One great thing about Paris is that it’s close to many fantastic destinations. Giverny day trip from Paris is doable if you’re in the city of light and want to see more art, history, and beautiful scenery.
Giverny, which is situated in the gorgeous region of Normandy, is notable in the history of art. It was there that Monet decided to spend his later years and design his magnificent garden.
Located around 80 kilometers (km) northwest of Paris, Giverny is easily reachable through a quick 45-minute rail ride from Paris St. Lazare. The highlight of Giverny is the famous Monet Foundation Garden, which served as the setting for many of the famous paintings by Claude Monet.
Related Read:
- Best Day Trips From Paris
- Best Weekend Trips From Paris
- Interesting Facts About Claude Monet
- Famous Paintings By Claude Monet
- Best Things To Do In Giverny
Claude Monet decided to move his family to Giverny in 1883 when he was 43 years old because he thought the location would improve the use of light and color in his artwork. He rented the Clos Normand, a “peasant house” that included a lovely vegetable garden and an orchard.
The house and adjacent garden were later purchased by Monet in 1890 as his financial condition improved. Until he died in 1926, Monet continued to improve and expand the house and its surroundings.
A highlight of any visit to Monet’s House and Garden is the Water Lily Pond. This is the exact location where Monet drew inspiration for his mesmerizing water lily paintings.
Another well-loved attraction is the Japanese bridge over the pond. But in addition to these well-known locations, Giverny has a lot more to offer such as the Impressionist Museum.
Giverny attracts tourists from all walks of life. The legendary Impressionist painter’s former home and studio are now open to visitors from all around the world.
The lovely and serene flower gardens are a popular destination for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you want to experience the atmosphere that served as Monet’s inspiration or you just want to take in the splendor of one of Normandy’s most charming villages, Giverny is a worthy addition to your Paris itinerary.
The following guide to Giverny will give you useful information for visiting Monet’s Garden, options for getting there, suggestions for the top things to do in Giverny, and some recommended Giverny tours.
Things you'll find in this article
Giverny Day Trip From Paris
Transport Options from Paris to Giverny
Given that Giverny is just 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the heart of Paris, it is convenient to get there for a day trip or even for an extended stay, making Monet’s garden the ideal place to visit.
Here are three transport options for you to get from Paris to Monet’s Garden in Giverny:
1. By Train
Taking a train in the SNCF network, France’s national railroad operator, which offers rail service all around the country, is one convenient option.
Although there is no direct train service from Paris to Giverny, you can take a train to Vernon instead, which is only 3 miles (5 km) away from Giverny. The Paris to Vernon train ride costs around €11.
There are numerous ways to travel to Giverny from the Vernon station, Gare de Vernon-Giverny. You can ride a seasonal shuttle bus (navette), take a taxi, get on a bicycle, and or walk.
The current fee for the shuttle is €5 each way or €10 for a round-trip ticket, and it leaves you off at the Giverny parking lot.
Use the ride-sharing service BlaBlaCar, which is available in the UK and other European nations. By entering your departure location, final destination, and date of travel, you can select drivers that are willing to take you from Paris to Giverny. This may cost around €25 and up.
While it might not be as common for non-tourists, this option can be more convenient compared to using the train. But be aware that until you find another ride-share option, you could have to take the train back to Paris.
3. By Car
Renting a car and driving is the easiest way to get from Paris to Giverny; it takes slightly over an hour. You can also see Vernon and the ruins of Chateau Gaillard if you leave early enough. The toll for the direct route via the A13 is about €19. On the other hand, if money is limited, you can choose a longer, toll-free route from Paris to Giverny.
Plan to leave early in the morning (about 8:00 or 9:00 am), arrive by 10:00 or 11:00 am, and remain until the early hours of the evening to get the most out of your vacation. You will have plenty of time to take advantage of everything the town has to offer.
Things To Do In Giverny
Giverny, a charming village around 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the center of Paris, occupies a special place in art history as the famous artist Claude Monet’s final home.
As soon as you enter this quaint village, you’ll be surrounded by the same vistas that once mesmerized the great impressionist.
Visiting Giverny offers a variety of things to do and places to see, and you can easily access them on a day trip.
1. Step inside Monet’s House and Studio
Monet’s house, which is being preserved by the Fondation Monet, has a cheerful atmosphere and a rainbow of colorful hues.
The interesting studio, where Monet entertained clients and friends for numerous hours, is decorated with replicas of his famous masterpieces.
Here, in the actual location where he once produced his masterpieces, you may learn more about Monet’s artistic journey.
Like the artist’s paintings, the home is a living canvas, and it exhibits the exquisite attention to detail for which Monet was renowned.
The ground floor gives visitors a peek inside the living areas and kitchen, giving them a close-up view of the artist’s daily life, while the upper floor features Monet and his wife Alice’s bedrooms.
2. Explore Monet’s Garden
Monet’s Garden, an amazing work of art made by the artist himself, is unquestionably the main draw of Giverny.
As a result of his passion for painting en plein air (outdoors), Monet set out to create an exquisite environment that would inspire both artists and visitors to create some of his most cherished impressionist works.
The Giverny Garden has two parts: the Clos Normand and the Water Garden.
Under Monet’s artistic guidance, the Clos Normand, which was once the house’s garden, underwent a dramatic metamorphosis.
At first, the garden was filled with cypress and spruce trees, as well as lovely flowerbeds.
