Private Full Day Tour of Giverny and Rouen from Le Havre
From Monet's legendary garden to Normandy's medieval capital, one remarkable day ashore.
This private day tour from Le Havre to Giverny and Rouen combines two of northern France's most celebrated destinations into a single, expertly guided shore excursion. Your private driver-guide meets you dockside with coffee and fresh croissants before whisking you through the Normandy countryside.
Giverny is the living legacy of Claude Monet, a garden he sculpted over decades and used as his primary subject during the most prolific period of his career. Walking through the water lily pond and the riot of colour in the flower garden offers a direct connection to the paintings that defined Impressionism. Your guide shares the personal history of Monet's family, his friendships, and his evolving technique throughout the visit.
After lunch at the historic Baudy restaurant, where Monet and his circle of artist friends gathered long before Giverny became famous, the tour continues to Rouen. The city preserves one of the densest collections of medieval and Renaissance architecture in northern France, and its cathedral became a subject Monet painted more than thirty times under changing light.
In Rouen your guide leads you through the Gros Horloge street, the cathedral interior, the Joan of Arc square, and the haunting Aître Saint-Maclou cloister. There is also time to browse the old quarter independently and visit local shops before the return drive to the port.
Tour Highlights
Walk through Claude Monet's iconic garden and pond at Giverny, the living source of his most celebrated Impressionist works.
Enjoy lunch at the Baudy restaurant, the historic gathering place of Monet and the Impressionist painters who visited Giverny.
Admire Rouen's Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that captivated Monet and shelters centuries of Norman history.
Follow the footsteps of Joan of Arc through the marketplace and church where her trial and execution shaped French history.
Explore the medieval Gros Horloge street and learn about the Hundred Years War, the Harelle revolt, and Norman Renaissance culture.
Visit the Aître Saint-Maclou cloister, one of the most striking Gothic funerary complexes surviving in Europe.
Travel in comfort as a private group with a dedicated driver-guide who greets you at the ship with refreshments from the very first moment.
Itinerary
Your guide meets you at your ship in Le Havre (or Honfleur) with coffees and fresh croissants. The drive through the Normandy countryside sets the mood for the day ahead.
Arrive at Giverny around 9:30 AM to explore the flower garden, the Japanese bridge, and the famous water lily pond. Your guide narrates the story of Monet's life, his family, and the artistic movement he helped define.
Share a meal at the historic Baudy, the inn and restaurant that served as a meeting point for Monet and visiting Impressionist painters before Giverny became a celebrated destination.
Arrive in Rouen around 2:00 PM to visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral, where the dukes of Normandy are buried and where Monet set up his easel repeatedly. Your guide explains the architecture, the ducal history, and Monet's celebrated series of cathedral paintings.
Walk the Gros Horloge street to the marketplace, the Joan of Arc church, and the Aître Saint-Maclou cloister. A brief stop near the Couronne restaurant marks the spot where Julia Child first discovered French cuisine.
Enjoy time to wander Rouen's old quarter, browse local shops, or sit at a cafe before the drive back. The group returns to the port by approximately 6:30 PM.
What Is Included
Included
- Private driver-guide for the full day
- Welcome coffee and fresh croissants at the port
- Guided visit of Monet's house and gardens in Giverny
- Guided tour of Rouen historic centre
- Round-trip private transport from the ship
- Lunch at the Baudy restaurant in Giverny
Not Included
- Entry tickets to Monet's house and gardens (payable locally)
- Personal purchases and souvenirs
- Gratuities (optional)
- Any meals beyond the included lunch
Important Information
Reserve Your Private Day Tour
Secure your spot on this private shore excursion combining Giverny and Rouen in a single full day. Places are limited to your group only, so the experience is tailored entirely to your pace and interests.
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