Day Trips

A Day Trip to Giverny: Monet's Garden from Paris

Giverny is where Claude Monet lived for 43 years and painted his famous Water Lilies. His house and gardens are preserved exactly as he designed them, making this one of the prettiest — and most emotional — day trips from Paris for anyone who loves art or flowers.

Giverny at a glance

Distance from Paris	~75 km · about 1h15 by car
Open season	Roughly late March to 1 November (closed in winter)
Best time	May–July — irises, roses and the water lilies in bloom
Time needed	Half a day (2–3h on site) — easily paired with a Normandy stop

Monet's House & the Gardens

Two gardens, side by side. The Clos Normand is a riot of colour — long beds of tulips, irises, roses and nasturtiums arranged like a living painting. A tunnel under the road leads to the famous Water Garden: the green Japanese bridge, weeping willows and the lily pond that inspired the Nymphéas. Inside, Monet's pink-and-green house is beautifully kept, including his collection of Japanese prints and the sunny yellow dining room.

💡 Tip: Arrive at opening (9:30) or in the last two hours — coach tours flood the narrow paths late morning. Early light on the lily pond is also the most beautiful.

The Village & the Museum of Impressionisms

Giverny village is a single pretty lane of stone houses, cafés and small galleries. The Musée des Impressionnismes hosts excellent seasonal exhibitions, and the churchyard where Monet is buried is a short walk away. It all makes for a gentle, unhurried afternoon.

Getting to Giverny

Public transport is awkward: a train from Gare Saint-Lazare to Vernon, then a shuttle bus or taxi for the last few kilometres to Giverny — with timetables that don't always line up. A private transfer is by far the easiest way: direct, door to door, and you set the pace. It also opens up a lovely private day tour combining Giverny with a Normandy village or a château on the way back.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Giverny? May to July for peak bloom; the gardens are closed in winter (roughly November to late March).

How far is Giverny from Paris? About 75 km — around 1h15 by car.

How long do I need on site? Two to three hours is comfortable for the house, both gardens and the village.

Is it easy by public transport? It's doable (train + shuttle) but slow and rigid; a private car is far simpler, especially for a group.

More ways we can help

Private guided tours of Paris. Prefer to sightsee with your own driver? We offer half-day (4h), full-day (8h) and evening private tours — the icons at your own pace, hotel pick-up included. See our Paris tours.

Book a private driver by the hour. For a custom itinerary, shopping or business, hire a driver by the hour: just tell us your plan via our contact form and we'll arrange it.

Airport & Disneyland transfers. Fixed prices, free child seats, meet & greet. Book your transfer.