Planning a day trip to Giverny? Come and discover the artistic, cultural, historical and botanical heritage of this magical place just a few kilometers from Paris!
Its enchanting gardens, its Impressionist heritage, its special relationship with Claude Monet, its charming houses with wrought-iron gates… The Village des Peintres amidst its surrounding hills has a lot to offer!
In this article, we propose 3 itineraries to visit Giverny in 1 day, and additional ideas to suit your desires, budget and time! You’ll find plenty of photos and options to choose from.
This review is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
The best things to do in Giverny
You’ll find our suggested itinerary hour by hour, but here’s a short video to show you the beauty and variety of things to see in the famous village of Giverny.
Practical tips for spending a day at Giverny
How to get to Giverny
Take an unforgettable trip along the Impressionist Trail in Normandy. Discover our tips to help you make the most of your trip to Giverny – it’s definitely worth it! To get there, you can:
- opt for an organized tour from Paris to Giverny: in our opinion, this is the best solution, as you’ll be taken care of and won’t have to worry about the journey or parking, so you can enjoy your activities to the full! Discover the list of the best excursions here.
- To get to Giverny by car: from Paris, take the A13 freeway. It’s free only up to Mantes-la-Jolie, and then you have to pay. Depending on traffic, the journey takes between 1h and 1h30. There are plenty of parking spaces in the village. Our tips for renting a car before visiting Giverny.
- take public transport: this can be envisaged, with a few points of attention, as the 1h30 train journey from Paris-Saint-Lazare station is not direct. You must then take a shuttle bus from Vernon to Giverny for 30 to 40 minutes. It’s worth mentioning that you’ll be dependent on these means of transport to get around, as there are few other options on site.
Avoid high season
Giverny is a highly sought-after village, with almost 630,000 visitors expected by 2022, according to the Claude Monet Foundation. This can be particularly busy during the peak season from June to September. You can sometimes face queues to visit Claude Monet’s famous House and Gardens, which can detract from the overall experience. To avoid queuing on the day of your visit, book your ticket now on the official website here, or opt for a tour from Paris:
- with guide in limited circle – see details, availability and booking,
- with private excursion from Paris – see details, availability and booking,
- by bus and bike to Giverny from Paris – see details, availability and bookings,
- or for an on-site guided tour – see details, availability and booking.
When to visit: follow the flowering season to admire the gardens
Take full advantage of the beauty of the flowers in the Jardin de Giverny, open from April 1 to November 1, if you plan your visit during the flowering season. It generally takes place in May, sometimes straddling June, depending on the year. This is when the gardens come to life with an explosion of dazzling colors, and when we can witness Claude Monet’s other great work, his passion for his garden. In fact, a wide variety of flowers can withstand the sun and remain in bloom all summer long, producing beautiful flower beds even in September!
VISIT Giverny
Our favorite tours and visits:
- From Paris: Small-group guided tour
- From Paris: Private tour
- From Paris: Tour by bus, then by bike
- On site: Guided tour of the gardens
Our articles:
Anticipating bookings
Visiting Giverny comes at a price, and some excursions, accommodation and restaurants can seem expensive, especially in high season. We recommend that you book your activities and accommodation as early as possible, and invite you to discover the best hotels in and around Giverny.
Bring comfortable clothes and shoes, depending on the weather
As in many parts of France, and particularly in Normandy where the weather can be fine several times a day, weather conditions in Giverny can be unpredictable. On the same day, you can witness rain, clouds and sunshine, all of which can affect your visit to the gardens. You can be sure that the dazzling sight of this unrivalled floral spectacle will be worth the wait under the raindrops!
Map of the main things to see in Giverny
Accommodation in Giverny
WHERE TO STAY IN Giverny
Option 1: in the village
Giverny, famous for its gardens and the Village des Peintres, is a magical place… We recommend..:
- Pluie de Roses establishment in a 6000 m2 park with veranda – see prices, photos and availability.
