Flat Stanley Brayden’s Adventure Blog: June 3 – Vernon, Giverny, and Les Andelys: Castles, Gardens & French Surprises!
Bonjour, explorers! Flat Stanley Brayden here, and today was our first full day of river cruising in France. We visited beautiful towns, toured magical gardens, and even saw a real castle! Let’s see what made today so special.
Morning Arrival in Vernon – Monet’s World
We woke up in the lovely town of Vernon, right along the Seine River. After breakfast, we had a big decision—what kind of adventure should we choose?
Some of us took a guided tour of Giverny, the home and gardens of the famous artist Claude Monet. We walked through Monet’s colorful flower gardens and saw the pond with the water lilies, just like in his paintings!
Others explored the magnificent Bizy Castle (called “Normandy’s Versailles”) with its grand courtyard, fountains, and beautiful stables.
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| Breakfast |
Fun Fact:
Claude Monet was a master of Impressionist painting, and his garden at Giverny inspired some of the world’s most famous art!
French Crêpes and History Onboard
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Afternoon in Les Andelys – Castles and Views
In the afternoon, our ship sailed to the picturesque town of Les Andelys. The scenery here was amazing—green hills, a winding river, and a castle on the cliff!
We had two awesome tour choices:
Some of us hiked up to the ruins of Château Gaillard, the ancient fortress built by King Richard the Lionheart. The view from the top was incredible!
Others took a guided walking tour of Les Andelys, one of the prettiest towns on the Seine, with charming streets and riverside views.
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| That is a long way up that hill to walk |
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| A long way still to go |
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| Woo, we made it. I can see our ship |
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| How it looked |
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| A pool like Grammy's but too far to jump |
Learning Moment:
Château Gaillard was built in just two years (that’s super fast for a castle!) and was once one of the strongest fortresses in France.
The walk down the hill was a lot easier. After we were back in town, went to their main church and walk the streets of the town
Evening Onboard – Stories and Sunsets
After our adventures, we returned to the Avalon Tapestry II for dinner. We shared stories about Monet’s garden, castle hikes, and all the things we learned. As the sun set, we watched the river glow gold and pink—so peaceful!
Cartoon Fun: Flat Stanley Brayden’s Garden & Castle Day
Question for You
If you could visit a famous garden or a real castle, which would you choose? What would you want to see or do there?
That’s all for today, fellow travelers! Tomorrow, we’ll discover even more of Normandy’s secrets. Stay tuned for more adventures with Flat Stanley Brayden!
Bonne nuit (good night) from your friend on the Seine!
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