Amazing Day Trip To Giverny From Paris: Things To Do

Taking a day trip to Giverny is one of the most popular activities in Paris!

Escape the bustling streets of Paris and immerse yourself in the picturesque charm of Giverny, a small village nestled in the heart of the French countryside.

Renowned as the beloved home of the legendary Impressionist painter Claude Monet, Giverny offers visitors a captivating experience filled with vibrant gardens, dreamy landscapes, and a profound connection to art history.

In this blog post, I will tell you everything to play a delightful day trip to Giverny from Paris, unlocking the secrets of Monet’s world and indulging in the breathtaking sights that have inspired generations.

If you’re familiar with Monet’s work, know you can find his fantastic garden and iconic Japanese bridge from his “Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lillies” painting there. I promise you it’s just as impressive and beautiful to look at in real life!

---

Plan A Day Trip To Giverny From Paris

HOW TO GET TO GIVERNY FROM PARIS?

Buy A Tour To Giverny From Paris

Many tourism agencies offer a complete day trip to Giverny (not “Giverney”) if you don’t want to bother with the organisation and would like a more in-depth tour.

If you want to tour, I recommend you check GetYourGuide, as they offer plenty of packages with different activities, tour lengths, and prices.

There is also a half-day trip if you think one full day out in Giverny would be too long for you. You can check the availability down below!

---

Plan Your Day Trip To Giverny

You can also organise your day trip yourself; it’s pretty easy.
To get to Giverny from Paris, you must go to the train station at St Lazare and take a train to Vernon-Giverny. The journey is relatively short, only 50min.

You can buy your ticket directly at the train station or on the SNCF website, which I recommend checking for the lowest prices and hours. You can also get your information over at the TrainLine; it’s another website I really like to check for train information whenever I travel.

The train doesn’t arrive straight into Giverny. It comes in a small town called Vernon, hence the name of the station Vernon-Giverny.
From there on, you have three options to get to Giverny:

•  A shuttle for 10€ way around.
•  Small train for 8€
•  To walk – although that may take a little while!

Also, speaking about day trips, check out the best day trips from Paris! 

What To Pack On A Day Trip To Giverny

If you are planning your day trip to Giverny, you might wonder what you should pack. Here are my packing recommendations:

• Comfortable Walking Shoes: Giverny is best explored on foot, so wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
• Weather-Appropriate Clothing: Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Layers are a good idea as the weather can change throughout the day.
• Sun Protection: Bring sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun, especially if you plan to spend time in the gardens.
• Camera or Smartphone: Giverny is a photographer’s paradise, so don’t forget your camera or smartphone to capture the beauty of the gardens and village.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is essential, especially during the warmer months. A reusable water bottle will help you stay refreshed.
• Picnic Supplies: Consider packing a picnic lunch or snacks. There are lovely spots in the gardens to enjoy a meal. Don’t forget utensils, napkins, and a picnic blanket if desired.
• Cash and Cards: While many places in Giverny accept cards, having cash on hand for small purchases or places that may not accept cards is a good idea.
• Identification and Travel Documents: Carry your ID, passport, and necessary travel documents in a secure, waterproof bag.
• Reusable Shopping Bag: If you plan on buying souvenirs or local products, having a reusable shopping bag is eco-friendly and convenient.
• Umbrella or Rain Jacket: In case of unexpected rain, it’s a good idea to have a compact umbrella or a rain jacket with you.

Remember to pack light to carry your items throughout the day.

What To Do In Giverny In One Day

Giverny is a small village. There are, nonetheless, quite a few activities to fill up your day with enough to see.

Of course, the main attraction is Monet’s house with its fantastic luxurious garden. During a day trip to Giverny, you’ll have plenty of fun, I promise, and a day filled with creativity!

Visit Monet’s Garden & House

Monet’s house and garden are the prominent landmarks to check out in Giverny. After all, this made Giverny famous in the first place; you can’t visit Giverny without going to Monet’s House and Garden!

Monet lived in this house for 43 years, from 1883 to 1926.

