Private Full Day Tour of Giverny and Rouen from Le Havre
Impressionist gardens, medieval streets, and Norman history on one unforgettable day trip
This private shore excursion from Le Havre to Giverny and Rouen takes you deep into two of Normandy's most iconic destinations, combining the living artistry of Claude Monet's garden with the medieval grandeur of Rouen's cathedral city. Your private driver-guide meets you dockside with coffee and croissants, setting the tone for a day that is as personal as it is rich in culture.
Giverny rewards early arrivals, and this itinerary is timed to reach the gardens before the crowds build. You will have generous time to explore Monet's house, wander the water lily pond pathways, and absorb the landscape that inspired some of the most celebrated paintings in Western art. Your guide brings the story of Monet's family, his methods, and his lifelong relationship with this garden to life in a way no audio tour can replicate.
Lunch is taken at the Restaurant Baudy, a historic gathering place favored by Monet and the Impressionist painters who followed him to Giverny. The afternoon shifts to Rouen, the capital of Normandy, where a thousand years of history are compressed into walkable medieval streets. From the cathedral where Norman dukes were buried to the square where Joan of Arc was martyred, Rouen delivers history at a scale that feels genuinely immersive.
The day closes with free time in Rouen for shopping and independent wandering before your guide returns you to the ship by early evening. Because the tour is entirely private, the pace, the stops, and the conversation are shaped around you.
Tour Highlights
Walk through Claude Monet's famous gardens and water lily pond in Giverny, best experienced in spring and early summer morning light.
Tour Monet's restored house and learn about his large family, his painting techniques, and his deep connection to Normandy.
Enjoy lunch at the historic Restaurant Baudy, the gathering place for Monet and his Impressionist contemporaries near Giverny.
Visit Rouen's Notre Dame Cathedral, where the tombs of Norman dukes including Rollo, the dynasty's founder, rest beneath Gothic arches.
Discover the Gros Horloge street and the Maclou Cloister, considered one of the most Gothic spaces in all of Europe.
Stand in the marketplace where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake and visit the church built in her memory.
Your guide meets you directly at your cruise ship in Le Havre with coffee and croissants, and returns you by 6.30 PM.
Itinerary Overview
Your private guide meets you at the ship with coffee and fresh croissants. The drive to Giverny takes roughly 90 minutes through the Normandy countryside.
Arrive at Giverny for a guided visit of Claude Monet's property, including his restored house, the flower garden, and the iconic water garden with its Japanese bridge. Your guide covers Monet's life, his family, and the garden's role in his artistic output.
Share a meal at the Restaurant Baudy, where Monet and fellow Impressionists gathered before he could afford to buy the Giverny house. The setting connects directly to the history you have just explored.
Arrive in Rouen to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, where Norman dukes including Rollo are buried. Your guide explains the architectural history and the cathedral's significance to Normandy's past.
Walk the Gros Horloge street, visit Joan of Arc Church on the marketplace, and explore the Aître Saint-Maclou cloister, a rare surviving example of Gothic funerary architecture. A brief stop is made at La Couronne, where Julia Child first encountered French cuisine.
Enjoy free time in Rouen for shopping or independent exploration before the drive back to Le Havre, arriving at the port by early evening.
What Is Included
Included
- Private driver-guide for the full day
- Welcome coffee and fresh croissants at pickup
- Entrance to Monet's house and gardens in Giverny
- Guided visits at all sites
- Lunch at Restaurant Baudy (drinks not specified)
- All transportation in a private vehicle
- Hotel or ship pickup and drop-off in Le Havre
Not Included
- Personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for the guide (optional)
- Beverages beyond those specified
- Personal shopping expenses
- Any entrance fees not listed above
Important Information
This is a private tour departing from Le Havre cruise port. Confirm your ship's docking schedule and communicate any accessibility requirements in advance. The tour is rated Easy and suitable for most fitness levels, though Rouen's medieval streets include cobblestones.
Reserve Your Private Tour
Secure your spot on this private full-day excursion from Le Havre to Giverny and Rouen. Availability is limited given the private format, so early booking is advisable, particularly for spring and summer sailings.
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