Monet, however, altered the area to better suit his vision, creating a central road that is bordered by roses and nasturtiums and sprinkled with cherry and Japanese apricot trees. When in bloom, the earth itself transforms into a stunning tapestry of vibrant blooms, making it a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, Monet bought The Water Garden, which is located across the street from his home, ten years after he first arrived in Giverny. Monet committed himself to building a Japanese-inspired water garden that would become one of his most renowned works despite initial opposition from his wife and neighbors.
Visitors to this gorgeous water garden can wander across a charming Japanese bridge covered in wisteria, the focal point that served as Monet’s source of inspiration for more than two decades.
Many of Monet’s well-known works were inspired by these additional characteristics, which also include weeping willows, miniature bridges, and the well-known water lilies.
3. Visit Musée des Impressionnismes
Another must-see in Giverny, France, is the Musée des Impressionnismes, which is devoted to the artistic movement that Monet cofounded.
Two different types of exhibitions are held at the museum: transient displays and a permanent collection titled “On Claude Monet.”
The exhibition “On Claude Monet” explores Monet’s tremendous influence on both his contemporaries and succeeding generations of French artists and other artists worldwide. It follows the life of Japanese artist Reiji Hiramatsu, who went to Giverny to see Monet’s Garden in 1994.
Hiramatsu was inspired by Monet’s classic Water Lilies series because he was fascinated with his legacy.
As a monument to the great artist’s ongoing impact, the museum proudly exhibits Hiramatsu’s beautiful renditions of Monet’s Water Lilies.
4. Stop by Église Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny
Visit the Église Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny, a charming historic church, while you are strolling around Giverny. It also serves as Claude Monet and his family’s final resting place.
The family headstone is located in the little cemetery next to the church, third from the right, and is identified by a white cross on a tomb.
Notably, a somber memorial commemorating seven British airmen may also be found in the churchyard.
Tragically, the day after D-Day, their jet was shot down and fell close to the River Seine, killing every member of the crew.
Among the other older gravestones, their legacy is kept alive, serving as a moving reminder of the sacrifices made during World War II.
Guided Tours to Giverny
If you want to avoid throngs of people and lengthy waits to enter Giverny’s attractions, taking a guided tour can make your trip there much more enjoyable. You won’t have to wait because your guide will have arranged access to the main attractions near Giverny.
Here are three of the best group tours to Giverny, including some that also take you to other must-see destinations near Paris.
From Paris: Small-Group Giverny and Van Gogh’s Room in Auvers
This is a guided tour to Giverny that takes you through Monet’s estate and more. Discover the stunning splendor of Claude Monet’s Japanese Water and Clos Normand gardens in Giverny, where you’ll feel as though you’ve walked into one of his Impressionist works.
Explore the area between the willow trees and cross the lovely green bridge over the water lily pond. See the colorful interiors of the Monets’ house to acquire a unique perspective on the artist’s life and work.
After a spellbinding tour of Monet’s house and grounds, pay your respects to Claude Monet at his grave.
Continue your creative exploration by going to the town of Auvers-Sur-Oise and concentrating on Vincent Van Gogh’s turbulent life and distinctive Post-Impressionist works.
To book this tour click here.
From Paris: Giverny Audio-Guided Tour
Join an exciting tour that departs at 8:15 AM from a convenient meeting place and brings you to the lovely Norman village of Giverny.
This village was the inspiration for some of the great paintings that the master of the Impressionist movement, Claude Monet, produced there.
Learn more about Monet’s artistic journey when you visit his beautifully restored house and grounds. With the help of an audio guide, take in the vibrant hues and creative brilliance that adorn the two magnificent gardens.
To book this tour click here.
Giverny and Versailles Day Tour with Lunch at Moulin de Fourges
Your tour will begin at the meeting location in Paris and take you to Giverny, the place where Claude Monet painted some of the most stunning landscapes in history.
Wander through the gardens that inspired the “Father of Impressionism,” with the recognizable water lilies and the alluring Japanese bridge, which have been exquisitely re-created on canvas.
Enjoy a complimentary three-course lunch at the renowned Moulin de Fourges restaurant while reflecting on the sights you’ve seen.
Afterward, immerse yourself in the opulence of Versailles’ in the afternoon, where you’ll spend a few hours before heading back to Paris.
To book this tour click here.
Practical Tips
Giverny is a popular day trip from Paris, especially in the summer.
However, planning your trip for April or October during the shoulder seasons will help you avoid the crowds.
You can enjoy the gardens’ splendor in their prime since the house and gardens are open from the end of March to November 1.
Keep in mind to bring cash because there are no ATMs or exchange facilities in Giverny. Cash is also necessary for the shuttle fare if you must use it.
It’s wise to get your entrance tickets and rail tickets in advance if you intend to explore Giverny on your own. Choose a train that leaves early and try to avoid going on weekends to avoid crowds.
Since you’ll be walking a lot while exploring the gardens, you must wear comfortable walking shoes. Make sure your footwear can endure rocky terrain without aggravating your feet.
Beyond the gardens, the nearby hills provide a lovely location for excursions, rambles, and nature walks. You can further acquaint yourself with the area’s natural splendor by obtaining route maps from the Tourist Board or by visiting their website.
Giverny Opening Hours
Fondation Claude Monet
- Open Hours: Daily from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm, last entrance at 5.30 pm
- From April 1st to November 1st,
The Gardens
- Open Hours: Daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
- From April 1st through November 1st,
**Taking pictures is allowed in the garden, but you can only do so from the walkways. Picnics are also not allowed. Visitors can’t bring pets.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.