Visiting Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny France is a spectacular day trip from Paris. These 8 best things to do in Giverny France will make your trip unforgettable.
Claude Monet, the famous Impressionist artist, lived in Giverny France from 1883 until he died in 1926. Monet’s flower garden called the “Clos Normand,” the tranquil water garden, and his famous Japanese bridge were sources of inspiration for many of his masterpieces. Years later, a walk through Claude Monet’s garden in Giverny France continues to be a magical and immersive experience.
If you wondering how much time to spend in Giverny, it warrants more than a half day, including travel time. Those who like a more relaxed pace and want to explore all the things to do in Giverny may want to stay overnight.
Here are all my best tips on what to do in Giverny France followed by Frequently Asked Questions about planning a trip to Giverny France.
8 Best Things To Do In Giverny
1. Marvel At The Water Lily Ponds
“It took me time to understand my water lilies. I had planted them for the pleasure of it; I grew them without ever thinking of painting them.”
Claude Monet
What to do in Giverny France? One of the most magical things to do in Giverny, and a highlight of any visit, is to stroll by the water lily ponds. The water lily ponds are found in the Water Garden section of Monet’s estate. Claude Monet’s ponds are teeming with water lilies at various stages of bloom. They are a mosaic of colours and reflect Monet’s love of nature and his fascination with Japanese culture and art. He created his Asian-inspired garden to include water lily ponds, bamboo, ginkgo trees, and Japanese peonies.
Monet’s garden saw the addition of a Japanese-style footbridge in 1899. This Japanese bridge appears in seventeen of Claude Monet’s paintings and is still there today.
The natural beauty and serenity found in Claude Monet’s garden are portrayed in his 250 oil canvases of Les Nymphéas (Water Lilies).
As a gift to France at the end of WWI, Claude Monet offered a “monument to Peace” in the form of enormous water lily paintings. These gigantic Les Nymphéas hang in two oval rooms in the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris.
Monet’s Water Lilies canvasses were created in the last thirty years of his life. They hang in museums all over the world, emanating a sense of calm and immersing the observer in nature through his magical use of light and portrayal of water and reflection.
Read More: Another artist completely inspired by the landscapes of France was Vincent Van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise. Here is a fabulous list of other day trips from Paris.
2. Be Impressed By A Riot Of Colour
One of the best things to do in Giverny is to pause and admire the amazing riot of colour in the garden. Claude Monet’s “Clos Normand” garden is made of rectangular garden beds where flowers of singular colour bloom in unison. Meander along the pathways and admire the magnificent colours.
Oriental poppies, peonies, dahlias, and roses bloom amongst cherry and Japanese apricot trees. Claude Monet’s garden is a veritable artist’s palette.
Read More: Honfleur, France: An Authentic Taste of Normandy
3. Tour Monet’s Home In Giverny France
Visiting Monet’s house is one of the essential things to do in Giverny. Stroll through Monet’s sprawling country home where he lived for over 40 years with his companion, Alice Hoschede.
Canvasses line the walls of the salon and the kitchen is magnificent, lined in blue tiles from Rouen.
The yellow dining room holds gorgeous blue and white earthenware and a collection of Japanese prints. Can you imagine Monet and his friends gathering around the table in this cheerful room?
Read More: Visiting Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy
4. Find The Haystacks In Monet’s Garden
One of the more hidden things to do in Giverny is to find the field of apple trees, weighed down by their bounty, and golden mounds of haystacks. This orchard is found on the far side of Monet’s house.
The haystacks themselves are eye-catching. Whoever sees hay bales like this anymore? Stepping into this field is like stepping into a portal. Straight back to 1890-1891 when Claude Monet painted 30 paintings of haystacks entitled, The Stacks at Giverny or the original French name, Les Meules à Giverny.
In his series of haystack paintings, Monet was compelled to capture the nuances of light at different times of the day and throughout the seasons. The results, of course, are magnificent. Standing before these haystacks was one of my favourite things to do in Giverny.
