Paris: Day 2

Day two in Paris took us on a tour to the Normandy region of France to visit Giverny, best known for the home and garden of Claude Monet. We then went to Versailles before arriving back in Paris.

The name of the street we visited in Giverny, Claude Monet Road.

A view of Claude Monet's Garden. It was exactly as I had pictured. It is more picturesque in May-July so not everything was in bloom yet but still beautiful and well worth seeing. Monet is one of my very favorite artists so this really excited me. (My other favorite artists are Van Gogh and Seurat - perfect for a trip to France!)

Monet's house which we also toured.

Joe and I in the gardens. One of my favorite trip photos.

After touring the home and gardens, and a trip to the Museum of Impressionism, we walked to a nearby church to see where Monet was buried.

An upclose view of the grave marker.

Lunch was at a quaint little water mill restaurant in the countryside. Probably my least favorite meal in France though because I do not love (or like) salmon pate.

Next was Versailles. Here I am at the gate to the Palace.

Here's a view inside the gates. At one time there were 3,000 servants working here. This place was so crazy, over the top.

Joe in the Hall of Mirrors.

Marie Antoinette slept here.

A small view of the gardens. It actually started pouring and hailing while we were inside the Palace so when it finally stopped and we went outside, our time was very limited to see the Gardens. The photos I did take don't do it justice - vast and beautiful.

When we returned to Paris we made a stop at this wonderful patissier across from our hotel. I should have taken a photo of the wonderful things we bought but I'm afraid we ate them too quickly.

Finally our wonderful dinner. Most restaurants in Paris don't even open until 7:30 pm so it was common for us to go back to the hotel, take a brief nap and then go to a late dinner.