Monet made this house to adjust to his family life and its work.
Everything you can see inside the house has been left from when Monet lived there. Throughout the visit, you can see his love for colours in the different rooms.

If you’re expecting to be able to take a good shot of yourself on the bridge with no one around, well, you’re dreaming unless you get fortunate.

Or very skilled with Photoshop, and I am neither, but that’s okay with me.

However, there are so many great spots around the garden, so if you want a nice shot for Instagram, don’t worry; you will get it.

There’s not a single moment where I’ve seen it empty; several people are always on it. Looking closely at the first photo, you can also see many people on the second bridge!

If you’re passionate about flowers, this is also an excellent place. I don’t know much about flowers, yet seeing so many flowers was still interesting.

---

Monet’s house is as quaint as you think it would be. It’s a charming little (well, not so little) house; however, as it is highly crowded during summertime and the holidays, you can quickly feel trapped inside it. Especially in the “art room”.

The paintings are delightful, but it was hard to enjoy them as it was so crowded.

Almost all of the rooms in the house are filled with art pieces and pretty much have a “theme colour” (as I mentioned above, his love for colours shows throughout the visit), making them unique and harmonious. It’s a pleasure to explore Monet’s house.

When I visited the exhibition going on was Monet’s Japonism series, and I love Japan, so it was an exciting exhibition and a tiny bonus for me.

About an hour later, it decreased by at least three times fewer people. This means we barely queued for 10min! Lucky!

The queue was insane around lunchtime, so we decided to explore more of Giverny and have a bite and drink before visiting Monet’s House and Garden.

Unless you get lucky, there’s every likelihood you will have to queue unless you buy advance tickets.

Ticket Price: 9€50
You can also buy advance tickets online for 13€ for adults and 8€50 for kids below 12 and students. It is free for kids under seven years old.

---

Giverny’s Museum Of Impressionist

The village of Giverny is also home to one museum dedicated to the Impressionist painters, including Monet and his art.

The exhibition changes almost every season, and it takes up to two hours to visit it in-depth.

If you wish to see the Museum and Monet’s house and garden, you can buy a ticket for both for 17€ (9,50€ for the house and garden and 7,50€ for the museum).

Additional museums you can visit in Paris about Monet are “L’orangerie” and Le musée d’Orsay. “L’orangerie” is in the 1er Arrondissement inside Le Jardin des Tuileries.

---

---

Also, the garden outside the museum is lush and stunning. It’s where you can find the landscape that inspired his famous haystack painting.

Hotel Baudy

Hotel Baudy has now transformed this former hotel into a café/restaurant that used to be a place filled with famous artists who would come to Giverny searching for inspiration.

You can admire a beautiful rose garden there, and it’s the perfect place to take a break and sip coffee or a fresh drink.

Take A Stroll Around Giverny Village And Graveyard

If you decide to wander in Giverny, the village is small yet super quaint with many arts, pretty houses and lovely architecture.

You can also find the church with the cemetery where Monet was buried a little further, a small quaint church with its graveyard right behind.

Check out the Art Galleries of Giverny

Giverny is home to many artists, past or present; you can find many art galleries filled with paintings, sculptures, and so much more! Creativity is all over the place!

I even found a painting of Altbator. Yes, Albator.
(It’s an old anime for those you don’t know.)

Of course, there are many more traditional art pieces, but that one was unexpected for me, so much so that I had. to take a photo.

Explore Vernon Before Going Back To Paris

Vernon is that cute small town you first arrive at if you go to Giverny on the train. It’s a nice visit to do on your from Giverny to Paris.

At the same time, people don’t think about visiting the Cathedral of Vernon. There is also an old mill, or “Le Vieux Moulins” in French, that is a place of interest to check out in Vernon.

My mum and I explored it for a bit before taking the train back to Paris, and it’s a charming place; there’s not much to do, but I think it’s still worth visiting if you have some extra time. Vernon Cathedral is lovely; you can find many wonky (or not) timbered houses.

Fun Facts About Monet And Giverny

By immersing yourself in these fascinating facts, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Giverny and Monet’s artistic journey as you plan your day trip to this enchanting destination.

