Things to do in Giverny
Welcome to Giverny
An idyllic day-trip destination just 44 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of Paris, the verdant village of Giverny is best known as the former home of Impressionist artist Claude Monet. Those familiar with his paintings, including The Japanese Footbridge and his Water Lilies series, will be delighted to view his real-life inspiration—and soak up the masterpiece-worthy gardens—at the Foundation Claude Monet. Afterwards, a companion visit to the Museum of Impressionism is another one of the top things to do in Giverny.
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When to visit
Thanks to Monet’s influence, Giverny is inextricably associated with the bounty of summer and blossoming gardens. Summer is indeed the most popular time to visit the verdant village, and tour buses can clog its narrow lanes during the heights of the season. While you may miss the water lilies at peak bloom, it’s worth visiting during the shoulder season—in March and April, as well as September and October—to discover Giverny’s more tranquil side.
Getting around
Giverny is small enough that it doesn’t have its own train station, though Vernon, located approximately 3 miles (5 kilometers) away, is the nearest stop and a shuttle connects the two during the summer high season. Giverny is included on many guided day-trip itineraries from Paris, which makes it more accessible to visit, while private car rentals are another way to explore.
Traveler tips
While Giverny is often equated with the Claude Monet Foundation, the Impressionist artist’s home isn’t the only thing to explore locally. After seeing his famous gardens, continue exploring by visiting the Museum of Impressionism, as well as local art galleries like the Gallery Claude Cambour, Galerie 60, and more. The area is also known for its scenic walking trails if you’d like to get out in nature.
People Also Ask
Yes, Giverny is worth visiting. It’s like stepping into one of the most famous paintings in the world. For anyone interested in art, history, gardens, or all three, Giverny is one of the best day trips to take from Paris.
...MoreOne word: Monet. You likely know what Giverny looks like, as it was immortalized in Monet’s series of Water Lilies paintings — he made a whopping 250 paintings of the lilies in Giverny. Monet lived in Giverny for 40-plus years, and his house and gardens are open to the public.
...MoreYou can explore Giverny in a day. It’s a small village with a few hundred inhabitants, and the main attraction is Monet’s house and gardens. It’s just over an hour by train from central Paris. If you can, visit the little village church, where Monet and his family are buried.
...MoreA guide at Giverny enhances the experience. They’re knowledgeable, and you’ll learn lots about the history of impressionism, the gardens, and Monet himself. In peak season it’s worth booking a guide in advance. Bus and minibus tours also run from Paris, which takes the hassle out of navigating the trains.
...MoreYes, you can do both, but book a tour. A tour cuts down on travel time when compared to public transit, and you’ll want a half day at each. Ideally, you’d visit them on consecutive days. Versailles, in particular, is so vast that it merits a full day.
...MoreYes, Giverny is an easy day trip from Paris. Many bus and minibus tours run from the city center (look for those with a guide and skip-the-line), and trains take an hour or so to Vernon-Giverny. If you’d prefer to stay the night, there are several quality hotels in the area.
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Number of Tours | 8 |
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