: James F, January 2018
Overall a very good tour. We visited in the height and heat of summer, so the crowds were a bit off-putting especially in Versaills!. But, the guide did as good a job as possible keeping things moving and on track. We found the contrast of the simple beauty of Monet's house and the opulence of Versaills very interesting, as was the description of the harsh reality and total lack of privacy that came with being King of France. Time in each location was sufficient, although we wish we had more time to explore the gardens in Versaills. Lunch was good and the setting was spectacular. Definitely a worthwhile trip.
Review by: kibiger, December 2017
The portion of the trip to Giverny to see Monet's gardens and studio/house was magnificent. There were so many beautiful flowers in bloom in early September and many beautiful garden settings. Seeing Monet's studio and his perspective of the gardens was enlightening. The lunch stop at a little inn was terrific and provided some time to interact with fellow participants. Versailles portion was just the right amount of exposure and time to provide a taste of the magnificence of the palace. The gardens alone would take 3 days to see in their entirety. The day was jam packed but not particularly rushed. It was a well spent day of touring.
Review by: Keith, December 2017
Awesome trip seeing Monet’s house, then seeing the beautiful palace and grounds.
Review by: Faridah Bakar Ali, December 2017
massive crowd at the palace does not allow for a through enjoyment but the tour is still worth it
Review by: Susan M, November 2017
Versailles: This was a very crowded place the day we were there. We actually enjoyed the gardens more than the inside of Versailles because inside was just a crush of people. Versailles was beautiful though, no doubt about that. It would have been much nicer without all the humans. :_br/_ Giverny Day Trip: Fan-tas-tic! That's it, just fantastic. The gardens, the lilypads, more gardens, the house - just could not have been better. There were so many beautiful things to photograph, I'm surprised my camera didn't just explode. The house is colorful, but then he was a painter so no big surprise there, and then you walk into his studio and there are painting you've seen all your life just hanging all over the walls. Again, you feel like you've just walked into a friend's house and there are all the things they've been working on. No guards, just paintings. It takes your breath away. If you go to France and you miss this tour, you need to go back!
Review by: soniaahm, November 2017
The tour guide was very angry at me and my mother, as I was pushing my mother in a wheelchair every where. She would give us angry looks. We felt discriminated all the time. The people in your call center keep assuring us that the tour was Wheelchair friendly etc., but when we came to see Versailles, it was nothing like what was described to us by the call center people.
Review by: Bspinsky, November 2017
A nice tour guide that ran a very matter-of-fact tour. Comfortable motorcoach. This was nice, and delivered what was advertised.
Review by: DROBINSON, November 2017
We went to Giverny first and small the beautiful gardens that Manet painted. Part of the gardens had more traditional flowers and on the other side were the ponds and lilies. House was an interesting combination of colors. We then moved on to Versailles and went through the main rooms. Then onto the gardens. We had seen Versailles before and wanted to go again, mainly to see the gardens as the fountains were on. This was a very easy day. a fair amount of walking but much of it at your own pace. Lunch was at a charming restaurant on the way. Great photo opportunities along the way.
Review by: Dana G, October 2017
Great trip--very well organized. Tour guide excellent. Stop for included lunch was beautiful. Highly recommend.
Review by: Peter M, October 2017
This day trip was one of the highlights in the few days we had available in Paris. It was well organised, the guide was very informative and we were blessed with fine weather. Giverny and Versailles are completely different but equally must see places. The day was topped off with a lovely lunch at Le Moulin de Fourges as well as the trip itself around the french countryside. The site says this is a 9 hour 30 trip, I would allow 10 hrs if traffic is bad back in Paris if you considering other activities in the evening.
Review by: David P, October 2017
This company is very organized and handles tours well. It was a fun and informative tour.
Review by: Mark R, October 2017
First, and foremost, I want to say that Viator did a fantastic job in getting us from place to place, and our guides were top notch, as was the lunch we all enjoyed on the day of our tour to Versailles and Giverny!! If I were rating only Viator, they earned 5 stars, without question! However, the crush of the massive crowds at Versailles, and to a lessor degree at Giverny, made our experience far less than it should have been. The sites are fabulous, but I would strongly recommend that neither Versailles, nor Giverny, should ever be undertaken on a day when the crowds are overwhelmingly massive!!! I used the term crush in describing the crowds at Versailles, and that is a very apt description. I finally put away my camera, as trying to take any photos, at all, was a fool's errand with such crowds crammed up against me. Shoulder to shoulder, with people pressing against your back, and with us pushed up against those in front of us, the crush of the huge crowds actually ruined our experience in the Palace, and in truth, could have been dangerous, had their been an untoward happenstance!! We would love to return to both Versailles and Giverny, but would NEVER again attempt such a trip on a day like we one we unfortunately experienced!! IF you can make sure to book your trip for a day with far less visitors, then we would definitely recommend you do so. IF, however, you cannot experience these lovely sites on a less crowded day, then I would strongly suggest you let Viator help you choose a less crowded venue, so you can enjoy it without being jammed into rooms like so many sardines, as were on our visit to Versailles!!! Again, this was not Viator's fault, and they truly did their best to try and keep us away from the crowds. It was simply not possible on the day of our visit. Cheers, and God Bless!
