adrienne

I have two spare days in Paris (late spring) to allocate for these three places and can’t make a decision. I’ve only been to Giverny (long time ago). A repeat visit to Giverny temps me because I’d like to get some flower photos (although the last time I was there it was wall-to-wall people and there was barely time to stop and look and there are many gardens in Paris that have flowers). Fontainebleau temps me because I “collect” UNESCO heritage sites and can add this to my list and the palace does look inviting. I’ve been to Versailles (many times) and to Vaux. Ile des Impressionists sounds like a quiet, relaxing day trip and not too far from Paris.

I think I could see both Giverny and Ile des Impressionists in one day but I don’t like to run from sight to sight simply to fit it all in. I prefer the leisurely approach with time for sipping wine or sitting on a bench people watching. I’d also like to see the museum at Giverny as well as Monet’s gardens.

I’m leaning toward Fontainebleau and Ile des Impressionists. Any thoughts?

Echnaton

Fontainebleau is mainly the castle (very impressive indeed) and the park. From the park you can walk over into town and sit there in a café (if you want). I certainly recommend this daytrip.

Chantilly Castle might be even more impressive, since it has the second-best art collection in France (after the Louvre) and is an equally beautiful castle with a gorgeous park. There are also stables (if you are interested in horses).

Haven't been to the Ile des Impressionistes.

tarquin

Never heard of Ile des Impressionistes, sounds a bit latterday. But I'd choose Giverny over Fontainebleau every time, the garden changes with each season.

Palenque

Ile des Impressionnistes: Paris and Ile de France and more from ...
Paris : Getting Oriented : Suburban Sights : Ile des Impressionnistes Château de Malmaison || Urban Adventures >> The Impressionists' Island at.
www.answers.com/topic/ile-des-impressionnistes -

like tarquin i know little of the Ile-des-Impressionists and here is some background on what sounds like a really neat day out of Paris - i had been thinking of going and this thread will prompt me to next time in Paris - at Chatou and yes seems the train to Vernon does indeed also stop at Chatou so could easily combine it seems.

voirglobe

I will be in Paris for one week in August and I am looking for something new/diffrent to do. Like you, Ile-des-Impressonistes came up. Please share your experience if you decide to go. We will be visiting Monet's gardens for the first time as a party member is an agronome and a Monet lover.

Palenque

Anyone who likes Giverney will love Auvers-sur-Oise - another den of the Impressionists - Van Gogh died there - and around town they have set up copies of the famous works right at the place they were executed.

Bonjour from the FRENCH TOURIST OFFICE & Welcome to FRANCE ! ... The simple inn in the village of Auver-sur-Oise, where Vincent van Gogh spent the last 70 ...
http://www.francetourism.com/practic...ledefrance.htm -

Surfergirl

Haven't heard of Ile-des-Impressionistes either, but would love to hear about it from someone who has visited.

I have not been to Fontainbleu for many years, but my recollection is that it was impressive, the town delightful, and we did stay the night at a little hotel that allowed pets (I lived in France at the time and had a dog, so this was important at the time).

I've been to Giverny a few times, different seasons. In summer, yes it is pretty darned packed and your doing the tourist shuffle as you commune with the flowers and hustling for the Monet Bridge photo op. I just went in early September 2009, and although I didn't have the place to myself, it was definitely not packed and there were lots of lingering and non-disturbed photo taking opportunities.

adrienne

Echnaton - I have been to the Chantilly chateau grounds but unfortunately there were no chateau tours while I was there. I inadvertently joined the end of a private tour but was soon booted out.

Voirglobe - I am leaning towards I-d-I. I have a pretty light itinerary the rest of the week so maybe I can fit in more than two day trips. In case you're interested, some of the lesser known things I'm planning to do are: Dapper Museum, Police Museum, Eiffel Tower backstage tour, Chapel of Our Lady of the the Miraculous Medal, and a couple of other lesser known churches. And I'm going to try to get my bottom out of bed early on Sunday for Mass at Val-de-Grace church.

Palenque - you are soooo tempting me!! I've now added Auvers to the tentative itinerary.

StCirq

I would go to Giverny on the earliest train to get there ahead of the tour buses, then head back to Chatou for a visit to the Ile des Impressionistes and have lunch there at La Maison Fournaise, where Renoir painted Luncheon of the Boating Party. It's a very nice lunch, and a stroll around the ile and a visit to the small museum there make for a very pleasant time.

