Claude Monet, the father of the Impressionist art movement of the late 1800s, lived and worked just outside of Paris in Giverny, where he spent his days indulging in his passion for botany and gardening. On this half-day tour from Paris, feast your eyes on his charming home, which sits on a large property made up of extensive gardens. Your tour starts with departure by coach in either the morning or afternoon (depending on option selected when booking) from the city center. When you arrive at Giverny, take a walk through the front gardens and orchards with your guide, and gaze upon an array of vivid blooms (depending on the season). Then stroll over to the legendary water lily pond that so inspired Monet, and cross the oft-painted Japanese bridge. Enjoy the tranquil environment created by weeping willows and bamboo trees, and pose for photos in your own Impressionist-style landscape. Skip any lines and head inside the house, which was painstakingly restored to its former glory after it was donated by Monet's son to the French Academy of Fine Arts. Your guide leaves you here to explore the kitchen, bedrooms, and other spaces on your own. Admire Monet's private art collection, including Japanese garden prints. Then wander into his studio and peruse the large souvenir shop, where you can purchase reproductions of Monet's paintings, pottery, and even flower seeds. Your tour ends with the drive back to Paris in the comfort of your coach.
