Giverny and dessert

Today we took our first train trip out of paris to the town of Giverny.  Actually to the town of Vernon and then we rode rented bicycles through the town and an 8 mile bike path along the fields of Normandy past 16th through 19th century farm houses.  The trip was suggested by our friend Sabrina.  Thanks, Brie.  She and her family (Jack, Patricia and Dan) just did the same trip last month.  The ultimate destination was Monet's house and gardens. 

Medieval house on route to Giverny.

We stopped for lunch at the a few blocks away from Monet's pad at the Ancien Hotel Baudy.  On a lovely terrace overlooking the countryside.

Ned had a Campari, Melissa had the green sirop Frigolet.  The Frigolet looked super cool, but was sans flavor.

Duck salad and a chevre cheese terrine.  We were each served a whole duck, seriously.

After a bit of a line, we were permitted entry into Monet's house and garden.  We already had so much fun biking there we weren't expecting too much.  But wow, the garden was a knockout!  He built the gardens so he could paint them.  The house and gardens were great art works.

The house was also stunning, we weren't allowed to take any pictures inside, but Melissa now wants to paint her house cornflower blue and her kitchen sunflower yellow.

A lilly pad pond, a japanese foot bridge, weeping willows, croaking frogs, blankets of flowers.

Just like a Monet painting, but with one addition 

The gardens were preserved as Monet left them but the jets streaking overhead reminded us that time marches on.

Phew, back on the bike for the return trip

Melissa made a friend along the way.

It was hot and the sun was beating down on the return trip.  We reached the edge of Vernon and stopped by this beautiful old bridgehouse.  

Almost at the train station, finally.  Back to Paris

Yet another odd sighting back in Paris, in the St. Germain 'hood.   There were about 8 antique cars and a bit of a party around them.  

We went back to the Pierre Herme store and bought a few more treats:  A rose macaron biscuit with rose cream, rasberries and lychee; A coffee soaked cake with coffee ganache; and chocolate cake, with chocolate cream chocolate mouse, chocolate crisp and chocolate wafers.  Gros Bises!