Does anyone know of a tour company in Paris that offers a day tour from Paris to Giverney, specifically Monet's home? <BR>If you do please provide me with a few details, like the name of the company. <BR>Given our limited French skills, a tour conducted in English would be preferable. <BR>The tour books make the trip to Giverney from Paris sound like it is not an easy thing to pull off.

Bob, we went with Cityrama, from a departure office that was just 1/2 block from our hotel. They are on Rue de Rivoli across from the Tuilleries Gardens. Sorry I don't remember what it cost, but we found it a very relaxing way to go and the tour guide spoke both French & English throughout the trip. Giverny was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Our group was the only group there (Oct) and there were zillions of flowers. The guide said it is usually "tourist-flower-tourist-flower-tourist-flower." I don't know their web site, but they probably have one. Enjoy!

try <BR>http://www.e-francetravel.com/html_Detail/catalog.htm <BR>check the paris tourist website; there's a tour company called paris vision or city vision; they run busses everywhere!

You can also try: <BR>www.giverny.org/ <BR> <BR>Bus tours: <BR>Cityrama, 4 pl des Pyramides,phone 01 44 55 61 00 <BR> <BR>Paris Vision 214 rue de Rivoli <BR>phone 01 42 60 31 25 <BR> <BR>American Exprss 11 rue Scribe <BR>phone 01 47 77 77 37 <BR> <BR>I've read that the RATP (metro system) also arranges tours to Giverny: <BR>pl de la Madeleine, phone 01 40 06 71 45 <BR> <BR>By the way, I took a bus tour there years ago ( I have since gone independently and it's quite easy if you're interested) and altho transportation was provided they did not provide a guided tour of the house and grounds. It really wasn't necessary: the house is small, and it and the gardens speak for themselves. <BR>If you take the bus tour, when everyone starts touring the house, head to the gardens first. You will be able to walk around in less-crowded conditions, and contemplate the water-lily pond with a little more serenity. Then go back to the house and go through it before you leave. <BR>

GIVERNY!! I put an extra "e" in. <BR>Tell me about your experiences of <BR>"doing it yourself". I read a couple of <BR>guide books and they made the trip sound sort of dicey. If it is in reality easy to do, then I prefer to do it myself. <BR>The books I read said train service was sporadic, etc. So I thought a guided tour might make the trip more expeditious. <BR>

I took the train with my Mother to Giverny in 1997 and had NO problems. Go to Raileurope.com and get the train schedules. However, check at the train station when you arrive in Paris which they will give you a more detailed list of schedules. From what I remember, the train trip was inexpensive. Upon arrival in Vernon, we shared a taxi to Giverny, 3 miles away. We met this American couple who suggested sharing a taxi as the bus schedule is sporatic. We were there for a few hours enjoying the beautiful gardens. Take lots of film! We also bought sandwiches at the next door restaurant before taking a taxi back to the train station.

Bob, here's the web site for Paris to Giverny (copy/paste this complete line): <BR> <BR>http://www.raileurope.com/cgi-bin/fs...24&submit.y=13

<BR>Giverny: Fondation Claude Monet <BR>open April 1-Oct 31 Tues-Sunday, 10-6 <BR>call 33-2-32 51 28 21 <BR>Wednesday is said to be the lightest day in terms of crowds, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be crowded <BR>By train: from Gare St Lazare, take train toward Rouen, get off at Vernon. Find a bus or cab to Giverny. <BR> You can consult the recommended sites for train schedules. I wouldn't plan to arrive at the Vernon station much before 9:45 or 10am because many Vernon cab drivers don't seem to be out and about earlier than that.

Dear Bob, <BR> <BR>Just went to Giverny by train last week. It's VERY easy and inexpensive (less than $30)to do on your own and allows you more flexibility. The trains leave from St. Lazare station and busses are there to meet you upon arrival at the Vernon train station. <BR> <BR>We happened to rent bikes from the train station and enjoyed exploring a bit of Vernon and the tiny village of Giverny; the bus would allow you more time at Monet's house and gardens. I'm not sure what the big tours cost or include. <BR> <BR>The following are express trains. Others are available which take about 40 minutes more: <BR> <BR>Paris, St.Lazare-Vernon, Tues-Friday: <BR>Trains depart at 8:15, 12:04, 2:23. The ride takes 45 minutes. <BR> <BR>Vernon-Giverny, Tues-Friday: <BR>Connecting busses depart at 9:10, 1:00, 3:10. The bus ride takes 20 minutes. <BR> <BR>Giverny-Vernon, Tues-Friday: <BR>Busses depart at 2:10, 5:15, 6:55. <BR> <BR>SNCF return, Vernon-Paris, Tues-Friday: <BR>2:52, 6:04, 8:41. <BR> <BR>Train fare: <BR>1st class, round-trip: 200F <BR>2nd class, round-trip: 136F <BR> <BR>"Discovery Pass for two" <BR>1st class, round-trip: 152F <BR>2nd class, round-trip: 102F <BR>(We paid 100F per person, round-trip for three of us) <BR> <BR>Bus fare: <BR>Round-trip: 23F <BR> <BR>Entry to the Foundation (Monet's house and Gardens): 35F Adults; 20F Children; 25F Students <BR> <BR>The ticket/information office at St. Lazare SNCF station will give you an English brochure about Giverny as well as complete train and bus schedules. <BR> <BR>You'll have a great time no matter how you go. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

We took the Cityrama tour last May. It was fine, the weather started out rainy but cleared while we were there. While it was crowded, when I look at my pictures, I'm surprised at how the people sort of disappeared. Since we had such luck getting around Paris, and got to know the trains as well as Metro, I think we'll do it ourselves next time and spend a night in Vernon. Do visit the website: www.giverny.org

Thanks to all of you who responded to my question. Because I jinxed the formus, and made it impossible to answer here for a couple of days, I got emails to my blaze account. So thanks to all of you who so graciously and willingly filled me in on the details. My wife is a Monet fan, and I am learning to like that Impressionist School, too. So she also says thanks, but leaves the Internetting to me. <BR>

Bob, (and your wife and other Impressionist fans)just one more thought: Musee Marmottan has the second largest collection of Monet paintings and is a small, lovely, well-lit museum with no lines, relatively few tourists and comfortable, cushioned seating so you can bask in the beauty in comfort. <BR> <BR>Take the fast, albeit confusing, RER to Boulainvilliers and stroll through a delightful area of shops and markets, or take the metro to La Muette which is a few blocks closer to the park and museum. <BR> <BR>If you tire of the Impressionists, the Marmottan also has an exquisite collection of illuminated manuscripts. <BR> <BR>Bon voyage.