I walked along the old rail line now a path and loved it - bit hard to find after crossing the river - was behind some kind of high-rise flats - at that time not well marked - this is the rail line Monet often used to commute to nearby Rouen to paint the cathedral facade so many times in various modes.

You come into Giverny in a sleepy part of the village few tourists stumble onto. Monet's grave is in the parish cemetery on this end - keep walking thru town until you see the hubbub frenzy by Monet's House.

Giverny is a sleep village away from Monet's House - explore it after visiting the house/gardens.

I was going to ask how long you have in Paris and see on another thread it is "3 or 4 days". If so, IMO, you don't have time for these day trips. Paris will more than fill your time.

OR play it by ear IF you think you still want to do it after getting your "Paris legs".

I enjoyed Auvers-sur-Oise more than Giverny - as a village and you have a similar Impressionists home here - Van Gogh and Cezanne and other Impressionists gathered here - Van Gogh killed himself here - his bed in the local hotel still has blood stains on it - the town has set up copies of the Impressionists most famous works right at where they were painted.

Get a walking tour from the tourist office and stroll around this lovely old village not inundated by tourists.

Auvers is about an hour by suburban train or less from Paris.

https://www.google.com/search?q=auve...=1591&bih=1040

I liked the Giverny/Rouen idea. We visited Versailles 3 times and still didn't see everything. It's huge. I suggest Versailles by itself.

I've been with many people who are only in Paris for 3 or 4 days and done day trips with them and most of the time they mention that their day spent outside of Paris was the highlight of their trip. Not one of them has regretted making the day trip. Different strokes for different folks. :)

Yes indeedy - I am always surprised at how many folks say spend all your five days in Paris - too much to see and do there - even Versailles many says takes too long.

I agree with FMT in this regard - a day trip should be a priority of any trip to Paris more than say 3 days - even less OK too.

to answer another question further up thread that got a bit lost, IMO Versailles is a 2/3 day trip, depending on the crowds and the weather. if it's cold, the crowds are less but it's not so nice in the gardens; if it's warm, it's nicer but the crowds can spoil it.

the town of Versailles is also worth a bit of time after you've seen the palace.

Versailles and Chartres could easily be twinned on a day trip at they are on the same main rail line - if you only wanted to see the Chartres cathedral and not have lots of time to look around.

If going to Versailles the Paris Museum Pass covers it in full and you get priority - no waiting entrance I think - well I did last time not sure of current status - but you can wait a long long time in line to buy tickets.

and yes the town of Versailles itself is worth a good look - Benjamin Franklin and other luminaries houses when the were living at the Court of the Kings of France who moved out to Versailles as they seat of government to escape the rabble in Paris.

Of course see Marie Antoinette's famous Le Hameau - a good trek thru the park - where she allegedly liked to play peasant gal and ten to sheep, etc. Just rehabbed.

I would agree with FMT IF they are being guided and informed all along the way by his excellent talents. Good idea.
They are coming from London, and then heading south. I just don't see a lot of time to do justice to Paris, but as is said, it's their trip.

Of course see Marie Antoinette's famous Le Hameau - a good trek thru the park - where she allegedly liked to play peasant gal and ten to sheep, etc. Just rehabbed>>

there is a little train/bus that will take you there.

I don't think that she was a "hands-on" shepherdess.

You're too kind, Gretchen. :)

This is our third trip to Paris. Previously we spent all our time in the city, that's why we haven't been to Versailles or Giverny. It's a goal this time to do them!

PalenQ, is that train line defunct now? Never going to take a chance of getting caught but sounds intriguing. As does Auvers. We're renting a car out of Paris and driving south. Is Auvers in that direction? Drivable?

Thanks for all the suggestions. Appreciate your wisdom and experience.

Thanks Lady1 for nice comments - the train tracks were pulled up long ago - now a walking path - was not paved when I took it - may be now for bikes as well.

Going south is not conducive to Auvers, on the northwest periphery of the Paris conurbation.

Are you planning to drive south for your time in Provence? Driving all the way? It might be better to maximize your time there by taking the train and renting there.

We've thought of that, Gretchen, but we have a month so time isn't so much an issue, costs seems about equivalent and I do want to swing by and visit Guedelon, the castle they are building with medieval techniques. I thought it would be great if Auvers was in that direction, too.

Fontainebleu would be in that direction - and the famous artists villages in the forest of Fontainebleu - Barbizon which launched its own school genre of paintings I believe - in a bucolic setting.

Vezelay would also be on tops of my list if heading that way. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and in medieval times primo pilgrimage site who came here to see the venerated holy relic that once proved to be a fake caused the pilgrimage trade to dry up and the town was left slumbering along until rehabbed in the 1800s - great basilica still immaculate - a wonderful few-hour stop - Auxerre nearby is a sweet regional town to stay in.

https://www.google.com/search?q=veze...=1574&bih=1040

Oh check out StuDudley's excellent itineraries for this area - was in a recent thread so search for his screen name.

Fontainebleu = Fontainebleau (meaning <i>fontaine belle eau</i>)

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/f...ance/barbizon/

Fodor's has a special entry on Barbizon.