Day 6 - Giverny or Versailles
We start the day cruising to Giverny, enjoying an expert talk on
board; 'A Definition of Impressionism'. Now synonymous with Monet,
the artist saw the village of Giverny for the first time during a
train journey in 1883 and decided that this was the spot he wanted
to live and work in. With its instantly recognisable lily ponds,
the gardens are the image of how they were when Monet first painted
them, almost like stepping into one of his artworks, and the house
still has the atmosphere of a creative retreat. Alternatively, you
could visit Château de Malmaison, a stately home purchased by
Napoleon's first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais. Napoleon himself
visited for a few days before his exile to Saint-Helena and we tour
the preserved interiors, including the billiard room, the Salon
Doré, the music room, home to a harp once played by Josephine, and
Napolean's bedroom.
On our 29th September departure, you could stop at the opulent
Palace of Versailles. Former seat of the Royal family until the
French Revolution, the gardens are equally as impressive as the
palace. Featuring a web of manicured lawns, extravagant fountains
and dramatic sculptures, they were built around a series of lakes
and canal waterways that feed the mesmerising fountains. On a
guided tour, you also see the historically important Hall of
Mirrors, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed. We re-join the
boat, enjoying a traditional French 'guinguette' evening after
dinner.
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