• Monet’s Colorful Oasis: Giverny served as Claude Monet’s beloved retreat and was his home for over 40 years. The picturesque property features two main attractions: the Clos Normand, a flower garden bursting with vibrant colours, and the Water Garden, this iconic Japanese bridge and water lilies that inspired some of Monet’s most famous works, as I stated at the beginning of this post.
• Monet’s Water Lily Obsession: Monet’s fascination with water lilies led him to create a series of paintings depicting these beautiful aquatic plants. To further immerse himself in their beauty, Monet transformed a small pond in his garden into a haven of water lilies, serving as both his muse and a source of artistic inspiration. Make sure to add. a trip to “Le Musée de l’Ornagerie” in Paris to check out Monet’s water lilies painting.
• The Birthplace of Impressionism: Giverny played a pivotal role in the birth of the Impressionist movement. Monet’s innovative brushstrokes and desire to capture light and nature’s fleeting essence inspired fellow artists such as Renoir and Cézanne.
• Monet’s Famous Pink House: The vibrant pink house in Giverny, where Monet lived, is a striking sight. From the cheerful exterior to the carefully curated interior, the house reflects Monet’s artistic taste and provides a glimpse into his daily life. Visitors can explore his personal studio, walk through the rooms adorned with Japanese prints, and gain insight into the artist’s creative process.
• Giverny’s Influence on Monet’s Legacy: Monet’s time in Giverny was immensely influential in shaping his artistic legacy. His garden and the idyllic surroundings influenced his artistic vision and enabled him to create masterpieces that continue inspiring and captivating art lovers worldwide. Exploring Giverny allows you to witness firsthand the landscapes that sparked Monet’s imagination and understand the profound connection between the artist and his natural surroundings.

---

That’s a wrap on my one day Giverny itinerary with all you need to know and see!

It’s no wonder why a trip to Giverny is one of the best you can include when visiting Paris.

The best time to visit would be around Spring and Summer, although it gets quickly crowded, so I’d recommend avoiding visiting during the summer peak (July and August) if possible.

We often have a nice end of summer in September (Indian Summer) in France, so visiting around this time should be more likeable than at the season’s peak. Also, in spring, it’s the season when everything starts to bloom, so it’s perfect!

Did you enjoy this travel post? Please share it on Pinterest!
Paris Day Trip To Giverny: One Day Giverny Travel Guide

---

✈ Best Travel Ressources To Plan Your Next Trip

If you need help planning your next trip, don’t worry. I’ve got you covered! Here are my favourite websites and apps to plan a trip!

✈ How To Find Flights?

My favourite website for booking flights is Skyscanner; it is a good comparator for finding the cheapest flights.
Google Flight is also a good help when it comes to comparing flights.

✈ Where To Book Accommodations?

The best sites to book accommodations are Booking.com or Expedia. They both allow you to collect points for a discount; it’s worth comparing the two as they often have different pricing for the same hotels.

Another perk of Booking.com and Expedia is that you can sometimes get bundle deals for flights and accommodations, which can help you save a lot of money.

✈ Best Sites To Book Activities

My go-to website when I need to book an activity is GetYourGuide when I can’t get a ticket directly on the website or if it’s easier to go through them.
I always check if the price is the same, though, as the whole point is for it to be easier but not more expensive.

You can also check out Klook if you need to book more than just activities and would like to get everything from the same website—(i.e. transport cards, car rental, hotel…).

✈ Other helpful travel resources

– Radical Storage: If you need a place to keep your luggage for an extended period when you travel, I recommend using them. It was a great help when we needed a place to keep our luggage safely while we left the city for a few days.
– TheTrainline: If you love to travel by train like me, then TheTrainline needs to be your go-to website for train travel in Europe. It is very reliant and easy to use.

————————————————————————————————————-

Disclaimer: This resources box contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you book anything through my links at no additional cost. These links help me support the blog and generate more content. Happy travels!

Hey there! This post may contain affiliate links. It means I earn a bit of money if you purchase products through me, there is no extra cost to you and it helps me maintain this blog. Read more in my Privacy Policy