Review by: MISS S E T, October 2017
Monet's gardens were beautiful, the Versailles was spectacular. Unfortunately the whole experience is so rushed.
Review by: Freda R, October 2017
Late post and can't remember our tour guide but we absolutely enjoyed this trip. Versailles was incredibly packed tho.
Review by: jhay, October 2017
Tour guide didn't engage with interesting stories regarding history and was too worried about everyone going to the toilet rather than seeing the attractions.
Review by: Robert C, October 2017
Monet's gardens were absolutely beautiful and worth a day or more. Versailles was very crowded and with delays we had only 45 minutes to get through the gate and see the gardens of Versailles. We needed much more time. Lunch was good, and the guide had some nice insights, but Versailles was somewhat of a disappointment due to the crowds, the fact that the chapel was closed for renovation, and that we needed more time to see the gardens.
Review by: mdccny67, October 2017
Tour leader left something to be desired._br/_ Walked too fast and left people behind, didn't keep track of her tour.
Review by: Donald Richard A, October 2017
Great way to see two things in one day but you'll want to go back for more in-depth viewing of Versailles
Review by: Donald Richard A, October 2017
Great way to see two things in one day but you'll want to go back for more in-depth viewing of Versailles
Review by: bmarracq, October 2017
We enjoyed the both sites And the lunch. Our tour was supposed to be with an English speaking guide and though she spoke English, she was very difficult to understand, I don't think I would want to tour again with this particular guide.
Review by: Tao_sc31, October 2017
Tour was fun but Versailles is way way too crowded to really enjoy. Perhaps a different day. Giverny was awesome. We had seen both before so my experience is compared to previous trips done alone. Guides were very good, too crowded not the fault of tour company.
Review by: Izolda R, October 2017
It was wonderful not having to negotiate any of the logistics all day and our guide was extremely knowledgeable! While it threatened rain most of the day, the skies only broke open on the coach ride back to Paris and literally stopped as we pulled up to get off.
Review by: Stephen M, October 2017
Great opportunity to see both places in 1 day. Guides were excellent, helpful and well informed. You will spend a few hours on the bus. Both venues were worth the trip.
Review by: Pamela K. W, October 2017
Well planned, easy travel....nice lunch. I would recommend this tour.
Review by: Kristi K, October 2017
This was a a dream day except that it should have been two days._br/_ 1. The gardens and home plus a leisurely meal and you do want a leisurely meal should take a good bit of a day. Then you can enjoy the hills and farm houses, Seine, etc on your way back to Paris. _br/_ 2. Versailles--the guide took us all through the castle which is fine but we had only one hour to then see the gardens at Versailles. One needs a WHOLE day. Those gardens are huge and we didn't see even a fraction because of the time constraint. I wish our guide, who was awesome in every way, would have shared more on the bus ride about the history and let us do more garden time. Thoe who wanted to see the castle more fully could do so understanding that it would leave little garden time. For those of us who would rather be in the garden we could have enjoyed it and taken a peek in the castle, which is really a bit vulgar decor, especially in juxtaposition to seeing Monet's home that morning. _br/_ Bottom Line. Take a separate day for each of these sights. Don't do the Clark Griswold drive by...you will short change yourself._br/_ Other than the disappointment of time allowance and understanding the choice of castle or garden, I thought the tour company was good. The guide knew his stuff and the coach was very comfortable. Many nice people on the tour too, which was a bonus.
Review by: Ken B, September 2017
Had a really good time....the unexpected hightlight, the restaurant we ate at was wonderful....good food on a tour always makes me happy. got back a little late so that caused some problems with our dinner reservation. Would recommend.
Review by: Barbara G, September 2017
Wonderful day visiting Giverny, Monet's house and garden. The garden is beautiful and the house is well maintained. Lunch was provided in a nearby town, free of crowds as this restaurant with a watermill is quite isolated. 3 course lunch with wine was delicious. Our visit to Versailles Palace was limited due to restoration work in parts of the palace. However, we had plenty of time to visit the extensive gardens and fountains.
Review by: Mel Livera, September 2017
Great experience
Review by: Robert F, May 2017
Gray Line is at fault here. They are making tons of money, but won't invest in audio equipment. You can't hear the guide. This is an expensive tour. Do a private, even if you can only afford Versailles.
Review by: Margaret M, May 2017
This was a very good trip. The excursion organization, getting us on the bus, was well done. The drive past the the Arc de Triompe saved me time of going up there on my own. I thought I was getting Versailles first and would have appreciated that because I walk poorly and my energy is limited. I would have seen the gardens and paid more attention to what I was seeing. My Mother was an artist and the trip to Giverny was to see what she was so excited about. It was a cloudy day and in Spring so the Lily pads were not colorful. It was fine, but second place on the tour.
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