To begin your Giverny and Monet's Garden Bike Tour you will travel from Paris to the quaint town of Vernon, located in Normandy. On the way, you will pass beautiful wheat and sunflower fields, far from the hustle and bustle of Paris.
We will make our first stop at the open-air market in Vernon. Here, you can enjoy an array of local specialties, such as cider, and organize your picnic basket for the perfect riverside lunch.
We will then pick up our bikes and enjoy an effortless cruise from Giverny to Monet's famed-estate. We'll stop along the Seine river for a picnic lunch next to a picturesque mill, all while appreciating in breathtaking views of the French countryside.
You will have plenty of time to explore Monet's gardens and home in Giverny, and then we will enjoy a leisurely ride back to Vernon before returning to Paris.
Round trip transportation to and from central Paris makes this day trip to these special gardens a breeze!
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ Local guide
✔ Use of bicycle (if you select bike tour option)
✔ Use of helmet
✔ Roundtrip transfer to and from Paris
✖ Gratuities
✖ Hotel pick up and drop off
✖ Food and drinks
✖ Rain gear is available at a fee of 2EUR paid direct
Departure & Return
Departure:
,
All tours depart from the Fat Tire Tours office at 24 rue Edgar Faure, 75015 Paris. The closest metro is the Dupleix station. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour departure. *Meeting point and tour time will be altered during the Olympics. We will contact you directly with details.
Return: End right where it started.
Itinerary
1
Meet here to connect with your guide and board the bus to Giverny.
Duration: 5 minutes
2
Fondation Claude Monet
It will then be time for your relaxing 5 kilometer (3 miles) ride down the bike path to the village of Giverny and the world-famous gardens of Claude Monet. Cruise past the Giverny church and its cemetery containing graves of local citizens dating back to the 17th century, British soldiers from World War II and even Monet himself buried within his family's vault. You will pass the Hotel Baudy, where Impressionists Manet and Renoir used to paint.
Shortly you will arrive at the highlight of the day - Monet's Garden
Spend about 1.5 hours enjoying Monet's gardens, his house and the famous water lily pond where some of his most famous works originated. Be sure to bring your camera and plenty of film! Additionally, the village of Giverny offers you the American Museum of Art (across the street from Monet's Gardens), numerous cafes and small streets begging to be explored.
Duration: 1.5 hours
3
Skip-the-line entry into the gardens
Duration: 2 hours
4
See the Hotel Baudy from the outside; can stop for a drink
5
Seine River
Once in Vernon visit the charming farmers' market to buy picnic supplies. You'll then hop on your bike and pedal across the river to a beautiful park along the banks of the Seine for lunch. At lunch you can also sample the local's favorite drink: cidre.
Additional info
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• There is no age minimum or maximum - this tour is suitable for everyone as long as you can ride a bike!
• If a children's bike is required, you must advise at time of booking.