- Hotel La Musardière, charming 3-star establishment in the heart of Giverny – see prices, photos and availability.
- B&B Le Clos Fleuri with cosy rooms, shared lounge and terrace – see details, availability and booking.
- Madame Baudy’s 19th-century house, where painters have stayed – see details, availability and bookings.
Option 2: around Giverny
The medieval town of Vernon is just a 10-minute drive from Giverny. We recommend..:
- Hotel Normandy traditional 19th-century establishment – see prices, photos and availability.
- Maison Anne face to park B&B with garden view – see prices, photos and availability.
Option 1 – Giverny in 1 day
You only have one day to discover the essentials of Giverny? It’s off for a day focused on the must-sees of this famous Painters’ Village!
10am-12pm: The Gardens and House of Claude Monet
The must-see in Giverny is, of course, the home of the painter and gardener behind the Bassin aux Nymphéas, one of the founders of the Impressionist movement. Start your day with a visit to Claude Monet’s House and Gardens, for less crowds. If you start with the pink-rendered house with the green shutters, you’ll probably queue a little less than you would in the middle of the day.
When we entered the 1st room of his house, his artwork, furniture and carpets were all still perfectly preserved. It’s quite striking to soak up this atmosphere, where you can feel the artist’s effervescence and inspiration. It’s all in the details. Don’t forget to take a look at his collection of Japanese prints, displayed in several rooms of the house.
The house and gardens of this illustrious painter and gardener, where he lived for 43 years with his family, are well worth a visit! You’ll see nearly a hundred different plant species, including flowers, trees and plants! Claude Monet would often repeat, “I don’t need a studio, my studio is the open air”. He has turned his home into a living work of art.
Read our article dedicated to Claude Monet’s House and Gardens.
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12h30-14h: Lunch at the Restaurant Salon de thé Les Nymphéas
It’s lunchtime already! Surrounded by climbing plants and colorful flowers, head for the Les Nymphéas Restaurant and Tearoom. It is located opposite the entrances and exits to Claude Monet’s House and Gardens.
On the flower-filled terrace or in the cosy interior, you can refresh yourself with hot or cold drinks, wines, beers and aperitifs. The menu features gourmet salads, starters and hot dishes. Still a little room for dessert? The chocolate fondant with whipped cream is a real delight. You’ll also have a choice of ice cream sundaes and the famous tartes normandes or tatin. Les Nymphéas even offers a children’s menu that’s sure to please even the youngest guests!
Find the 12 best restaurants to eat in Giverny.
2:30-4pm: Visit the Musée des Impressionnismes
2 steps from the restaurant, explore the Musée des Impressionnismes. Dedicated to the artistic movement of which Claude Monet was one of the masters, this Giverny museum celebrates the alliance between modernity, the outdoors and vivid colors. the building’s contemporary architecture and remarkable gardens transport you into the world of French and American Impressionists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Mary Cassatt and Henri Martin. Here you can admire Henri Martin’s early 20th-century Étude pour l’été, an oil on canvas on display at the museum.
In the garden surrounding this place of art and history, you’ll see the magnificent field of poppies that inspired Claude Monet to paint Champs de coquelicots à Giverny at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen.
Find out more in our article dedicated to the Musée des Impressionnismes in Giverny.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
4.00 – 4.30 pm: Stroll down Rue Claude Monet
Rue Claude Monet is the main alley in the village of Giverny. Pedestrians and cyclists are welcome. Only village residents are allowed to drive there. It’s a lovely walk, especially in fine weather!
You’ll see that the pretty old houses, some with red or beige bricks, follow one another along this pretty flower-lined alley. Stores and restaurants are also located on this main avenue, so you’ll have plenty to choose from!
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
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4:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Discover the Church of Sainte-Radegonde
To the west of the village, just a few minutes’ walk from Claude Monet’s House and Garden, you’ll reach Giverny’s Church of Sainte-Radegonde. Built in the Romanesque style, the oldest part of the building dates back to the Middle Ages. It has been listed as a historic monument for 15 years, for a number of reasons.
