9 Best Things To Do In Giverny, France

Are you looking for the best things to do in Giverny, France?

Giverny is located in the Orne department in the Normandy region of France, on the River Orne, 10 kilometers east of Vernon and 55 kilometers west of Le Mans. It is just about 80 kilometers outside of Paris, which makes it a popular option for a day trip from the French capital.

You will find Claude Monet’s famous gardens nestled away in this gorgeous beautiful French village. After all, it was his home from 1883 until his death in 1926. Giverny is famous for Monet’s landscape paintings and those of his friend Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s.

You’ve probably heard about these gardens already, and most likely you’ve seen the famous paintings of the gardens’ flowers and water lilies so many times it feels like you’ve already been there. But Monet’s famous gardens and paintings aren’t the only reasons why you should visit this enchanting French town near Paris.

9 Best Things To Do In Giverny, France

Without further ado, let’s jump into our list of the top things to do in Giverny, France.

1. Visit Monet’s gardens

The most popular sites in Giverney are mostly associated with Monet, so let’s start with the famous Giverny gardens seen in Monet’s paintings.

Whether or not you’re an art buff, the artist’s famous gardens in Giverny are a must-visit not only in this little town in Normandy but the whole France as well.

Every season allows different breathaking landscape because different flowers bloom during each season. However, if you’re so keen to see the famous water lilies come to life, visit Giverny in July and August. The gardens are absolutely at their most stunning during this time.

You will naturally want to see the house where Monet lived and worked for the last 43 of his life, but the real draw is in the gardens. Pictures you have taken of the gardens will look like miniature Monet paintings.

2. Linger at the Monet House Museum to better appreciate the Master Impressionist

The Monet House Museum is the perfect place to marvel at the greatness of the Master Impressionist himself. You will be amazed by the highlights and features of the Monet House Museum and get a chance to picture Money living here a long time ago. Here you can learn about his lifestyle and all the house’s early occupants.

This historically significant residence is one the must-see places in Giverny. Take time exploring the whole place to better appreciate Claude Monet and his genius.

The house and the gardens are run and preserved by an NGO called Fondation Claude Monet. Pre-book your tickets on their official website so you won’t have to queue whe. You get to the location.

To book this tour click here.

3. Head to the Museum of Impressionisms

Created in 2009, the Musée des Impressionnismes (Museum of Impressionisms) is just a couple of minutes away from the Fondation Claude Monet.

As the name suggests, the museum is dedicated to the Impressionist movement and features art pieces from famous Impressionist painters such as Monet himself.

Do not confuse this museum with Monet’s house. The Monet House Museum is adjacent famous to the famous gardens, located 200 meters to the east of the Musée des Impressionnismes.

The Musée des Impressionnismes is open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission fee is €3.50 for kids 7 to 11 years old, €5 for older kids (12 to 17 years old), and €7.50 for adults.

4. Explore the Church of Saint-Radegonde de Giverny

St. Radegonde was a Thuringian princess and a Frankish queen before she became the founder of the Abbey of the Holy Cross at Poitiers. The 16th-century church dedicated to her, located in Giverny, has impressive frescoes and statues. Here you will learn a great deal about her life.

St. Radegonde is the patron saint of many French and English churches. This one in Giverny is especially well worth a visit, which will allow you to appreciate not only the historic church, but to connect with your spiritual side and mingle with worshippers there for a sample of Giverny’s local culture.

You can sit in quiet reflection outside of the church or ask if you can join the next service if your itinerary permits. Giverny’s main street, Rue Claude Monet, will lead you directly to the church in around ten minutes. It is where Monet attended mass.

It’s free to wander around the Church of Saint-Radegonde, which is cool if you’re looking for free things to do in Giverny.

5. Pay respect to Monet’s grave

Right behind the Church of Saint-Radegonde, you will find a white marble structure with a cross on top. It’s the grave of the Monet family.

Paying respect to the resting place of one of the greatest painters to have ever walked the land is one of the best activities in Giverny. Claude Monet’s tomb is the one at the front.

6. Check out Ancien Hôtel Baudy

This famous hotel in Giverny is where artists the likes of Auguste Rodin and Paul Cézanne stayed to get near Monet during his lifetime. The hotel had become so famous that many legendary artists came and stayed there.

Today it still remains one of the best places to see in Giverny. You can still stop by the Ancien Hôtel Baudy and dine there as it is now a café and restaurant.

7. Visit the Musée de Mécanique Naturelle

Musée de Mécanique Naturelle is a very nice free museum to visit when you come to Giverny, whether or not you are mechanically inclined. Here you will see all sorts of antique machines, stationary engines, and other mechanical devices – from early generators to washing machines. Most of the stuff displayed here are restored to full functionality.

A visit to the Musée de Mécanique Naturelle is a great enhancement to your Monet-themed trip to this side of France. Admission doesn’t cost anything, so it’s another cool thing to do in Giverny for free.

8. Ride a hot air balloon

Here’s a chance to see the valley of the River Seine as you’ve never done before – and even Eiffel Tower and the city of Paris, if the winds allow it!

Check out Montgolfiere du Vexin which offers hot air balloon rides over the Giverny area in an old-school basket that can take up to just 4 passengers.

Depending on the direction of the winds, the hot air balloon will fly you to over the River Seine, Monet’s house and gardens, limestone cliffs, and local castles in the sprawling countryside. If the winds are favorable, you can even see the city of Paris and the Eiffel Tower aloft the balloon.

Flying old-style is a great experience, with the unparallelled views that will take your breath away. It’s one of the most exciting things to do in Giverny – highly-recommended!

9. Visit Vernon’s old mill and museum

Flocks of tourists visiting Giverny for their dose of Monet should as well visit the beautiful historic town of Vernon, also located on the banks of the River Seine. This is where you will pass through going to Giverny, so you may as well check it out on your way back.

Vernon houses a really impressive old mill and a fine arts museum where you can get more of Monet’s if those in Giverny feel not enough. The Musée Alphonse-Georges-Poulain showcases some really interesting pieces including a few of Monet’s lesser-known paintings.

Aside from that, when you visit the museum and pay the €4.50 admission fee, you will be supporting a worthy local institution as well as appreciate the town of Vernon’s influence on art.

Where to stay in Giverny, France

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