Giverny & Paris- a treat for gardeners & art-lovers alike, by coach or rail.
Monet's Garden & Paris by coach, 4 days from £239.00!
Highlights of this hugely popular, tremendous value coach tour with Newmarket Holidays include the wonderful artist's house and gardens in the Normandy village of Giverny and the incomparable French capital Paris. This is the perfect tour to see Monet's garden legacy for the budget conscious. If you need to tick this off your places which are 'must sees', this won't break the bank!
Giverny was home and inspiration to Monet for over 40 years, and today the Impressionist artist's house and gardens, subject of many of his most famous works including of course the iconic Water Lilies, have been restored to their original beauty.
Claude Monet's garden at Giverny has, for more than a century, been regarded as a high temple of French art. And in 2017 it became the subject of a remarkable 'potting shed' coup, with the resident English head gardener- only appointed in 2011 to replace a retiring Frenchman who had been responsible for the gardens since the start of their restoration in the 1970's, being remarkably ousted, for the gardens to revert back to the long standing Monsieur Gilbert Vahe- now 69 and with renewed energy it seems, and with the support of all his old team!
In 2011 the job of head gardener in this 'Alice in Wonderland' Monet world was landed by an Englishman and graduate of the RHS gardens at Kew, James Priest. Mr Priest had been at Giverny for 17 years before succeeding Gilbert Vahe, who was largely responsible for restoring the garden in the late 1970's from an overgrown wilderness to it's former glory. However, M. Vahe, who had retired to a house next door, it appears never stopped 'peeping over the fence' and didn't particularly like what he was seeing! Mr Priest had been experimenting with new ideas which didn't go down too well with the traditionalists, and M.Vahy's old team of 8 were delighted when the gardens reverted back to his control.
Whatever the truth behind this 'French revolution' (and there are several news reports for those interested in such intrigue), the gardens now revert to being maintained exactly as Monet had planted it towards the end of his life. And, for now anyway, the English have beaten a sound retreat. But we don't expect the same of you potential visitors, as this garden at Giverny, and indeed the whole village it belongs in, is a place not to be missed. The 'entente cordiale' remains firmly in place!
Claude Monet started to create his flower filled garden when he moved to Giverny in 1883, refining it over 43 years until his death in 1926. He originally planted flowers so that he could pick bunches to have something to paint indoors on rainy days. Some of his most famous paintings were his huge canvases of the waterlilies on the small lake he had made, with it's green, Japanese-style footbridge draped with wisteria in the spring.
Paris-'City of Light' & City for Lovers. It's time to explore glorious Paris on day three and the final evening, where you may enjoy the included panoramic sightseeing tour of the world famous streets and monuments, explore to your personal taste at your own pace in your own free time, or join one of the interesting optional excursions -up one of the fastest lifts in the world to enjoy the fabulous city views offered fom the 56th floor of the fascinating Montparnasse Tower. Or bid 'au revoir' on the final optional excursion to the cafe lined streets of the Latin Quarter and board one of the famous Bateaux Mouche for a romantic Evening Seine cruise.
The price includes: Return channel ferry crossings- Visit to Giverny with entrance to Monet's house and garden- Three nights accommodation with a full buffet breakfast in the four star Hotel Mercure Maurepas, St Quentin (or similar standard hotel)- Visit to Rouen to explore this lovingly restored capital in Upper Normandy- A panoramic city tour of Paris and leisure time in Paris on day and evening of day three- Coach travel throughout and services of a friendly tour manager.
Your itinerary: On day one you will leave your local area early morning to arrive at your hotel by early evening (traffic conditions permitting).
On day two you'll travel along the Seine valley to Giverny, where having visited Monet's house and gardens you'll have time for lunch (payable locally) or browsing the many galleries, studios and shops. You may enjoy a walk to the C15th church where Monet worshipped and he and his family are buried, before travelling up the Seine valley to Joan of Arc's 'Rouen'. Return to your hotel early evening in time for dinner (not included)
On day three you transfer into the heart of Paris for a panoramic sightseeing tour, after which- time to explore at your leisure, perhaps enhancing your newly gained knowledge of the Impressionists at the Louvre. Or take the optional tour to the Montparnasse Tower for some spectacular views.
This evening bid 'au revoir' to Paris by exploring the bustling streets one final time, soaking up the atmosphere of this vibrant city and perhaps sampling the culinary delights. Our final optional excursion takes you to the fascinating cafe lined streets of the Latin Quarter, then boarding one of the famous 'Bateaux Mouche' for a romantic cruise along the Seine past all the major sights.
On day four we begin our journey home after breakfast, to arrive back in your local area by mid to late evening.
Single rooms carry a supplement of £96. Your hotel will usually be the luxury 4 star 'Mercure St.Quentin' in Maurepas (upgraded January 2016 from the three star Best Western St.Quentin) or a similar standard hotel. Rooms will have private facilities, and public facilities will include a bar and restaurant (Mercure restaurant not open Sunday eve, or Saturday in low season).
Departure dates this year run Friday's from 18th May to 21st September, with two or three dates departing from each region of the U.K (excluding Scotland and Cumbria due to the distance of travel for a short break). Please call or email us with your nearest town and or postcode to check dates applicable to you.