Inside, you’ll find a remarkable array of furnishings, including stone statues, wooden statues and wall paintings. Take time to admire the original architecture, with its octagonal turret and pointed roof, and the octagonal spire between the nave and choir.
Up the stone steps outside, you’ll find the adjoining cemetery where Claude Monet and his family are buried, as well as the 7 British airmen who fell at Giverny on June 8, 1944 during the Normandy landings.
Discover our 8 ideas for things to do in Giverny!
17:30-18:30: A nightcap in the village
Push open the wrought-iron gates of the pretty establishments on Rue Claude Monet or stroll through the narrow streets of Giverny. You’ll find a pleasant spot for a nightcap. Here are some suggestions:
- Restaurant La Parenthèse: for a bucolic break overlooking the hills of Giverny,
- Restaurant Baudy: transport yourself back to the Belle Époque in this former grocery store,
- Restaurant Au Coin du Pain’ tre: on its pretty, shady, flower-filled terrace.
VISIT Giverny
Our favorite tours and visits:
- From Paris: Small-group guided tour
- From Paris: Private tour
- From Paris: Tour by bus, then by bike
- On site: Guided tour of the gardens
Our articles:
Option 2 – 1 day in Giverny: from the Middle Ages to the Belle Époque
Giverny and the surrounding area are rich in historical heritage. From the Middle Ages to the Belle Époque, we invite you to discover the places of interest that have shaped the Village des Peintres and its history. Let’s go!
9h-9h30: Sainte-Radegonde church and cemetery
This Romanesque church dates back to the Middle Ages. Listed as a historic monument, it is home to many must-see works of art, including stone and wooden statues and wall paintings.
Did you know that the cemetery adjacent to Giverny’s Église Sainte-Radegonde is home to the graves of Claude Monet and his family? The village’s inhabitants are also buried here, as are the 7 British airmen who fell at Giverny on June 8, 1944 during the Normandy landings.
9:30-11:30: The Gardens and House of Claude Monet
The world-famous Jardins de Claude Monet are a must-see at least once in your life. The Impressionist painter’s ambition: to have a colorful garden all year round. In fact, you’ll see on site that the artist cared for them like the apple of his eye, as the flowers were his true source of inspiration for his works.
The painter-gardener conceived his garden as a canvas, combining colors, shapes, textures and varieties of flowers and plants to bring it to life. You’ll be captivated by the beauty everywhere you look.
You’ll discover many varieties of flowers, plants and trees in this floral paradise. Dahlia, daffodil, rose, water lily, calendula, carnation, gladiolus, nasturtium… 64 different kinds of flowers are planted throughout the year in this wonderful place. Can you recognize them?
Below, you can admire the famous water lily pond in the Water Garden, which gave its name to Claude Monet’s monumental work. Experience an enchanting journey into the artist’s dreams!
More information on visiting Giverny.
11:30am-12:30pm: Exploring the Musée des Impressionnismes
Then visit the Musée des Impressionnismes, dedicated to the Impressionist movement and its aftermath. Stroll between masterpieces by Mary Cassatt, Auguste Renoir and, of course, Claude Monet. In this impressionist temple, think of art as a new way of expressing yourself during the Belle Époque, with its abundance of artistic achievements.
Then stroll through the paths of the museum’s superb garden, which inspired Claude Monet and many others, with its poetic field of poppies and white water garden.
Read our article dedicated to the Musée des Impressionnismes in Giverny.
12:45pm-2:15pm: Gourmet break at the former Hôtel Baudy, its restaurant and 19th-century art studio
Did you know that this former hotel was a famous stopover for many French and American painters? The Belle Époque, a period of social, economic, technological and political progress, stretched from the end of the 19th century to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. During this period of peace, a succession of inventions profoundly altered our way of life.