The largest collections of Monet’s Les Meules à Giverny can be found in the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée Marmottan-Monet.
Read More: The Magnificent Soaring Cliffs of Etretat
5. Visit The Museum Of Impressionism Giverny France
The Musée Giverny Impressionism, dedicated to Impressionism, is another one of the top things to do in Giverny.
The Musée des Impressionnismes displays both temporary exhibitions and the permanent collection entitled “On Claude Monet.” This exhibition examines Monet’s influence on his contemporaries and future generations of artists in France and abroad.
Japanese artist Reiji Hiramatsu visited Monet’s garden at Giverny France in 1994 and became inspired by Claude Monet. A selection of his stunning reinterpretations of Claude Monet’s Water Lilies is displayed at the museum.
Address: 99 rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France
Temporary Exhibits 2024: “Impressionism and the Sea” from March 29, 2024, to June 30, 2024
Opening Dates 2024: March 29, 2024, to November 3, 2024; Closed December 25 and January 1 and Friday, September 13, 2024.
Opening Hours 2024: 10 AM to 6 PM
Free Entry on the first Sunday of the following months: April, May, June, October, November
Cost To Enter: 12€
Where To Buy Tickets: Tickets can be purchased right at the museum and online (the tickets are slightly higher due to processing fees).
Combined Entry Tickets 2024:
- Museum Of Impressionism + House and Gardens of Claude Monet – Cost: 23€
- Museum Of Impressionism + Musée de Vernon – Cost: 14.50€
Read More: How To Spend the Perfect Day in Bayeux France
6. Stroll The Main Street
When you are planning out what to see in Giverny, leave time to wander through the delightful village of Giverny France. The town of Giverny is full of galleries, gift shops, and restaurants and is the perfect place to flâner.
Where to eat in Giverny? Stop for a drink or meal at Restaurant Baudy where artists like Paul Cézanne and Auguste Renoir used to gather. Le Jardin des Plumes offers a chance to eat at a Michelin-starred restaurant on this perfect day trip from Paris to Giverny France! Or simply stop and enjoy a galette in the garden at La Capucine-Bistrot and Cantine. Enjoying a lovely meal is one of the memorable things to do in Giverny!
Read More: How To Eat Oysters Like The French
7. The Little Church
One of the most moving things to do in Giverny is to visit the village Church of Sainte Radegonde. It is found at the end of the main road, rue Claude Monet, that runs through Giverny France. A historical monument, the Church of Saint-Radegonde is Roman in style and has an ancient part that dates back to the 11th century. Wander through the cemetery and find the beautiful final resting place of Claude Monet.
8. Places To Visit Near Giverny
This part of northern France is a delight to explore!
Just a 15-minute drive from Giverny is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France. Les Plus Beaux Villages de France never disappoint. In La Roche-Guyon, the towering dungeon from the 12th century is impressive. Don’t miss the troglodyte chapels!
A 25-minute drive from Giverny is Les Andelys. With its imposing ruin of a castle (Château Gaillard) perched over the Seine River, it makes for a historical stop on a road trip through Normandy. It was built in 1196 by Richard the Lion Heart, Duke of Normandy and King of England.
Renting a car in France? RESERVE MY CAR HERE
I hope you love these 8 things to do in Giverny France as much as I did!
Giverny France: FAQ
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Giverny France:
1. Where Is Giverny France?
Giverny is a village found 46 miles (75 km) west of Paris and 2.4 miles (4 km) east of the town of Vernon. Giverny is nestled in the picturesque countryside of Normandy, France. Claude Monet, passing by on a train, was struck by the natural beauty of the landscape. The rest is history…
Read More: 19 Wonderful Things To Do in Normandy France
2. How Far Is Giverny From Paris?
Giverny France, 75 km (46 miles) is halfway between Paris and Rouen. The distance from Paris makes a Giverny day trip easily attainable.
