See the gardens that inspired Claude Monet’s world-famous paintings and the town where he lived for decades. Meet your guide in central Paris, and ride in a comfortable minibus through Normandy’s picturesque fields of sunflowers and wheat. Disembark at the village of Vernon, where you’ll stock up on picnic supplies such as fresh cheeses, breads, and fruit at the local farmers’ market (own expense). Climb on your bike and cross the Seine for a lovely picnic lunch on the riverbanks. Continue biking around five kilometers (three miles) along country roads to the postcard-perfect village of Giverny, where Monet lived from 1883 to 1926. Peddle past the village church and its historic cemetery, where Monet is buried in a family vault. Learn about the artistic legacy of the Hotel Baudy, which counts painters Manet and Renior among its illustrious guests, and admire the town’s delightful cafes and lanes. Arrive at Monet’s beautifully maintained country house, furnished with original decor and artwork for an authentic glimpse into the painter’s daily life. Stroll through Monet’s gardens, bursting with color from a dazzling variety of flowers such hollyhocks, roses, tulips, and poppies. In a Japanese-style section of the garden, see the footbridge, ponds, and water lilies that inspired Monet’s most iconic paintings. After 1.5 hours visiting the home and gardens, cycle back to Vernon, and relax on the return journey to Paris, where your tour concludes in the evening.