Today considered a real source of inspiration for art lovers and professionals alike, the former Hôtel Baudy is a haven for artists, with a number of paintings on display inside. Many great names in the world of art have frequented this former grocery store, including Paul Cézanne, Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Auguste Rodin and Mary Cassatt during Claude Monet’s time.
Enjoy the restaurant of the former Hôtel Baudy, listed among our best places to eat in Giverny, with its charming tea room, terrace and wooded park. If you’d like to spend one or more nights here, you’ll also find that the site is adjacent to the lovely guest house La Maison de Madame Baudy.
You’ll also have the chance to visit an authentic period art studio in the garden dating back to 1887! The light streaming through the glass roof provides perfect conditions for working in a variety of artistic styles. By the end of the 19th century, art was evolving into a form of freedom, and artistic currents were coming together and overlapping.
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
2:30 – 3:30 pm: Stroll through the medieval town of Vernon
Just a 10-minute drive from Giverny, visit the historic heart of Vernon. Stroll through cobbled streets and half-timbered houses.
Take time to visit the Eglise Collégiale Notre-Dame de Vernon. At the crossroads of several styles of medieval religious architecture, including Romanesque, late Radiant Gothic, Flamboyant Gothic, late Gothic, Renaissance and Norman Gothic, this building boasts numerous details and moldings on its façade. Inside, medieval and Renaissance glasswork illuminates the nave, along with a series of abstract modern stained glass windows created in the 1980s by theHermet-Juteau studio.
Then head for the Musée de Vernon, housed in the former mansion of the Le Moine de Bellisle family, who lived there for 3 centuries.
The tour is organized around Impressionism. You’ll also see paintings by Claude Monet and many other artists who lived in Giverny, including Theodore Earl Butler, Blanche Hoschedé-Monet and Theodore Robinson.
4.30pm-6pm: Visit the Domaine and Château d’Harcourt
About an hour’s drive from Vernon, head for one of the region’s medieval fortresses, whose origins date back to the birth of Normandy. The Domaine d’Harcourt will seduce you with its medieval architecture, dating from the 12th and 14th centuries. A permanent exhibition explains the building, its history and that of the Harcourts, one of France’s oldest families. A superb arboretum, established in the early 19th century and considered the oldest in France, will delight your children! If you’re a keen walker, the park is particularly pleasant.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Option 3 – 1 day in Claude Monet’s Giverny
Would you like to spend a day following in the footsteps of the famous painter and gardener Claude Monet? Explore his village, the places he liked to walk and the surroundings he enjoyed. Let’s follow in Claude Monet’s footsteps!
9:30am-11am: The House and Gardens of Claude Monet
Claude Monet’s house and gardens are a work of art in themselves. The painter and gardener lived there for over 4 decades with his blended family. This family cocoon is also the artist’s studio, and you’ll feel it as soon as you enter the 1st room of Le Clos Normand.
After wandering upstairs to the bedrooms, you’ll arrive in the magnificent flamboyant yellow dining room, home to a large part of Claude Monet’s Japanese print collection. We spotted a few equally scattered around different rooms and down the stairs.
As the rooms are laid out in rows, the tour of the house ends with the kitchen, covered in blue and white Rouen earthenware tiles. Colors and materials that stand out against the metal of the stove and the copper of the utensils! The kitchen was a very important part of the artist’s home, and demands your full attention during the visit. Beyond the resplendent colors of these luminous rooms, many decorative objects are on display.
You then head out into the gardens, Claude Monet’s open-air studio. Imagine the artist inspired by the beauty of this botanical ballet, dictating the movements of his brush on canvas.
Discover our article dedicated to Claude Monet’s House and Gardens.
11am-12pm: Garden of the Musée des Impressionnismes
Did you know that the garden of the Musée des Impressionnismes inspired many of the movement’s artists? The beauty of its flowers and poppy fields inspired Claude Monet to paint Champs de coquelicots à Giverny at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Rouen, as well as his Jardin blanc et d’eau! The artist regularly went there to work on new canvases. Admission to the museum garden is free and open to all.