Optional excursion costs: Montparnasse Tower (day three) £16, Latin Quarter & Evening Seine cruise (day three) £15.
Interesting websites to visit for information on what to expect in and around Giverny are www.fondation-monet.com and www.giverny.org/gardens
Please contact us to book, or for more information and details of which departure dates apply to your local area. This tour is operated by the award winning coach operator Newmarket Holidays.
020 8858 6677
or email: derek@flightcentregreenwich.co.uk
Eurostar Rail Holidays to Paris and
Giverny 2018
Our fourth year of this winning
twin- centre break!
What a marvellous combination for a memorable two centre holiday- The romance of Paris, and the Impressionist splendour & relaxation of Giverny.
Travel by Eurostar to Paris in either Standard or Premier class, where you may spend your first night in one of our very carefully selected hotels, which range from budget to deluxe. Or, an excellent local train service will connect you direct to Giverny, to spend your first night, here, in the superb up-scale Hotel Le Jardin des Plumes -one of our select choice of hotels.
As well as enabling you to indulge the atmosphere of this exquisite little village, a night or two spent here is so convenient for exploring Monet's garden, house and museum, both early morning and late afternoon to avoid the busy times and day-trippers. It's also an idyllic retreat to unwind, with its own lovely grounds.
Hotel Le Jardin des Plumes, Giverny
Already a popular request from our regular clients, these tailor made packages to Giverny and Paris offer total flexibility for your perfect garden holiday break. Perhaps you'd prefer your first night in Paris, followed by a night or two in Giverny, finishing with a final celebratory night in Paris before your return home on Eurostar's speedy services.
On Eurostar you could perhaps treat yourself to the comfort of the Standard Premier cabin in both directions, or maybe try just a 'taster of luxury' -travelling out in Standard and home in Premier, or vice-versa (a little more economical, and giving you the opportunity to enjoy both experiences).
And our carefully selected hotels in both Paris and Giverny should appeal to a wide range of budgets, all hotels enjoying excellent reviews for their category.
Hotel Pont Royal, one of our favourite luxury choices in Paris
If you are looking for a 'bargain break' to see Monet's Giverny, with a chance to explore Paris too, try our 2 or 3 star Parisian hotels for just the night with one night in Giverny either before or after.
Bedroom, Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, Paris
Our preferred 3 star quality hotels include Hotel des Grandes Ecoles, Hotel Le Relais Montmartre, and Hotel des Arts Montmartre. Our rates for these come direct from the hotels and are always the most competitive.
The garden, Hotel des Grandes Ecoles
Hotel des Grandes Ecoles on Saint Genevieve hill is in the historical heart of the Latin Quarter. Here each paving stone is charged with history. In the picturesque streets discover restaurants of all nationalities. And your neighbours will be The Pantheon, the ancient Polytechnic School, and the Sorbonne. The hotel basks in the alluring appearance of a pastoral cottage-quite unique we feel within this Metropolitan city. And taking breakfast in the first rays of the sun in the dappled shade of the trees in the grounds is an option to bring added pleasure.
Petit dejeuner a la chambre, Hotel des Grandes Ecoles
And if it's a special occasion or you just fancy treating yourself or a partner, we have lovely 4 and 5 star hotels in Paris which will excite your senses as much as Monet's garden itself! We would really recommend 2 nights in Paris to fully enjoy the experience of this wonderful combination of cosmopolitan Paris and French countryside hospitality.
And for your truly special time in Giverny, indulge in the wonderful Hotel Le Jardins des Plumes- a Relais du Silence hotel, distinctive hotels with charm. Surrounded by country gardens and a pretty pond, this half timbered Norman Manor house dates to 1912, and is a mere 7 minute walk from Monet's house and garden. You're also just 5 minutes or so stroll from the 'Musee des Impressionnismes'.
The Chic rooms, of which there are only 4 with an additional 4 suites, are individually furnished in either country or mid century modern style. Choose from standard and superior doubles, suites and duplex suites with gorgeous garden views. Some rooms suit reduced mobility. WiFi, flat screen TV and bathrobes come as standard. Suites enjoy a living area, and some rooms have direct access to the hotel gardens.
The hotel's Art Deco styled Michelin star restaurant with it's designer chandeliers, offers gourmet fine dining, whilst the elegant lounge bar also offers a warm welcome. The restaurant and bar close Mondays and Tuesdays, but with the region of Upper Normandy being famed for its culinary skills, you'll discover several wonderful dining options close by too- such as 'L'Ancien Hotel Baudy', just a 5 minute walk away. Indeed if you're a fan of French Cuisine you'll be spoilt for choice, with a total of 15 restaurants in and around Giverny, 11 of which currently enjoy 4 or 5 star reviews! Plus our hotel's breakfast room opens daily for a delicious a la carte English or Continental breakfast.
Restaurant at the Hotel Le Jardin des Plumes, Giverny
To whet your appetite (as well as the photo of the scrumptious patisserie!) these excerpts from the notebook of one of Giverny's excellent guides give a taste of what's to come, on a holiday break with us to Monet's truly inspirational gardens, at his home village of Giverny.
Eurostar in Gare du Nord, and speeding through the English countryside