The Ultimate Guide to a Day Trip from Paris to Giverny (2025)

Escape the electric hustle of Parisian boulevards and step directly into a living Impressionist painting. Imagine wandering across a wisteria-draped Japanese bridge, watching willow branches dance on the surface of a lily-covered pond, and strolling through flowerbeds bursting with a chaotic symphony of color. This isn’t a dream; it’s Giverny, the beloved home of Claude Monet, and it’s one of the most enchanting day trips from Paris you can possibly take.

Planning your visit to Monet’s garden from Paris can feel overwhelming with questions about trains, tickets, and timing. Fear not. This comprehensive 2025 guide provides all the practical, step-by-step information you need to plan a seamless and unforgettable journey into the heart of Impressionism.

Quick Facts: Your Giverny Day Trip at a Glance

Category	Details
Distance from Paris	~75 km (47 miles) Northwest of Paris
Travel Time	50 mins by train (to Vernon) + 20 mins shuttle; ~1.5 hrs by car
Average Cost (2025)	€70-€110 per person (transport, ticket, simple lunch)
Best Time to Visit	April – October. Weekdays (Tues-Thurs) are best.
Time Needed in Giverny	4-6 hours for a comfortable visit including lunch

Is a Day Trip to Giverny from Paris Worth It?

In a word: absolutely! While Paris has endless charms, Giverny offers a unique and profound experience that enriches any trip to France. If you’re an art lover, a garden enthusiast, or simply seeking a tranquil escape, Giverny is a must-do.

• Walk in the Footsteps of a Legend: You’re not just visiting a garden; you’re exploring the living, breathing muse of Claude Monet, the father of Impressionism.
• World-Class Beauty: From the iconic water lily pond to the explosion of color in the Clos Normand, it is objectively one of the most beautiful and meticulously crafted gardens in the world.
• An Easy Escape: The journey is simple and relatively quick, making it a perfect, low-stress addition to your Paris itinerary.
• Tranquil Normandy Countryside: It’s a breath of fresh air, literally. Swap cityscapes for the serene, green landscapes of Normandy.
• A Photographer’s Paradise: Every single view is a masterpiece waiting to be captured, from the famous Japanese bridge to the vibrant blue kitchen inside Monet’s house.

How to Get to Giverny from Paris: 3 Best Ways

Getting to this slice of paradise is straightforward. Here are the most popular options, broken down so you can choose the best one for your travel style and budget.

By Train: The Scenic & Popular Choice

Taking the train is the most common and arguably the most charming way to make the Giverny day trip from Paris by train. It’s efficient, scenic, and lets you travel like a local.

1. Start at Gare Saint-Lazare: Head to this beautiful, historic train station in Paris, famously painted by Monet himself!
2. Book Your Ticket to Vernon-Giverny: Purchase your tickets for the direct train to “Vernon-Giverny”. We highly recommend booking in advance on the official SNCF Connect website or app for the best prices (around €15-€35 each way).
3. Enjoy the 50-Minute Ride: Relax and watch the Parisian suburbs melt away into the rolling green hills and charming villages of Normandy.
4. From Vernon to Giverny: Once you arrive in Vernon, you’re just 7km (4.3 miles) from the gardens. You have a few easy options for the final leg of your journey.

Here’s how to get from Vernon station to the gardens:

Method	Cost (Round Trip)	Travel Time	Notes
Shuttle Bus (Navette)	~€10	15-20 mins	The easiest option. The bus is timed to meet train arrivals and drops you right at the entrance.
Taxi	~€40-€50	10 mins	Fastest but most expensive. A good choice if you’re in a group of 3-4 people.
Walk/Bike	Free / Bike Rental	~1 hour walk	A beautiful, flat path along an old railway line. Perfect for a sunny day if you have the time.

By Car: The Flexible Option

Driving to Giverny offers the most flexibility, allowing you to set your own schedule. The drive is approximately 1.5 hours via the A13 motorway. Be prepared for tolls (péage) along the way. The major advantage? Giverny has large, well-signposted, and completely free public parking lots just a short walk from the entrance.

By Organized Tour: The Hassle-Free Way

If you prefer an all-inclusive experience, a day tour from Paris to Giverny is the perfect solution. These tours handle all the logistics—transportation, tickets, and often a guide—so you can simply sit back and enjoy the beauty.

• Half-Day Tours: These focus solely on Monet’s House and Gardens, getting you there and back to Paris with maximum efficiency.
• Full-Day Combination Tours: Many operators offer incredible full-day trips that combine Giverny with other iconic locations. Popular pairings include a day trip from Paris to Giverny and Versailles or a tour that includes the historic city of Rouen.

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Giverny

Once you arrive, here’s what you absolutely cannot miss.

