Expert-led
Discover Monet and France with Paula McWaters
Tour Claude Monet's gardens at Giverny on this unique trip with the company of gardening expert Paula McWaters, who'll give a talk and Q&A about the gardens.
These gardens served as Monet's main inspiration and are truly beautiful, bursting with poppies, lupins, delphiniums and peonies and with weeping willows framing the famous waterlily ponds.
The perfect complement to Giverny is the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris, where you can witness Monet's spectacular series of murals, Les Nymphéas, which depict various scenes from his garden.
You'll also the Château de Chantilly, with its extensive collection of fine art, and the charming market town of Senlis, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the old town's cobbled streets.
You'll be based at the four-star Château de Montvillargenne, the largest château hotel in France, surrounded by the historic Chantilly Forest. You'll dine in the hotel restaurant each night, enjoying fine wine and classically French fare.
Reasons to book
Stay in a 19th-century Château
Hear from Paula McWaters
No-fly holiday
Tour the Gardens of Giverny
Musée de l'Orangerie
Château de Chantilly
Your expert guide
Price includes
- Three nights' dinner with wine, bed and breakfast at the Château de Montvillargenne in the original château building
- Return standard class rail travel from London St Pancras International to Paris. (First Class upgrades and regional connections also available on request)
- Comfortable coach transport in France
- Visits to the Orangerie Museum, Monet's Garden, the Château de Chantilly, Senlis and the Parc Bagatelle
- Services of a tour manager
- Talk and Q&A session and guided tour of Monet Gardens in the company of Paula McWaters
Additional information
International rail
19-22 July
Departing London St Pancras 10.24, arriving Paris 13.50
Returning from Paris 17.12, arriving London St Pancras 18.32
Single supplement
£295
Accommodation
Château de Montvillargenne*This information is indicative and subject to change*
Book now
Itinerary
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Day1ParisParis, France
You'll take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord, from where you'll transfer to the Musée de l'Orangerie des Tuileries to see the museum's impressive collection.
The highlight is undoubtedly the series of two-metre high murals entitled Les Nymphéas, which Claude Monet installed between 1914 and 1918, when he was at the height of his career.
In addition to the Nymphéas, the Orangerie offers a fabulous collection of masterpieces from the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection, featuring Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Rousseau, Matisse, Derain, Modigliani, Soutine, Utrillo and Laurencin.
Later you'll travel out to the charming town of Chantilly, situated in the heart of the Chantilly Forest, and check-in to your hotel, the Château de Montvillargenne.
In the evening once you have settled into your room join our party for a welcome glass of Kir in the bar before dinner.
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Day2Château de Chantilly, SenlisSenlis, France
Enjoy your buffet breakfast at Château de Montvillargenne this morning before travelling to the nearby Château de Chantilly, a magnificent building which stands on a rock surrounded by water. Your visit will include the sumptuously decorated Grands Appartements, dating from the 17th-19th centuries.
In the afternoon you'll transfer to Senlis, a quintessential Picardy market town, where you'll have some free time to wander round the shops and perhaps enjoy lunch from a pâtisserie.
This evening over dinner you will enjoy an informative talk and Q&A with Paula McWaters.
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Day3Giverny and Monet’s gardenGiverny, France
This morning following breakfast you'll depart for Giverny and the world famous house and gardens of Claude Monet for a visit with Paula, who'll give her insights as you explore.
You'll arrive early at Giverny, at a time when the gardens are at their most tranquil. Both the house and gardens have been lovingly and accurately restored - you can almost believe that the family have just gone out to walk in the garden.
You will go on a guided tour and also have plenty of time to explore this marvellous garden at your leisure and enjoy a light lunch (not included).
Following our visit we will enjoy free time in Giverny along with an opportunity to visit the little church where Monet is buried before returning to the hotel for dinner.
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Day4Parc de BagatelleParis, France
After breakfast you'll travel to Paris for a visit to the Parc de Bagatelle situated at the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. Created in 1775, the park and its chateau were built in 64 days after a wager between Queen Marie-Antoinette and her brother-in-law, the Count of Artois.
Along with an Orangerie and some classic French parterres, Bagatelle is famous for its rose garden, laid out in 1907, and the very essence of Gallic charm and style.
After your visit you'll have some free time to shop and sightsee at your leisure, perhaps visiting some of Paris' wonderful art galleries, churches, and museums.
In the evening, you'll return to the Gare du Nord for your Eurostar journey back to London.
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