3. Is Giverny Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Visiting Giverny France, particularly Monet’s lovely gardens and water lily pond, is unquestionably worth it for several reasons. Seeing the landscapes that inspired Monet’s masterpieces firsthand is inspiring for artists and creative souls. The gardens themselves are stunning. And visiting Monet’s home is historically interesting giving a glimpse into the life and times of one of the most influential artists of the late 19th century and early 20th century. One of the delightful things to do in Giverny is explore the small village.
4. How Do I Get To Monet’s Garden In Giverny France?
By Train From Paris To Giverny France
From Paris, take the train from Gare Saint Lazare to Gare de Vernon, which is 6.5km (4 miles) from Giverny France. It is a 55-minute train journey on a direct trip. Check schedules here.
BOOK My TRAIN TICKETS to Giverny
Pro Travel Tip: All trains heading to Normandy leave from Gare Saint Lazare.
Shuttle From Gare De Vernon To Monet’s Garden
The shuttle leaves the train station, Gare de Vernon, 15 minutes after the train’s arrival. Buy your ticket onboard. Here is the schedule. Click on “Navette Giverny” for a look at the times.
If you are going to Monet’s garden in the afternoon, note the shuttle’s final return time from Giverny back to the train station.
Cost: 10€ return trip
Cycle To Monet’s Garden At Giverny France
Directly across from the train station, Gare de Vernon, are bicycle rental shops. You are in the gorgeous countryside of Normandy and the 4 mile (6.5 km) bike ride to Giverny might be just what you are looking for.
Taxi To Monet’s Garden From Vernon Train Station
You will find several taxis waiting outside the Vernon Train station. The Vernon to Giverny fare is approximately 20€.
By Car From Paris To Giverny France
Leave Paris at Pont de Saint-Cloud and take Highway A13 towards Rouen. Stay on the Highway until exit 14 (Bonnières) or exit 16 (Douains). Follow the Vernon and Giverny road signs.
Organized Tours To Giverny France: This half-day tour and skip the line is a good option as is this small group tour. Monet’s garden bike tour from Paris is a popular tour.
If you want to combine a day trip to Monet’s garden these guided tours will be of interest: Giverny and Versailles combined tour, Monet’s garden and Van Gogh’s room in Auvers, or a trip that combines Giverny and Rouen.
Read More: How To Visit the D-Day Beaches in Normandy France
5. What Are The Opening Hours Of French Painter Monet’s Garden?
Opening Hours in 2024: Monet’s Giverny is open every day from March 29, 2024, to November 1st, 2024 from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.
Please note the site is closed during the winter months
Monet’s Garden Tickets: Use the website of the Claude Monet Foundation (Fondation Monet in Giverny) to make your online booking. Tickets are available at the door but it is highly recommended to purchase your tickets in advance. The tickets to Monet’s gardens and home are available for a certain date and time slot.
Ticket Cost: 13€ per adult to visit Monet’s gardens and house.
Pro Travel Tip: You can purchase a combined ticket to Monet’s Garden and Home and the Musée des Impressionismes.
6. Where Can I Stay In Giverny, France?
“Can I stay in Giverny France?” is a common question. One of the most popular day trips from Paris, some people may want to linger in Giverny and explore places nearby in northern France. There are several quaint places to stay in Giverny just steps from the gardens of Claude Monet. The tranquil La Dime de Giverny gets great reviews as well as A L’Ombre de Tilleul.
7. When Is The Best Time To Visit Giverny France?
Giverny France is an extremely popular destination for tourists and artists. During the summer months, you can expect a Giverny visit to be very crowded. Try to plan a visit in the early spring or fall and try to avoid weekends.
I visited the Monet Garden in August. It was a spectacle of blooms and colour. The Monet Foundation’s website (Fondation Claude Monet) lists the flowers that are in bloom each month.
One of the amazing things to see in Giverny, is the care and love that is put into maintaining Monet’s garden. The results are a veritable feast for the senses and a magnificent artist’s palette as Monet would have planned it.
8. Where Can I See Claude Monet’s Artwork In Paris?
Standing before Claude Monet’s works is always inspiring. Find Monet’s Water Lilies and other masterpieces in Paris at the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Musée Marmottan Monet.
Until next time,
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