They say there is more to France than just Paris. Oh boy, are they right! I decided to take a day trip from the City of Lights to Giverny, lured by the dreamy images of Claude Monet’s house and garden, and it was everything I hoped for and more.
Giverny, an idyllic village in Normandy where France’s beloved impressionist painter Claude Monet resided, is dotted with flowering gardens and old-world cottages wrapped in lush greenery. It offers many hidden nooks where you can lose yourself in nature and the beauty of the French countryside.
Here is my guide to a perfect day in Giverny, France, with the top 12 things to do to make the most of your visit.
- Explore Monet’s House and Gardens
- Wander Through Scented Garden of the Museum of Impressionism
- Explore the Latest Exhibition at the Museum of Impressionism
- Get up close with historic engines at the Museum of Natural Mechanics
- Visit the Church of Sainte-Radegonde
- Visit Claude Monet’s tomb and churchyard
- Relax at Giverny Chocolat by Babzacao
- See a bust of Claude Monet
- Take a Stroll Through the Village
- Visit the Ancient Hôtel Baudy
- Try French delicacies at a local restaurant
- Walk along the Seine River
Explore Monet’s House and Gardens
Monet’s House
Visit Claude Monet’s pink and green-shuttered house, where he spent forty-three years.
The house has an ethereal, pinch-me-I-can’t-believe-it feel, with a pergola covered with climbing roses and Virginia creeper on the façade.
Inside, you may visit the blue living room, the pantry, his studio, and his bedroom, which offers a stunning view of the garden.
The blue kitchen and the cheerful yellow dining room were two of my favourite spaces in the house. They reflect Monet’s passion for colour.
Monet’s Garden
Walk around the garden that Monet was so proud of.
Monet was fascinated with botany and unusual flower kinds.
The garden is free-flowing and divided into two parts: the Clos Normand, a flower garden located in front of the house, and a water garden across the road, inspired by Japanese gardens.
You can access the water garden through an underground passageway. It features a famous Japanese bridge draped in wisteria, as well as other smaller bridges.
There are also impressive weeping willows, a bamboo grove, and an iconic pond with water lilies which were often featured in Monet’s paintings.
Tips
Prepare yourself for crowds
Most tourists come to Giverny only to see Claude Monet’s house and garden, so it can get extremely crowded.
I booked my tickets in advance and arrived early, before the site opened. Despite the early hour, a long line of people was already waiting at the entrance. The garden quickly became crowded, and the house filled up just as fast. We queued for the house tour, moving through the rooms in a single file.
I recommend arriving early. If there’s a particular area you’d like to photograph or explore without many other people around, go there first.
Skip the line
Save time by purchasing your tickets in advance. There’s a separate queue for pre-booked tickets, which lets you enter the garden earlier.
Wander Through Scented Garden of the Museum of Impressionism
Just a short walk from Monet’s house, the Museum of Impressionism offers another beautiful garden with over 22,000 plants.
You can stroll along colourful flower beds tucked behind small hedges and explore sections dedicated to different colours, such as pink, yellow, blue, black, and white.
There are also areas for rose bushes and aromatic plants.
Explore the Latest Exhibition at the Museum of Impressionism
The Museum of Impressionism hosts two or three major exhibitions each year, all related to Impressionism, its history, and evolution.
During my visit, there was the exhibition ‘Symphony of Water Lilies’ featuring artworks by Japanese painter Hiramatsu Reiji.
Get up close with historic engines at the Museum of Natural Mechanics
The Museum of Natural Mechanics might not be for everyone, but if you are interested in old engines, it is worth a visit.
The museum houses a collection of industrial and agricultural engines from all over the world collected and restored to their former glory by three brothers. They started to collect the machines in 1966.
Admission is free, but you can leave a donation.
Visit the Church of Sainte-Radegonde
Visit the Romanesque Church of Sainte-Radegonde, which Claude Monet frequented.
The church was initially constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries, and its interior features some stunning furniture and stained glass windows.
