The Perfect Paris to Giverny Day Trip For Monet Lovers
A Paris to Giverny day trip is a must for Impressionism & Claude Monet lovers. I’ve been to Paris many many times, but I went to Giverny for the first time last year. I’m known to cry in art galleries, but seeing the place where Monet painted in person was next level. I definitely shed some tears because I thought about Monet’s vision being affected by his eye problems.
It must have been devastating to see the world dull before his eyes—literally. You can see the changes in Monet’s artworks throughout his eye ailments, and it just makes the paintings even more haunting.
This post is a complete guide to everything you could ever want to know about heading to Giverny for the day.
Why is Giverny a popular tourist destination?
Giverny is a popular stop on any tour of Impressionist art in Paris. As I mentioned in this post about the Impressionist museums in Paris, the draw to this place is that it’s where artist Claude Monet painted his famous water lilies. Seeing the paintings at the Musée de L’Orangerie is one thing (which I highly recommend), but seeing them in person is something entirely different.
For people who won’t get a chance to travel too far beyond Paris on vacation, Giverny is also a better representation of what life in rural France is like. My old roommate in grad school was from France and she lived in a rural area. Although Giverny has a lot more hustle and bustle than most rural towns because of Monet, you get a good feel in the town for what it’s like to be in the more rural parts of the country, which makes it a very quaint, chic stop!
How to pronounce Giverny in English
You pronounce Giverny this way in English: Gih (like gym) – Ver (like Veronica) – Knee.
Can you do a day trip to Giverny from Paris?
Yes, doing a Paris to Giverny day trip is very easy! It’s not a huge place to visit compared to Paris, but you can walk around and see some shops, eat at a few restaurants, etc. If you need to be out of the hustle and bustle of the city, then this is definitely a place to put on your list!
Is a day trip to Giverny worth it?
The answer to this will depend on how big of a Claude Monet fan you are. If you love the impressionists and Monet’s work specifically, then this will be one of the most spectacular places on earth. Especially if you visit the water lilies first and then you go to the museums that have them in Paris, it will be a totally different experience for you.
After seeing the really, it totally changes your appreciation for Monet’s skill and how he represented the world around him.
How much time do you need in Giverny?
You need about 2-3 hours in Giverny. The big draw is Claude Monet’s garden, and the town itself is cute enough to spend the day for sure, but I don’t think you’d be sad to leave and head over to something else.
Can you do Versailles and Giverny in one day?
Yes, you can—but only if you’re going to Versailles on a day that the palace and gardens are open later. Because you will be dependent on train schedules, I’d get an early start to the day to make sure you aren’t rushing to do both. I’d go see Monet’s home in Giverny as soon as it opens and book a 2pm ticket to Versailles. I wouldn’t book earlier than 2pm. It will be tight if there’s any kind of train delay.
What is the best day of the week to go to Giverny?
You’re better to go to Giverny during a week day as the weekends have a lot of extra foot track from French families and other European travellers who are weekending in Giverny.
What is the best time to visit Giverny?
Giverny is only open from end of March to November 1st, so you’ll want to plan your trip to March during that window. But if you want to see the water lilies that inspired Monet in bloom, then you must visit Giverny in July. You can see them from June through August, but they’ll be at their most Monet-like picturesque beauty in the month of July.
What to do in Giverny
Fondation Claude Monet
This one is very duh, of course Captain Obvious, but I have to put it in here! The Fondation Claude Monet manages Monet’s estate, including the gardens that he loved to paint. It’s really the main draw to Giverny, but it’s not a huge museum or grounds to visit.
Musée des impressionismes
The Museum of Impressionisms is a museum dedicated to the history of Impressionism. It’s a perfect complement to the Fondation Claude Monet, especially if you’re not planning on going to other museums in Paris, since at least that way you get a broader look at Impressionism in France and beyond.
And oh my goodness, is the greenery at this museum ever beautiful! If I can say one thing about Giverny, it’s that it’s very green. You really do feel like you’ve stepped into a Monet painting the entire time you’re there.
Église Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny
This was Claude Monet’s local church while he lived and painted in Giverny. It’s certainly not one of France’s more impressive churches (pretty hard to impress in a country that has the cathedrals of Amiens, Rouen, and Notre Dame, and several amazing basilicas to be fair). But it is one that Monet would have spent time in.
Giverny walking tour
One of the best ways to see Giverny and get to know fellow travelers is to do the half-day trip with Tiqets. You’ll meet in Paris and they’ll take you and the other tour participants to Giverny, where they’ll help you get to the Fondation and walk you around. If you’re someone who likes guided tours, you won’t be disappointed by this one.
