After a botched attempt on Friday, today we finally got to go to Giverny!  We took a train to Vernon and then rented bikes to get to the actual town.  While the rental place is right outside the train station, it took a little hunting to find the bike trail.  When we finally did find it, it was 4 gorgeous kilometers of beautiful weather, countryside, and rolling green hills.  Just the thing after spending three weeks in a huge city!

The town was full of tourists, but still adorable.  Everything seemed covered in ivy and flowers!  We didn’t have very long, so we went straight to the gardens.  They were SO beautful!!!

I can see all of Monet’s inspiration.  This very place was where he painted most of his greatest works – the waterlilies and the pont japonais.  And you know how much I love Monet!  Plus, it was a simply beautiful place.

Then we got to tour his actual house, which was beautiful, and overlooks the gardens.

And then we have me, being a daredevil on the ride back and taking a picture of myself!!!  In addition to noting my fabulous biking skills (which I was concerned about, since I don’t remember the last time I went biking), note what a gorgeous day it was!

Then my camera died … so no more photos for you!  But I can describe!  We went over to the Ile de la Cite and Notre Dame to visit the exotic bird market they have there on Sundays.  It’s kind of crazy and we actually saw a couple of women who bought birds!  Giant white parrots!

We wandered over to Sainte-Chapelle and bought tickets for a concert there on Tuesday night.  Then, since we are right there, ice cream!!!  This time, I made a huge change and actually got Amorino as opposed to Berthillon (the more touristy ice cream place).  Amorino is a gelato place and they make the ice cream into a rose shape.  So awesome!  I did conclude that I like Berthillon slightly better, but Amorino was super cool and had no line!

Then back to the hostel for a sushi dinner, skyping home (Happy Father’s Day Dad!), and the reading that I skipped when I was living up the rest of the weekend!

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