There’s plenty to do in Paris, and no one can be blamed for visiting France several times without stepping beyond the gate that is the peripherique. Nonetheless, the villages, suburbs and country sides that surround the French capital are worth a visit, if only for an afternoon. A short jaunt beyond city limits offers a wonderful, new French experience accessible by public transportation, rental car and, in some cases, even bicycle. The beauty of these brief excursions outside of Paris is that travelers can experience something new, and be back in their New York Habitat vacation rental in Paris before night falls.
Of all of the French painters to leave their mark on the art world, few rival the impression made by Claude Monet, Impressionist painter and former resident of greater Paris. Monet lived in the small town of Giverny, less than an hour from central Paris by train and bus or foot. It is in this small French village that Monet worked on his famous water lily paintings. Visitors to the Claude Monet house and garden in Giverny are pleased to find the subjects of many of his famous paintings intact and an innumerable amount of flowers, many planted by the painter himself, in perpetual bloom. Even guests not particularly familiar with Impressionist paintings will recognize the Japanese bridge and water garden the artist made so recognizable.
Beyond the Monet home is the village of Giverny, a tiny country side enclave full of charm and, in the high season, tourists. Nonetheless, despite the hordes of tourists in certain times of the year, the village is only home to about 300 full-time residents and visitors finding themselves in the town on a slow day might find it hard to believe that metropolitan Paris is only 50 miles away. Getting to and from Giverny is a cinch, just take the train from Gare St. Lazare in Paris to Vernon and take a short bus ride or walk to the village of Giverny from there.
As mentioned earlier, the beauty of Paris day trips is that visitors can get a taste of France outside of the capital without having to leave the comfort of their New York Habitat apartment rental in Paris. Dozens of New York Habitat apartments are available year-round, just a short train ride to the village of Giverny and Monet’s Gardens. Below are a few to get your search started:
- This 1-bedroom vacation rental apartment in Marais-Les Halles (PA-3875) features exposed wood beams, overlooks the street and surrounding buildings and is located in the hip Marais district.
- This huge furnished 4-bedroom Paris apartment rental in Le Marais – 4th Arrondissement – (PA-3390), which is ideal for families or large groups.
My Trip to Giverny why quite something. It was organizged by a company (I forgot the name) that do tours in Paris and outside the city to different France’s Regions. The satff was very professional and knowledgeable, it was a pleasure.
When I went to France the first time I visted Monet’s gardens it was really lovely. I’ve just been to the MOMA and saw the Waterlilies exhibit. It was really astounding.
I would really love to visit Giverny.
I think it would be gorgeous to see this painting in real life, but it rarely is as awesome as you hope…
I love all those Parks and Gardens that France has to offer. You can find a variety of green patches in every city. I love it !
I wonder whether it would be better to go to Giverny before or after going to L’Orangerie?
The Garden I really want to see is the Versailles garden! This one is really amazing plus you can go by subway!
This is nice