PARIS, FRANCE. Giverny is an ideal half-day trip from Paris. Numerous tour operators, including the Giverny tourist office, offer all-inclusive day trips to Giverny by bus or minibus. Some even combine the trip with Versailles to make it a full-day tour.
However, Giverny is actually quite easy to get to on your own by train. Moreover, given the fact that guided bus tours tend to start at 79+ Euros, getting there independently is much less expensive, too.
ide view of Monet’s house in Giverny | ROOSTERGNN
Getting there by train
Giverny itself doesn’t have a train station. The nearest train station is Vernon. Trains from Paris to Vernon depart at Gare Saint-Lazare. The schedule for trains is available at www.voyages-sncf.com (note: you can only check for tickets three months in advance).
A second-class ticket currently costs 14.30 Euros (one-way). The journey time is 49 minutes.
Once you arrive at Vernon, you can take a bus (8 Euros return trip) to Giverny. Buses depart 15 minutes after the arrival of trains. Another option is to rent one of the bikes at the two cafés right outside the station (7 km). You can also walk, which would take about an hour.
Seen on the way to Monet’s house | ROOSTERGNN
Claude Monet’s House and Gardens
Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, also known as the Fondation Monet, is the main attraction in Giverny. Monet settled here in 1883 and spent 40 years at this residence, where you can still visit his atelier.
Adult tickets are 9 Euros, student tickets are 5 Euros.
You can book them in advance online here.
Here are some images of what you can expect to see:
Atelier des Nympheas, Monet’s atelier | ROOSTERGNN
The view of the famous waterlilies | ROOSTERGNN
View of Monet’s garden | ROOSTERGNN
Don’t leave without…
While Giverny is known for the Fondation Monet, there is another museum worth visiting here: the Musée des Impressionnismes, or Museum of the Impressionists.
Turn left upon leaving Monet’s house, it will only take you about five minutes to get there.
Back in Paris
When you have arrived back in the capital, check out the Musée de l’Orangerie, the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan for more Impressionism.
Famous Japanese footbridge at Monet’s garden in Giverny | ROOSTERGNN
Tourists on the Japanese footbridge | ROOSTERGNN
Waterlilies in Giverny | ROOSTERGNN