1. Monet’s Water Garden (Le Jardin d’Eau): This is the star of the show. Cross the green Japanese bridge, admire the weeping willows, and lose yourself in the dreamy reflections of the sky and clouds in the famous water lily pond. It feels like you’ve stepped through the canvas and into the painting itself.
2. Monet’s Flower Garden (Le Clos Normand): Viewed from the house’s second-story window, this garden is a riot of organized chaos. Straight pathways are flanked by an explosion of seasonal color—tulips, irises, roses, poppies, and dahlias all compete for your attention, creating a dazzling palette that changes throughout the year.
3. Monet’s House (La Maison de Monet): Step inside the iconic pink house with green shutters. The interior is just as vibrant. Don’t miss the stunning blue sitting room, the brilliant yellow dining room filled with Japanese prints, and Monet’s first studio, which contains replicas of his masterpieces.
4. Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny: Located right next door, this excellent museum explores the history and legacy of the Impressionist art movement that Monet pioneered. It’s a fantastic and often-overlooked addition to your visit.
5. Explore Giverny Village & Monet’s Grave: Take 30 minutes to wander the charming main street, Rue Claude Monet. It’s lined with lovely cafés, art galleries, and flowers. For a moment of quiet reflection, visit the Église Sainte-Radegonde, where Monet and his family are buried in the peaceful churchyard.

A Perfect Half-Day Giverny Itinerary

Want a foolproof plan? Follow this schedule for a relaxed and rewarding visit.

1. 8:20 AM: Depart from Paris Gare Saint-Lazare on a morning train.
2. 9:15 AM: Arrive in Vernon. Hop on the waiting shuttle bus.
3. 9:45 AM: Arrive at Monet’s Gardens, just after they open to beat the biggest crowds.
4. 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Explore the Water Garden first, then the Flower Garden, and finally the House.
5. 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM: Enjoy a leisurely lunch. Grab a delicious sandwich from a local boulangerie or sit down at a classic French bistro.
6. 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM: Take a short, pleasant stroll through the village to see Monet’s grave.
7. 2:45 PM: Catch the shuttle from the main parking lot back to the Vernon train station.
8. 3:30 PM: Take the train back to Paris, arriving around 4:30 PM with a full heart and a camera full of memories.

Planning Your Visit: Essential Info for 2025

A little planning goes a long way. Here are the key details you need to know.

Opening Hours & Season

Crucially, the Fondation Claude Monet is seasonal. It is open daily from April 1st to November 1st, 2025. It is completely CLOSED during the winter months. General hours are from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last admission at 5:30 PM.

Tickets & Entry Fees

As of early 2025, standard ticket prices are approximately:

• Adult: €13
• Child/Student: €8.50
• Under 7: Free

The Musée des Impressionnismes has a separate entry fee of around €9.

Accessibility Information

The Water Garden is mostly flat and accessible for wheelchairs. However, the Clos Normand has many gravel paths, and Monet’s house is historic, with narrow corridors and stairs, making it very difficult for visitors with mobility challenges. Please check the official website for the most current accessibility details.

Insider Tips for Visiting Monet’s Garden

Make your visit even more magical with these pro tips.

• Book tickets online in advance! This is our number one tip. The ticket-buying queue on-site can be incredibly long, especially midday. A pre-booked, timed-entry ticket lets you walk right past it.
• Go early or late. To avoid the crush of tour buses, arrive right at the 9:30 AM opening or plan your visit for later in the afternoon (after 3:00 PM).
• Visit the Water Garden first. As soon as you enter, head straight back and to the right, through the underpass, to the Water Garden. This gives you the best chance to get a photo on the Japanese bridge before it becomes too crowded.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be doing a lot of walking on gravel paths and cobblestones. Comfort is key!
• Check the bloom calendar. If you’re dreaming of seeing specific flowers, do a quick search online for Giverny’s bloom schedule. Late April-May is for wisteria and irises, June-July for roses and peak water lilies, and September-October for dahlias.

Giverny Day Trip Budget Breakdown (Per Person)

Here’s a sample budget to help you plan your expenses for 2025.

Expense	Budget Option	Mid-Range Option
Train (Round Trip)	€30 (booked in advance)	€50 (last minute)
Shuttle Bus	€10	€10
Entrance Ticket	€13	€13
Lunch	€15 (Boulangerie sandwich)	€35 (Restaurant Baudy)
Total (per person)	~€68	~€108

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Giverny a good day trip from Paris?

Yes, it is one of the best and most popular day trips from Paris. It’s relatively close, stunningly beautiful, culturally significant, and offers a wonderful, peaceful break from the energy of the city.

How much time do you need at Giverny?

Plan for a minimum of 2-3 hours just to see the house and gardens thoroughly. For a more relaxed experience that includes lunch, a walk through the village, and perhaps the art museum, you should allocate 4 to 5 hours. This makes it a perfect half-day or easy full-day excursion.

How do you get to Giverny from Paris?

The easiest and most common way is by taking a 50-minute train from Paris Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon, followed by a 15-minute shuttle bus to the gardens. Alternatively, you can drive in about 1.5 hours or book an organized bus tour directly from Paris for a hassle-free experience.

How far is Monet’s house from the train station?

Monet’s house in Giverny is 7 kilometers (about 4.3 miles) from the train station in the town of Vernon. This distance is easily covered by the shuttle bus (15-20 mins), a taxi (10 mins), or a scenic walk or bike ride (about 1 hour).

TL;DR: Giverny in a Nutshell

For those in a hurry, here’s the quick summary:

• Go From: Paris Gare Saint-Lazare train station.
• Go To: Vernon-Giverny station (50 min train).
• Then: Take the 15-min shuttle bus from Vernon to the gardens.
• Must-Do: Book your garden entrance ticket online in advance to skip the line.
• When to Go: April 1st – Nov 1st. Go on a weekday, right at 9:30 AM or after 3 PM.
• Don’t Miss: The Water Garden (Japanese bridge) and the colorful kitchen in the house.