Auvers-sur-Oise may be my favorite day trip, though.

adrienne

It looks like Auvers-sur-Oise has just moved up a notch or two on my list! Especially if I combine Giverny and Chatou, as you suggest StCirq.

voirglobe

adrienne - Thanks for the suggestions!

StCirq - That is exactly what we plan to do, La Maison Fournaise looks likes a great place to relaxe. Do you think reservations would be wise? We like to get up early and beat the crowd...or at least try.

Palenque

Auvers-sur-Oise is easily reached by train from Gare du Nord or via RER + train via Pontoise. there is one daily special direct train but lots of other links with a change or two - takes less than an hour to get there.

StCirq

voirglobe:

I have had lunch twice at La Maison Fournaise and made reservations both times. I can't remember exactly what times of year I ate there (sometime in summer, though, both times), but both times it was quite crowded. So yes, I would make a reservation, especially if you want to dine on the balcony overlooking the river.

cigalechanta

If you should be going to Chatou in March or October,
there is Le foire Nationale a la Brocante et aux jambon,
a flea market and ham fete.
The last time I ate at the Fournaise was lunch time and no reservation. We did dine on the balcony

adrienne

I can't believe I'm gonna miss a French ham festival. That would be cool.

I'm definitely going to Chatou. Thanks everyone for the help!

Echnaton

Chantilly:

You can visit the Castle self-guided. Just buy a ticket and walk in. www.chateaudechantilly.com

swampstern

I hope this isn't too late.
If you want a good feel for Auvers sur Oise, with tons of pictures, art and information, check out this blog:
www.realfrance.wordpress.com.
There's also an article, pix and information on Chantilly Castle. And pix of Giverny as well. I think it might help.

adrienne

Thanks for the link. It's not too late I'll check the blog.

CopperandJade

I once visited Giverny and Auvers-sur-Oise in one day, but I felt rushed. You seem to love the impressionists. Auvers-sur-Oise is a lovely and I felt the spirit of Van Gogh when I was there. Ile-des-Impressionistes fascinates me and if you go, you may want to read ‘Luncheon of the Boating Parting’, by Susan Vreeland.
http://blogcritics.org/books/article...f-the-boating/
It would be delightful to have lunch or dinner at La Maison Fournaise,
http://www.restaurant-fournaise.fr/Page_welcome.htm

Both Chantilly and Fountainbleau would both be good, a difficult decision...have been to neither and would like to see both.

tod

Adrienne, here are my notes from our day at Ile-des-Impressionistes:

Our plans for the day are to head out to the historic Les Amis De La Maison Fournaise.
Taking the RER A from Charles de Gaulle-Etoile metro station we arrive within 20 minutes at Rueil Malmaison station.
Now this is where maps not drawn to scale become a slight problem!
I took the sketch off the internet and followed the instructions accordingly.
We started towards the bridge but unsure whether we were heading in the correct direction stopped to ask a man coming towards us.
Unfortunately he had never heard of Maison Fournaise (probably because of our lousy pronunciation) so we carried on.

The weather was just perfect. Sunny & hot!
As we hit the bridge across the Seine, which is incredibly wide at this point, we spotted the restaurant on the river bank.
It's quite a walk - 35 minutes easily.

LIEU DE RECONTRE DE PEINTRES IMPRESSIONISTES

The setting is incredible.
The Seine is flowing like a long blue ribbon, so calm that the trees on the bank make a mirror image.
We arrive at the back of the restaurant and not knowing quite which way to go we make for the lawned area in front and soon discover that the entrance in on the otherside, but no matter, we are in super early time - just 1pm and there are dozens of tables to choose from.

I ask if we could be seated on the verandah and we get a table up against the wooden railing.
The view is gorgeous and we watch water craft arrive and dock on the opposite bank.

Starting with a Kir & DH a beer we peruse the lovely menu.
We decide to have the 'Menu de Jour' which I can't clearly remember but will identify on the photos. This is the only time we photographed the food!
Total bill - 71,55 euro which included wine.

Although it was a blazingly sunny day the restaurant had not opened the red & white striped awning over the terrace. A bit of a pity when it came to the photographs.
Well fed we took a stroll around downstairs in the courtyard which had another restaurant on the opposite side.
I called in at their little gift shop which sold cups & saucers, scarves etc., all to do with the impressionists.
I was pleased to find a tiny coffee cup which had part of a Renoir painting on it.

Back across the bridge to the station and Paris.

Photos:http://tinyurl.com/3tfj28