How to Visit Monet’s Gardens on A Day Trip from Giverny to Paris

Let’s escape the French capital and make a day trip to Giverny, one of the most beautiful places in France.

In just an hour and a half from Paris you will arrive at this small village located northwest of the City of Light. This hidden gem is famous for being Claude Monet’s home and the inspiration for many of his iconic paintings.

A day trip to Giverny from Paris is the perfect opportunity to explore the home of the Impressionist painter, visit his beautiful gardens and enjoy a day in the French countryside.

And best of all – for day trippers, getting to Giverny is easy!

Unlike a day trip to London from Paris or a trip to the Champagne region of France, day-tripping to Giverny from Paris is a breeze. There are several transportation options from the French capital, including public transportation and private day tours.

In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about day trips from Paris to Giverny – how to get there, things to do in the village, and why it’s one of my favorite day trips from Paris.

Where is Giverny?

Giverny is a village in the region of Normandy, located in the northwest of France, approximately 80km (50 miles) from Paris.

It is most famously known as the home of Impressionist painter Claude Monet who depicted its picturesque landscape in many of his works.

Is Giverny worth visiting?

Yes, Giverny is definitely worth visiting!

Not only can you explore the beautiful French countryside while traveling there from Paris, but once you arrive in Giverny, you have the opportunity to step into Monet’s world and stroll through his stunning gardens.

There are many things to do in Giverny including admiring the exquisite Water Lilies in Monet’s water garden, exploring the museum of Impressionism, and admiring the colorful flower beds.

You can also spend some time strolling around the village to admire its 11th-century church and visit art galleries featuring many of Monet’s famous works.

Monet’s Garden and House in Giverny

Monet’s house and gardens are the main attractions of Giverny. Monet lived in this house for 43 years, from 1883 until his death in 1926.

It was here that he created some of his most famous paintings.

Artworks like the Japanese Bridge, Water Lilies, and Haystacks were inspired by the house and gardens of Monet’s Giverny.

The house is full of vibrant colors, giving you a glimpse into the Impressionist painter’s life. You can explore Monet’s ground floor as well as the first floor and admire his art collection, including Japanese prints from his travels to Japan.

The house has been perfectly preserved, giving visitors a truly authentic experience.

When you visit the gardens of Giverny, you will be surrounded by a variety of colorful flowers and plants that inspired Monet’s works. The grounds include a large water garden with an orchard, a vegetable garden, and a pond full of beautiful water lilies.

The Clos Normand flower garden is particularly impressive, with its bright flower beds and trees.

Best Time to Visit Giverny

The best time to visit Giverny is from April to October, as this is when the gardens are in full bloom.

During the summer months, Giverny can be very busy and it is recommended to book a private tour or visit in the early morning before crowds arrive.

How to get to Giverny from Paris

There are several options for getting to Giverny from Paris: car, train, or private day trips.

Paris to Giverny day trip by car

Giverny is only about an hour and a half drive outside of Paris, so taking a day trip by car is a great option. You can either rent a car for the day or book a private tour that includes transport from Paris to Giverny.

Paris to Giverny by train + bus

The best way to get there is by taking the direct train from Paris to Vernon-Giverny. This is also the most convenient and affordable way of getting to Giverny from Paris. You can buy tickets on Omio or online via the official SNCF website.

Once you arrive at the station, you can take a shuttle bus to Monet’s home and gardens. The shuttle ride takes about 10 minutes and it is 5 euros for a one-way ticket. You can find the shuttle schedule and more information here.

Related: 8 Easy Day Trips from Paris (to other countries in Europe)

Book a Paris to Giverny tour

You can also take an air-conditioned coach day trip from Paris to Giverny, which includes a guided tour of the house and gardens.

There are a few different day tour operators offering day trips from Paris to Giverny and this is a great option for those who don’t have much time or would like to avoid the hassle of public transportation.

This half-day Giverny tour from Paris will give you all the insider knowledge about this beautiful place and, of course, plenty of opportunities to take fantastic photos.

You’ll be picked up from the center of Paris and transported in an air-conditioned van to Monet’s home and gardens, where you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this idyllic spot. Your expert guide will show you the highlights and tell you all about Monet’s life and the history of Giverny.

For a more personalized experience, you can book a private day trip with a driver-guide who will pick you up at your hotel in Paris and take you directly to Giverny.

And if you’re feeling sporty, you can even take a bike tour of Monet’s Gardens.

Things to do in Giverny

When you arrive in Giverny, the first stop is a visit to the Fondation Claude Monet (Monet Foundation) where you can explore this artist’s house, garden, and dining room. Here you will be able to see some of Monet’s famous works, including his water lily paintings.

The day trip also includes a visit to the Clos Normand flower garden and its colorful flower beds, full of roses, irises, and other blooms.

Other highlights include a visit to the Japanese bridge over the water lily pond and a wander around the village of Giverny.

Visit Monet’s House and Workshop

The star of the show in Giverny is Monet’s house and workshop.

You can explore the ground floor as well as the first floor, where you can admire his art collection, including Japanese prints from his travels to Japan. Have a seat in Monet’s “Blue Room” and take in the peaceful atmosphere of his home.

The house has been perfectly preserved, giving visitors a truly authentic experience.

You can also see Monet’s paint palette and some of his personal belongings, such as the straw hat that he would wear while painting in his garden.

Step into Monet’s Garden

The gardens of Giverny are truly breathtaking.

This large water garden is complete with an orchard, a vegetable garden, and a pond full of beautiful water lilies. The Clos Normand flower garden is particularly impressive, with its bright flower beds and trees.

Stroll through the daylily tunnel and you’ll be amazed by Monet’s favorite flowers in vivid colors. As you walk around the gardens, take your time to admire their beauty and imagine Monet as he wandered through the gardens, capturing their beauty with his brush.

This place is seriously like something straight out of a painting!

Visit Monet’s Water Lily Pond

Monet’s Water Lily Pond is one of his most famous works and a must-see for any visitor to Giverny. It’s the perfect spot to admire Monet’s impressionistic style and his use of light, color, and atmosphere.

This water lily pond is what inspired some of his most iconic paintings and its beauty will leave you speechless.

No day trip to Giverny is complete without a visit to this magical spot. Admiring the beautiful reflections on the water and taking in all the vibrant colors of the flower beds was one of my favorite things to do on my visit here.

It’s a great spot to just enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Monet’s home and gardens.

Other Giverny attractions

In addition to all this, there are plenty of other sights worth seeing in Giverny such as the Church of Saint-Rémi, the Museum of Impressionism, and the charming town center.

If you have time after your day trip, you can even stay the night in one of the local hotels and enjoy a peaceful stroll through the town center.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading my guide to the perfect day trip to Giverny from Paris.

Giverny is a must-visit day trip from Paris, no matter if you’re an art lover or simply looking for a peaceful day out in nature. The vibrant gardens full of colorful flowers and the tranquil atmosphere of Monet’s house and workshop offer a truly unique experience and provide a nice escape from Paris.

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