Paris second trip -Giverny, Versailles, Rouen, Normandy considered side trips

Arriving on May 29 and leaving on June 1 means you really only have two days: Saturday and Sunday. I think you're right to forgo Normandy.

Versailles will be mobbed, but you can visit in a half day or 3/4 day and be back in Paris to de-stress before dinner time. Rouen would work as a day trip. It's less than an hour and a half each way by train from Gare Saint Lazare. Giverny gardens should be lovely; the trip is 2 to 2 1/2 hours each way. Realize, though, that you'd have to visit Monet's garden repeatedly throughout the growing season to revel in all the different kinds of blooms! Some come out in March-April and some not until September-October. http://giverny-impression.com/category/monets-flower-garden/

If you go to Giverny, I'd strongly recommend you plan to get there are early as possible. Our tour was one of the first two buses to arrive, and our guide hurried us to the lily pond while the other group headed to the gardens first. We were able to see the still water reflecting the willows, the bridge, the waterlilies...all without the hordes of people who arrived within the next hour or so. It was spectacular. By the time we had toured the gardens and Monet's home, it was getting very crowded (in late June), and we were ready to leave for the next stop. It was a memorable visit, to be sure - but ever since then I've been really thankful we were able to get there early in the day. As we were leaving, we came cross a painting class, with artists of all ages, spread out near a poppy field. I wished I could have joined them!

Another side trip you might consider would be Chartres, but later in the day. We enjoyed an amazing light display in the town after dark, with beautiful artistic images projected on many of the buildings, reflecting off the river, and culminating with a wonderful changing display on the facade of the cathedral. We were transported around the town on a little train/tram, and it was fun and really beautiful and memorable. https://www.chartresenlumieres.com/en/

Enjoy your trip!
Laurie

FWIW. Giverny is lovely with the crowds anyway. WE visited in May one year -- the drawback was that the bulb flowers like tulips and daffodils were done and the roses were not yet fully out but it was still lovely. They try to keep the garden in peak shape during the seasons it is open and it is always lovely.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/not-so-secret-garden-giverny/
With so little time I would not do two day trips and would choose Giverny over Versailles, but Versailles is something you should see once -- so it depends on how many times you think you will be in Paris.

Thank you all for the great recommendations. We went to Chartres last trip it was wonderful
Best
Stephanie

I'll just add a comment for your planning for future trips after this one, lol!

I see you have wisely decided not to try to do Normandy in your short time before your barge trip. To me, Normandy needs at least 2 nights in the local area - Bayeux or Arromanches or someplace nearby. If you are interested in seeing the DDay related sights you'll want a minimum of a full day without hours of travel on either end.

I've also visited Giverny in May, September and October. It's always amazing no matter what is in bloom.

Thank you all
Stephanie

Hello!

My husband and I will be travelling in Normandy in early October this year. We will be taking a train from Paris to Rouen and picking up our car rental there. We are then travelling onto Honfleur and Bayeux, which will be our base. Then day trips to Mont St. Michel and the beaches. My questions are, I am interested in the Fruit Trail which I believe is right outside of Rouen. How do we get there by car, what is worthwhile seeing there and would doing the Trail, a lunch in Honfleur and then continuing to Bayeux, be too much in one day?

Any thoughts on this please.

Thanks!

Brigitte

Brigitte, it would be better if you start a new thread with your questions. Otherwise, Stephanie will receive email notifications every time someone responds to you.