Visit Claude Monet’s tomb and churchyard
Pay tribute to Claude Monet by visiting his final resting place outside the Church of Sainte-Radegonde. As you walk around the east side of the church, you’ll come across his plant-adorned grave on your right.
You can also visit the churchyard at the back of the building.
One of the most prominent graves is that of seven British Royal Air Force airmen who died when their Lancaster crashed near Giverny.
Relax at Giverny Chocolat by Babzacao
Treat yourself to a little something (think artisanal chocolates or mouthwatering ice cream) at Giverny Chocolat by Babzacao.
I stumbled upon this charming shop while wandering through the village.
It has a lovely terrace where you can steal a few moments of tranquillity and get a well-deserved break away from the tourist hordes at Monet’s House (lol).
See a bust of Claude Monet
Take a look at Claude Monet’s bust by sculptor Daniel Goupil. It is located at the back of the main Giverny parking lot, on the same site where the artist created numerous of his canvases.
The area nearby is nice for a walk and to unwind. You can view the meadows and poplars of the Seine Valley from here, much as Monet did.
Take a Stroll Through the Village
Take a stroll through the village and explore the romantic corners of Giverny, often overlooked by tourists.
Aside from the cosy cafes and restaurants, there are several good art galleries to visit and many tranquil areas to relax.
Visit the Ancient Hôtel Baudy
As you walk along Claude Monet street, you will come across the former Hôtel Baudy, which is now a restaurant.
During the Belle Epoque, it was a centre of creative activity in Giverny, bringing together Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet, Cézanne, Renoir, Sisley, and Rodin.
It kept its authenticity with 1900s décor. You can stop for a meal and tour the painters’ studio and the garden (yep, one more garden to wander around!).
Try French delicacies at a local restaurant
Giverny offers a wide variety of dining options.
After seeing Monet’s House, I went for lunch at Les Nympheas. The restaurant is located just in front of Monet’s House.
I got there right before noon to make sure I could get a table on the terrace. I picked the set meal, which came with fish, fries, and salad. Everything was excellent.
You may also dine at the well-known Ancient Hôtel Baudy, where Impressionist painters used to meet. Their signature dishes are the ‘omelette Baudy,’ filled with duck gizzard and potatoes, and the camembert pancakes.
If you prefer something more upscale, try David Gallienne’s Michelin-starred restaurant at the lovely half-timbered hotel Le Jardin des Plumes.
Walk along the Seine River
If you have more time, rent a bike and take a picturesque walk from Giverny to Vernon or the other way round. The River Seine meanders through the picturesque landscape of Normandy. You will come across historic mills and many gorgeous timber-framed cottages, including the splendid old mill Vieux Moulin.
How to Get There
By Train & Bus Shuttle
Take a train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny. From there, take an Uber or bus shuttle to Monet’s House.
Booking tickets in advance will save you a lot of time. You may see the train schedule and buy your tickets on trainline.com. Check the bus shuttle timetable here.
By Car
Another alternative is to rent a car. It will give you more freedom if you want to take your time and see more of Giverny and the area nearby.
With a tour
There are many organised trips from Paris to Giverny. Some tours take you to Giverny as well as Versailles or Auvers-sur-Oise. Here are some highly rated tours I recommend:
Top-rated group tours
Top-rated private tours
Top-rated multi-destination tours
You can check out more Giverny tours on GetYourGuide.com or Viator.com
Where to Stay
There are many lovely hotels located close to Monet’s house and garden, such as Le Jardin des Plumes.
If you prefer traditional cottages, check out La Dime de Giverny or Le Petit Nid d’Aigle.
You can find more accommodation options on Booking.com, Expedia.com, or Hotels.com.
How to Stay Connected in France
Get an eSIM from GigSky if you want to stay online while you’re travelling in France without having to worry about paying too much for roaming. It’s simple to set up and reliable. I use Google Maps and many other travel apps during my travels, and I found GigSky very useful. You can find more about GigSky here.
Enjoy your stay in Giverny! And if you want to see more of the romantic French countryside, check out my article about Auvers-sur-Oise where Vincent van Gogh spent the last days of his life.
