Day Trip from Paris: Visiting Monet’s Gardens in Giverny
Just outside of Paris, the village of Giverny feels like stepping into a painting. Home to Claude Monet’s famous gardens, this charming destination is one of the most beautiful and easiest day trips you can take from the city. It’s especially beautiful in spring, when the flowers are in full bloom.
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When my family came to visit me during my semester in Paris as an exchange student, I mapped out a whole week of sightseeing and a couple of day trips! If you’re planning your stay in Paris, check out my hotel recommendations.
Giverny was such an easy day trip – the SNCF from Paris to Vernon-Giverny station is just a 45 minute ride. Claude Monet’s House and Gardens are about 4 miles (6 km) from the station and there are some shuttle buses to Giverny (Navette).
The House and Gardens are open from April 1 to November 1 from 10:00-6:00. Visiting in spring is ideal to see the gorgeous tulips and wisteria. We visited at the beginning of May, and there were plenty of tulips and other flowers in bloom but unfortunately we missed the wisteria.
Le Clos Normand
As a huge Claude Monet fan, I was kind of geeking out to go see the garden that inspired so many of his famous works. Walk through rows of colorful blooming flowers and try to imagine him walking the same paths! So crazy!
Colour is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment. – Claude Monet
Le Pont Japonais
It was so exciting to see the famous water lily pond with the iconic Japanese Footbridge in person. If you time your visit just right, the bridge will be draped in cascading wisteria. The wisteria typically blooms in the second half of May.
The water lilies don’t bloom until about July timeframe, but even without them, the soft reflections on the water give the whole garden that dreamy, Impressionist feel.
Maison de Claude Monet
Walk through Monet’s colorful house and imagine what it must have felt like for the artist to live here! Claude Monet moved here in 1883, and lived here more than 40 years until his death. The blue kitchen was fanciful, and I loved seeing his art collection.
If you go early in the day, you’ll have great lighting and less crowds. With the short train ride, it’s feasible to do as a half-day tour.
Visiting Monet’s House and Gardens feels like stepping straight into one of his paintings. It’s just as spectacular as enjoying his artwork. Whether you’re visiting in peak spring bloom or later in the season, it’s easily one of the most memorable day trips from Paris.
Are you also a big Claude Monet fan?! Check out this beautiful tabletop book featuring his artwork.
Keep an eye out for more upcoming posts about Paris highlights and other day trips!
6 Comments
LisaLisa
Sounds like a wonderful trip! I would spend a like of time checking out the garden, wow it’s so beautiful and Monet’s House and Gardens artwork is amazing.
Sheenia Denae
Sounds like a great experience, love the photos in this post!
Lex B
What a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing. Looks like this was fun!
Imperfectly Wabi Sabi
I love reading your travel blogs. It takes me away from my tiny computer
Sharyn
Sounds like a great day trip to get out of Paris. It looks so peaceful.
Christy G
The tulip flower garden is so beautiful. I haven’t seen any in person but I haven’t tried to find a tulip farm near by. I might have to do that next spring. It would be a fun day of photography.