BonJour,
My wife and I are attending the Best of Paris tour from April 12-18th. There is a day trip to Versailles included. Is it possible to take a bus to Giverny from that location? Bonus question... Is it allowed to get lunch to go in the town and eat on the grounds of Versailles? Merci!
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
4382 posts
Are you trying to visit both in one day using a bus?
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Yes. The tour at Versailles ends around 1 pm.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17024 posts
"The tour at Versailles ends around 1 pm."
Actually the tour of the Palace probably ends around 1P and then you are set free to visit the gardens, the Grand and Petit Trianons, Marie Antoinette's Hamlet, the Grand Canal, the small little hidden grottos and gardens. When I did this tour I got back to Paris around 6P but you could come back any time you wished.
I would not try to do both of these in a day. Versailles is huge. Monet's house and gardens are large but not as big as Versailles, still I spend nearly a full day there as well.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks so much for the reply. Is it possible to snag a bite somewhere and eat at Versailles?
Posted by
Chicago
9618 posts
You are not supposed to picnic in the Garden although I have shared a thermos of tea and a snack on a hidden bench with a friend -- but it is discouraged. The grounds however is fine for picnicking like down around the canal where the restaurants are and the boats and some kiosks with ice cream and snacks. You are not supposed to haul food when touring the palace and you do go through bag check/security.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3150 posts
Just fyi. To go to Giverny you need to return to Paris and leave from the Gare St Lazare, then the little shuttle to the house and gardens. It takes about 45 minutes on the train alone. You would likely get to Monet's house and gardens close to closing time.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
Thanks for all the great advice.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
17024 posts
In answer to your question about eating...there are a number of food options dotted around the grounds from very expensive to reasonable.
https://en.chateauversailles.fr/plan-your-visit/facilities
Here is a not-very-good map of where the various food options are located.
http://bienvenue.chateauversailles.fr/fr/jardins/restauration-et-boutiques#
Posted by
USA
456 posts
If you want to visit Monet's gardens I recommend doing it on a pre or post tour day.
My daughter and I took this tour last April and loved it and had plenty to keep us busy arriving 5 nights early. We did visit Monet's gardens our first full day on the ground.