Giverny Day Trip from Paris – Monet’s Garden, Lunch in Vernon, & What I Would Do Differently -

Giverny happens to be one of those places in France that lives up to the hype… and that is not something I say lightly. The gardens that Claude Monet spent 43 years creating are even more incredible in person than they are in the paintings. It’s also one of the easiest day trips from Paris – just 1.5 hours by car or just over an hour by train from Paris Saint-Lazare. Whether you are spending a single day in the Norman countryside or using Giverny as the starting point for a longer trip through Normandy, it is a stop that belongs on every France itinerary. This guide covers everything you need to know to do it properly.

Don’t miss…

Why Giverny?

It’s no secret that Giverny is one of the most famous places in France – and it’s that way for a reason. Monet lived and painted here for 43 years, and the gardens he created over that time are more than just a tourist attraction… they are arguably his greatest work of art. The water lily pond, the Japanese bridge, the colors in the flower garden, it’s a place has that the ability to take your breath away. It almost feels like you’ve stepped right into one of his paintings.

When to Visit Giverny

Giverny is open April through November and closed in winter. We visited in April and arrived around noon and I will be honest – it was packed. Much more crowded than I expected for what is technically the shoulder season, which tells me that July and August must be genuinely overwhelming. Looking back, I would not go back at midday but instead right when it opens at 10am or later in the day around 3-4pm.

For the season itself, my recommendation is to visit in late April-early June or in the fall from September-October. The gardens are beautiful in these months – full of color, the water lilies are coming into bloom, and the crowds are still manageable. July and August will give you the most spectacular blooms but the experience of being there will be considerably less enjoyable with the heat and crowds.

How to Get to Giverny from Paris

Giverny is approximately 80-miles northwest of Paris and there are three main ways to get there…

By Car

I drove to Giverny and would recommend it for anyone who wants the most flexibility. The drive from Paris takes approximately 1.5 hours on the A13 motorway heading toward Rouen. It’s straightforward, well signed, and easy to navigate with GPS. Parking is available a short walk from the garden entrance and is free. Having a car also means you can stop in Vernon for lunch without any logistics, explore the surrounding Norman countryside if you have time, and leave whenever you want rather than working around a train schedule. If you need to rent a car, I recommend using Discover Cars.

By Train

Another easy option (yet less flexible) is to take the train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and trains run regularly throughout the day. From the Vernon station, Giverny is about 3 miles away and you can take a taxi, hop on the shuttle bus that runs during the garden season, or rent a bike from one of the shops near the station which is a fantastic way to arrive if the weather is good. Book your train tickets in advance through Omio, especially on weekends in season when they fill up quickly.

book your train ticket to giverny here

by private tour from paris

If you want a completely hassle-free experience with transport taken care of, a private day trip from Paris is a great option. There are several excellent Giverny day trip options that include round trip transport from Paris, skip-the-line access to the gardens, and often a guided tour of the house and grounds. Particularly worth considering if you are visiting during peak season when the gardens are at their busiest and you want to make the most of your time there. These are the following tours I recommend..

Monet’s House & Garden Private Walking Tour – This private tour is about 2 hours and includes entrance tickets and a private guide. This does not include transportation from Paris so it’s the perfect choice if you have your own transportation and you just want a guide.
Monet’s Garden & House Private Tour from P aris – This private tour is approximately 5-hours and includes entrance tickets, a private guide, plus transportation to and from Paris. It’s the perfect choice if you don’t want to deal with any hassle or stress of visiting.
Versailles Palace & Giverny Private Tour from Paris – This private tour is approximately 9 hours and includes Versailles + Giverny. You will get picked up and dropped off in Paris, plus visit Versailles with a private guide and Giverny with a private guide. It’s the perfect choice if you want to combine both attractions in one day.

Visiting Monet’s Home & Gardens

Monet’s garden in Giverny is one of those places that lives up to the hype. As I mentioned earlier, he lived and painted here for 43 years, and the garden was not just his home or his inspiration – it was arguably his greatest creation. Walking through it feels like stepping inside one of his paintings (which is both a cliché and completely true).

The garden is divided into two parts. The first is the Clos Normand – the flower garden directly in front of the house, bursting with color and so many flowers that it looks almost impossibly beautiful in full bloom. The second is the water garden, reached through a tunnel under the road, where you will find the famous Japanese bridge draped in wisteria and the lily pond that Monet painted hundreds of times in the last decades of his life. Both are extraordinary and you’ll want to spend time in each garden.

Monet’s house itself is included in your ticket and is definitely worth going inside. The home has been beautifully preserved and the interiors are a bit surprising with a yellow dining room, blue kitchen, and walls that are covered in Japanese prints.

Lunch in Vernon

You’ll pass through Vernon on the way to Giverny from Paris. It’s a charming Norman town on the banks of the Seine with a medieval tower, half-timbered houses, and a surprisingly good food scene that is completely removed from the tourist crowds in Giverny. If you are making a day of it, I highly recommend planning your lunch here rather than in Giverny – specifically at Blossom Bistrot.

What to Know Before You Go

A few things worth knowing before you make the trip that will make your visit significantly better…

Timing is everything – I visited in April at noon and it was packed. It was much more crowded than I expected for what is technically the shoulder season. I cannot imagine what July and August look like. If you can, arrive when the gates open in the morning or plan a late afternoon visit around 3-4pm when the crowds thin out considerably. For the best balance of blooms and manageable crowds, May, early June, September, and October are the sweet spots.
Book your tickets in advance – Giverny tends to sell out, particularly on weekends and throughout peak season. Do not show up without a ticket and assume you will get in. Book online before you go.
Plan your lunch in Vernon, not at the garden – There are a few cafés in Giverny but the food is average and the queues are long. Instead, drive the 10-minutes to Vernon and eat at Blossom Bistrot.

Giverny is beautiful, accessible, and completely worth it (as long as you go at the right time). An early morning in Monet’s garden, lunch at Blossom Bistrot in Vernon, and you are back in Paris by mid-afternoon with one of the best days of your trip behind you. Or use it as your entry point into Normandy – one of my favorite regions in all of France! Either way, just don’t go at noon.

For more day trips from Paris, don’t miss Chantilly

Planning a Trip to France?

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