trigo

Hi Fodor friends,

My husband and I will be in Paris for four days in September. We want to take day trips to both Versaille and Giverney. Any thoughts on the best way to do this? We will spend the other two days in Paris walking, window shopping, Musee d' Orsay and Lourve. We are staying on points at the Hotel Prince de Galles.

Thanks for your help!

Michel_Paris

Well...if this were my first trip to Paris, I would do NO trips outside of the city. You can easily fill 4 days and not have seen much.

You are coming from London? Allow time first day to arrive, check into hotel,etc.. So part of that day is gone. When are you leaving...if flying out on last day, part of that day is gone getting to airport. So...how much of the 4 days do you have for Paris?

This exact question was asked on May 22, 10:17 am. Do a search for "versailles giverny" and you will find it. Good discussion

Parisvision has a 9 hr combined tour of both for 119 euro, 9 hrs long. You could do it on your own.

I'd still stick to Paris.

bob_brown

Given the transportation involved, and the limited amount of time available to you, I suggest you investigate taking a "canned tour". The fact that you get direct transportation to each point of interest is a big plus. I think you might pay a little more, but the stress of making your own way will be relieved.

It is a 9 hour day to do both with the tour, and the cost for me is non trivial: €119 per tourist.
At the current rate of exchange, that converts to about US $165.00

The advantage of taking the tour is that the travel link from Giverny to Versailles is a lot simpler.

The trip can be done on your own.
Take the train from Gare St. Lazare to Vernon. Take a local bus or a taxi to Giverny. Return to Vernon. Take a commuter train to MANTES LA JOLIE. Change for a train to Versailles Chantiers. Walk or take a taxi to Versailles from the Cantiers station.
Take the RER back to Paris from Versailles Rive Gauche.

It is a little complex, but it can be done that way for less money but more hassle.

Trains leave St. Lazare at 7:31 and 8:l5. The trip to Vernon is less than an hour. Then you have the ride to Giverney.

How long do you need at Giverney? Good question. I think 2 hours from the time you enter the gate until you leave would be about right, perhaps 3 hours if you really want to savor the adventure.

I suggest getting their early to be ahead of the tour bus mobs if you do it on your own.

Versailles will be crowded as a general rule regrdless.

bob_brown

OOPS bad proof reading.
there, not their and
Versailles Chantier station is a short distance from the palace. It is not as close as the RER Rive Gauche station.
Off hand I don't recall the distance.

PalenQ

giverney - train from Saint-Lazare station to Vernon then take taxi, minibus or walk the about 4 miles to Monet House (closed Mon) lines can be long so arrive early as possible and avoid weekends - www.voyages-sncf.com for train schedules. Guess it is possible to reserve Monet entrance too but not sure. No need to reserve or pre-buy train tickets but check schedules as there are gaps in service.

Versailles - three different rail routes - the best is RER C that terminates a few blocks from the palace. (RER C splits so get on right branch - C1, C2, etc. www.ratp.fr for schedules. Buy a transport with palace entry thing at RER station - several in Paris along the Seine you can board at - then you won't have to wait in ticket line at palace and is cheaper than buying individual components i believe.

PalenQ

Welcome to Claude Monet'sClaude Monet's garden in Giverny. Located 80 km West from Paris France in the village of Giverny, 4 km from the town of Vernon, Claude Monet House and ...
giverny.org/monet/welcome.htm

Giverny area Gardens including Claude Monet's giverny gardenGiverny gardens including impressionist painter Claude Monet's house and garden. The water garden with its Japanese bridge and the water lilies is the ...
giverny.org/gardens/

Château de Versailles – Site officiel – Résidence royale du Roi ...- [ Translate this page ]The Palace of Versailles enables companies, institutions and associations to host prestige receptions and public relations events ...
www.chateauversailles.fr/en/

Château de Versailles – Site officiel – Résidence royale du Roi ...- [ Translate this page ]Chateau de Versailles: galerie des glaces, trianon, salle du jeu de paume, jardins à la française, grandes eaux, musée des carrosses, orangerie, ...
www.chateauversailles.fr

sandyatlanta

Here's a tip for Versailles: If you want to see the chateau, buy the guided tour. That way you get to skip the line. The Paris Museum pass will get you into the chateau but it will NOT let you skip the line. It is ridiculously long and slow-moving. We were there July 7th.
Versailles is a fabulous day, though. The gardens are amazing.

PalenQ

<The Paris Museum pass will get you into the chateau but it will NOT let you skip the line.>

in all due respect this was discussed recently with conflicting opinions - conclusion i think was you can skip the ticket lines but it's confusing how to do it as the line comes out the same entrance you're supposed to go to for quick admission. Me i don't know but it seems there may be some way to skip the line, at least some said they had.