Giverny Monet's Home & Versailles Palace Day Trip from Paris
Description
The contemplative art of the Impressionists. The Baroque excess of Versailles. Travelling by comfortable private bus, sample both these very different sides of French architecture on this day trip. From Paris, you’ll visit the Impressionist Claude Monet’s Giverny estate, then Skip-the-Line at the extravagant Palace and Gardens of Versailles.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Leave the bustle of Paris behind and travel in comfort by air-conditioned coach to the magnificent Palace of Versailles. With skip-the-line entry and an expert guide leading the way, you'll uncover the fascinating stories of French royalty as you explore one of the world's most famous palaces. Walk through the glittering Hall of Mirrors, admire the lavish Royal Apartments, and hear tales of power, luxury, and intrigue from the court of Louis XIV, the legendary Sun King. This guided visit brings the history of Versailles to life, helping you experience far more than you could on your own.
After your guided palace tour, enjoy free time to discover the spectacular Gardens of Versailles at your own pace. Stroll tree-lined pathways, admire elegant fountains and sculptures, and take in the grand vistas that made Versailles the envy of Europe. Whether you choose to wander along the Grand Canal or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the beauty of the royal estate.
In the afternoon, trade royal grandeur for the peaceful beauty of the French countryside as you journey to Giverny, the beloved home of Impressionist master Claude Monet. During the drive, your guide will share the story of Monet's life, artistic vision, and lasting influence on the art world. Upon arrival, enjoy a brief introduction before exploring the estate independently with a self-guided audio app. Step inside Monet's charming home, wander through the colorful flower gardens, and cross the iconic Japanese bridge overlooking the water lily ponds that inspired some of his most celebrated paintings. It's easy to see why Giverny became the muse behind many of the world's most recognizable works of art. Special Note: 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet's passing, making this an especially memorable year to visit the village that inspired his artistic legacy.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Due to heightened security measures, you may experience delays in clearing security checks when entering Versailles
- Large bags/backpacks/suitcases are not permitted in Versailles. Only very small bags are allowed
- We strongly recommend that clients traveling with young children aged 2 or above to bring their own child seat. Infants under 2 years old should travel on a parent’s lap. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure the safety of their child.
- Please note that your self-guiding app should be download on your smartphone prior to tour. Credentials and download instructions will be provided on your voucher upon booking. Once downloaded, the app can be used offline. Please ensure that you bring earphones and have enough battery on your phone to enjoy all the content of the self-guided app once inside the House and Gardens of Monet.
- Tickets for the Musical Fountains Show or Musical Gardens are added automatically to the price when running. Please note that the Musical show/Fountain Gardens at Versailles Gardens may be subject to last minute schedule changes that are not under our control.
Reviews(885)
The Bus was over an hour late so our trip to Versille felt rushed (the palace guide was very good but was speaking so fast it was hard to understand her at times. By the time we got to Monet house and gardens we only had about an hour until they asked us leave. Disappointed in that. It was a beautiful place. We did receive an email that we would receive a credit for the time we missed but I have not received anything yet. It will be interesting to see if we do. I'm sure I would have left a 5 star review if we had not been cut so short.
Dear Sharon_R, Thank you for your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the delay to your tour, which was caused by an unexpected traffic accident and was unfortunately beyond our control. We understand how disappointing it was to have less time than planned to enjoy both Versailles and Giverny. As previously advised, a partial refund is on its way. If you have not yet received it, please feel free to contact us directly so we can verify the status and ensure everything has been processed correctly. We truly appreciate your patience and hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a better experience in the future.
Overall this was a great day. The lines at Versailles were super long, so just the ability to skip those lines made this excursion worth it! The tour guide was great. It was super hot the day we went so the air conditioned bus and having some time to sit between Versailles and Giverny was helpful, especially with two tired, hot kids! Overall, we saw a lot, learned a lot, loved both places and thought the crew for this excursion was professional, fun and helpful. We did have a couple delays with the bus in the morning and the tour guides arrival for the second half of the trip, but otherwise was a perfect trip. Pro tip from our Versailles tour guide…there are golf carts you can rent to see the gardens. The line was long, so wish we had sent dad ahead to get them while kids meandered and took pictures. Also, there is a wonderful creperie right outside that the kids loved which was shaded that I would highly recommend.
Loved seeing both places in the same day-long trip but Versailles is so big this tour doesn’t leave enough time to see all of the palace or any of the gardens.
Dear Francis_S, Thank you for your review! We are glad you enjoyed visiting both beautiful locations during your day trip. The Palace of Versailles is indeed massive, spanning vast grounds and history. While our 3-hour guided segment is designed to highlight the main apartments and key history within a standard timeframe, we understand it can feel like a whirlwind given the scale of the estate. We appreciate your feedback regarding the tour pace and will continue to look for ways to help our guests make the most of their visit. Warm regards.
Our departure was delayed because of the G20 summit, but our guide was very good and made sure we have the maximum time at Giverny and Versailles. We felt that we had enough time at each location. We did not get the guided tour and opted to explore alone, and the guide gave us good directions to ensure we knew where to go, including getting home via metro after the tour
Hendricks was excellent. He was the highlight of the trip. After a long and delayed start and very hot day he really lifted everyone’s spirits. It was a very big group and delayed for over an hour. We ended up taking ourselves off the Versailles tour and just walking around the palace and garden by ourselves then meeting up with the group at the meeting point. As it was so disorganised It wasn’t until later when Hendricks joined us for Monet’s Garden the wealth of knowledge and excitement entered the tour. His knowledge and enthusiasm made everyone who was tired excited for the end of the day. Overall I wouldn’t rush back to Versailles.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are delighted to hear that Hendricks made such a positive impact on your experience with his knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication. We will be sure to share your kind words with him. We are sorry that the delays and group size affected your experience. We appreciate your comments and will continue working to improve the organisation and overall flow of our tours to ensure a smoother experience for all guests.
Was very disappointed in this as it was advertised as Giverny in the morning and Versailles in the afternoon. So annoyed as the bus was very late in the morning and was too long at Versailles. Giverny was rushed in the afternoon and the garden weary by the late afternoon. Once again we were delayed leaving Versailles and didn’t arrive at Giverny until 4pm. The only saving Grace was the second guide at Giverny who was articulate, engaging and enthusiastic.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the experience with our Giverny guide, and we appreciate your kind words about their enthusiasm and knowledge. We are sorry that the timing of the day did not meet your expectations. This tour requires careful coordination between two popular sites, and occasional delays can occur due to traffic and visitor conditions at Versailles. We appreciate your comments and will take them into consideration as we continue improving the organisation and flow of the experience.
Our tour guide Lily for Versailles was phenomenal. I didn’t know much about the history but she explained it in such a humorous and understanding way. She was also so kind too. Hendrick for Monet’s Garden was also a joy to be around. Once again, he too explained it in a very humorous way and made the learning fun.
It was fun, informative, and interesting!
Versailles: our guide Anaïs was excellent Giverny: our guide Daniela was excellent A long day but worth it
Lili was a great guide to the wonders of Versailles. She kept the group together on a hot day in the high 30s. She gave great insights into the history and characters as well as practical assistance for meals etc.