12:15pm-2pm: Gourmet break at the former Hôtel Baudy, its restaurant and 19th-century art studio
Did you know that this former hotel was a famous stopover for many French and American painters? Just imagine Paul Cézanne, Auguste Renoir, Alfred Sisley, Auguste Rodin, Mary Cassatt, Berthe Morisot and Claude Monet sitting around the table in this former grocery store. During the Belle Époque, art evolved in a freewheeling manner, and artistic currents coexisted and overlapped.
Inside, you’ll see some of the paintings that adorn the walls of the former Hôtel Baudy.
Take a lunch break at the restaurant listed among our best places to eat in Giverny, with its tree-lined terrace.
Finally, after your meal, take time to visit the authentic period art studio in the garden, dating back to the late 19th century! The light streaming through the glass roof provides perfect conditions for working in a variety of artistic styles.
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Alternative 1 – Afternoon in the footsteps of C. Monet at Vétheuil
Did you know that before settling in Giverny, Claude Monet lived in Vétheuil?
He painted some 180 canvases there, including La Seine à Vétheuil (The Seine at Vétheuil ) at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, painted between 1879 and 1880.
Just a 20-minute drive from the Village des Peintres, step back in time and follow in Claude Monet’s footsteps as you explore the village’s paths in search of clues. For around 2 hours, you’ll discover why the artist chose this place before settling in Giverny, and what his daily life was like. Your children will be delighted to play detective and leave with an Impressionist booklet.
This activity is offered as part of the activities of the “Les Guides du Vexin français” association, in collaboration with the Parc naturel régional du Vexin français. More information on the official website here.
Alternative 2 – Afternoon crossing of the Seine
For your afternoon in the footsteps of the painter-gardener, we suggest crossing the Seine by ferry, a flat-bottomed boat typical of Normandy. After a 20-minute drive from Giverny to Vétheuil, board the ferry for a crossing to Moisson-Lavacourt (April to October). Do you know this charming Vexin commune? Claude Monet painted it several times when he lived in Vétheuil. His best-known paintings are Le village de Lavacourt (1878) and La Seine à Lavacourt (1880). You’re in for an unforgettable ride. Then take time out to visit these villages before rounding off your day. More information on the official website here.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
Other ways to discover Giverny and the surrounding area
Giverny by bike
Riding on 2 wheels is always a pleasure, especially when you’re surrounded by greenery, fields of flowers and wheat! The village of Giverny and the medieval town of Vernon can also be reached by bike, with cycle paths and wide lanes for easy circulation.
If you opt for one of our favorite bike tours, you’ll start the journey from Paris by coach, passing through wheat fields and beautiful Normandy sunflowers before stopping in Vernon.
After exploring the historic center, hop on your bike for a picnic on the banks of the Seine. Then the bike ride to Giverny begins. A beautiful day ahead!
Discover the options for this cycling day!
A hot-air balloon ride
You’ll agree that a hot-air balloon ride is a unique experience. So imagine flying over the Gardens and House of Claude Monet and all the wonders of the village of Giverny and the French Vexin Regional Nature Park? It promises to be a truly memorable moment! During the 1-hour flight, you’ll contemplate superb panoramic views with your head in the clouds. Admire from above the landscapes that inspired the finest Impressionist canvases – what unforgettable memories! Ask about hot-air balloon tour companies near Giverny, such as Montgolfière du Vexin or Airshow.
Castle life in the Vexin near Giverny
The Eure department and the French Vexin Regional Nature Park are home to many old family homes. These fortresses are definitely not to be missed if you want to extend your visit to the region, and here are just a few of them:
- Château de Bizy: located in Vernon, this 18th-century fortification and its English park were inspired by the Château de Versailles.
- Château d’Harcourt: built on the estate of the same name, the building, its history and that of the Harcourts rank among France’s oldest families.
- Château de Gaillon: France’s 1st Renaissance-style château, this building was erected a few years before the châteaux of the Loire Valley. Treasure hunts are regularly organized to delight young and old alike!
