A charming village located just 80 km West of Paris, Giverny’s picturesque gardens were the source of inspiration for Impressionist painter Claude Monet’s most esteemed works from 1883 until his death in 1926. The gardens and restored house have since become a pilgrimage for artists, tourists and nature lovers alike.
After a peaceful stroll through the cascades of flowers and weeping willows, take a short walk over to Le Jardin des Plumes, a Michelin-starred restaurant serving dishes as beautiful as the surrounding scenery. Or, lunch in one of the many quaint local restaurants near Monet’s house. Complete the day with a visit to the fabulous Museum of Impressionisms in the village.
Metro: Porte Dorée (line 8)
It may not be very big but, housed in the beautifully maintained Art Deco building, Le Palais de la Porte Dorée, this small aquarium won’t disappoint. Learn about the richness and diversity of the aquatic world and the importance it represents. Its 84 aquariums contain about 5,000 animals, including 300 species of tropical fish and fauna.
Guédelon has been described as the “world’s largest archaeological experiment”. It all began in 1995, when an archaeological study at Saint-Fargeau Castle revealed a medieval stone fortress hidden within the red brick walls.
A team of construction builders works from medieval financial records, manuscripts, stained-glass cathedral windows and research. Their mission is to build a 13th century castle over 25 years using the construction techniques and logistical organization of the Middle Ages. The site, located in the heart of Burgundy’s wine vineyards in eastern France, possesses all the resources necessary for the building of a castle: a stone quarry, an oak forest and a water supply.
Read abotu it here: “Archaeological Challenge: Building a Real Medieval Chateau Today”
Hidden away in a real greenhouse, you can admire the beauty of 40 different species of butterflies. It’s a wonderful new experience for your nature-loving children where you can witness the egg-laying, hatching and the metamorphosis of these beautiful insects.
The American School of Paris (ASP) in Saint Cloud, a western suburb of Paris, is a great place for families to find innovative activities and holiday camps in English. Through its Extension Program the private, international school opens its world-class facilities to external students aged 4 to 18 during school vacations as well as Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the school year.
Camps and year-round activities led in English include basketball, tennis, soccer, coding, science, fashion design, filmmaking, theatre and more. Kids looking to improve their English skills have a choice of English immersion classes and even intensive workshops to prepare for the English BAC exam or the SAT American college entrance exam. At ASP, there’s bound to be a camp or workshop right for your child.
Check out their WEBSITE for all the details!
If you love some of INSPIRELLE‘s portraits and Paris photos, turn to professional photographer Alexis Duclos. One of our most fervent supporters, Alexis is an experienced award-winning photographer and video cameraman who can capture your individual and family portraits for business or personal use as well as produce corporate videos to enhance your company websites.
To consult his versatile work visit his website: http://www.alexisduclos.com
As its name would suggest, the Museum of Impressionisms Giverny focuses on all the different forms of Impressionism, one of the most popular painting movements in history. Explore the origins, geographical diversity, history and development of this genre of art. Giverny is not only an essential stop on an Impressionist route in the Seine Valley, it is also a crucial landmark in the turn from Impressionism to the art of the 20th century.