How to get from Paris to Giverny for a Day Trip
You can get to Giverny by car, cab, uber, or train.
How far is it from Paris to Giverny?
It’s about 50 miles from Paris to Giverny or 90 minutes by car.
How far is Monet’s Garden from the train station?
You’ll still be about 20 minutes from getting there once you get off at the train station. But it’s an easy trip with the Vernon-Giverny-Vernon shuttle, which will run you 8 Euros for a round trip ticket per person.
How do I get from Paris to Giverny by public transport?
How to Get From Paris to Giverny for a Day Trip by Train
You’ll want to take the Paris-Vernon train, which departs from Paris Saint Lazare station. Several trains leave for Giverny throughout the day, so you’ll be able to get one easily. You’ll be on the train for about an hour and take it to the Vernon end station. You’ll then hop on the Vernon-Giverny-Vernon shuttle.
You can book your train tickets if you’d like on the SNCF website, but you should be able to get a ticket day-of no problem.
How often do the trains run from Paris to Giverny?
There are 27 trains per day from Paris to giverny, so a little more than one an hour. I would definitely look at the schedule.
How much is a train ticket from Paris to Giverny?
You can get a train ticket starting at 8 Euros, but the price can get as high as 22 Euros. You’re best to check the train schedule if cost is a factor.
Paris to Giverny by Car
This is one of the easiest journeys you could take by car. I generally recommend against driving anywhere near Paris, but this is one of the few exceptions. You’ll hop onto the A13 and you can stay on it the whole way or get onto the A14 for a slightly more straight-running journey. Either way, you’ll pretty much be on the autoroute the whole time.
Can I Uber from Paris to Giverny?
You can take an Uber, but it’ll run you about 118 Euros each way. It’s not horrendous if you’re going with friends since you can pack four people in the car and that brings down the cost a lot, but it’s in no way a cheap journey.
How much is a taxi from Paris to Giverny?
$140-$155, which is again pretty expensive. I normally take cabs everywhere when I’m in the city because as a person with mobility issues, it’s easier for me. But I took the train and shuttle to get to Giverny because I just couldn’t justify the cost and neither of us felt comfortable driving.
Can you take a boat from Paris to Giverny?
There are some scenic tours but it will take 5-7 days. There isn’t a quick commuter boat because it’s quite far away.
Visiting Monet’s Garden in Giverny
How much does Giverny cost?
For adults, the cost is €11 per person. Children over 7 and students are €6.50, while children under 7 are free. People with disabilities get reduced admission at a rate of €5.50.
Do I have to book tickets to Monet’s Garden in advance?
You don’t have to book in advance if you’re going during the week, but you should definitely book on weekends or bank holidays. You can get your tickets on the Fondation Claude Monet website, or book one of the tours (some with transportation) below.
Is Giverny open on Sundays?
The town of Giverny is open on Sundays as are Monet’s house and gardens. You can visit seven days a week from 9:30am to 6pm.
What months is Giverny open?
Giverny is open from end of March to November.
When do the water lilies bloom in Giverny?
Water lillies are in bloom from June to August, hitting their peak in July.
What is in bloom at Giverny every month
My grandfather was a horticulturist, so this garden would touch his heart. Here’s what in bloom every month at Monet’s garden:
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April: Daffodils, tulips and other spring bulbs, apple and cherry trees. There will also be some Wisteria in bloom.
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May: Spring flowers like tulips and forget-me-nots are in bloom. Later in the month, poppies, irises and peonies will bloom and you’ll be able to see the Wisteria still.
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June: Roses will be in bloom this month and the water lillies start peeking up.
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July: Annual flowers, including sunflowers and hollyhocks, will be in bloom and it’s the best month to see the water lilies.
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August: You can still see the lilies, but the dahlias and gladiolas will be in full bloom.
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September: Nasturtiums and dahlias will make an appearance. Sadly, the water lilies disappear at the start of the month.
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October: The weeping willows will turn from green to yellow/gold
Claude Monet Giverny & Water Lilies Facts
When did Monet move to Giverny?
He moved to Giverny in 1883.
Why did Claude Monet paint water lilies?
Impressionists painted the world around them. After he moved to Giverny, it was one of the annual delights of the garden.
How many paintings did Claude Monet create for his “water lilies” series?
Monet made a whopping 250 paintings of water lillies over the course of his life.
Where is Water Lilies by Claude Monet located?
You can find them in museums all over the world, but in Paris you’ll find them at the Musée Marmottan Monet, Musée D’Orsay, and Musée de L’Orangerie.
