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Vétheuil

Situated at the gateway to Normandy (the birthplace of Impressionism), Vétheuil lies on the River Seine less than one hours drive north-west of Paris. Vétheuil is a peaceful charming old village on the River Seine, its 12th century church made famous by Claude Monet who painted it more than 60 times. Vétheuil has a baker, supermarket, restaurant, auberge, bar-tabac, chemist and several antique shops. Butchers and other vendors set up stalls in the village square on a regular basis. Vétheuil and the surrounding area has been a source of inspiration to painters and writers and remains so to this day.

There are tennis courts in the village and several golf courses nearby as well as delightful walks in the surrounding hills and along the cliffs overlooking the Seine. Sailing and wind-surfing are available at the Base de Loisirs water sport centre which is about 45 minutes drive from Vetheuil.

Giverny

Renowned world-wide as the home of Claude Monet this small village was also frequented by many other painters who invaded Paris and its art schools from the late 19th century onwards but who spent the summer months painting in the rural villages surrounding Paris. Monet's house and its water garden attract half a million visitors a year; the nearest museum where Monet's paintings can be admired is in Vernon. The village also contains the New American Impressionist Museum, which houses works of American Impressionist painters influenced by their French academic experiences, in particular Monet. Giverny is 15 km/9 miles (approx 20 minutes drive) from Vétheuil.

Paris

One of the great cities of the world and home to the Louvre, Paris is only 66 km/41 miles from Vétheuil; approx one hour on the motorway. Alternatively the city can be reached by taking a 'communal taxi service' to Mantes-la-Jolie (5 km from Vétheuil) and then a direct train to central Paris (40-45 minutes).

Other attractions include the Chateaux of Versailles, Saint-Germain, Rambouillet, Chantilly and Fontainebleau and Eurodisney are all within easy reach by car.

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