Claude Monet's home from 1883 until his death in 1926, and the garden he designed and painted for over four decades, including the water-lily pond and Japanese bridge that appear in the Nymphéas series. The house itself, with its yellow dining room and blue kitchen, is preserved with Monet's collection of Japanese prints on the walls. It's a single, small site rather than a sprawling estate, so the visit is short but concentrated.
Giverny lies about 80 km from Paris in Eure, Normandy, reached in roughly 1h 15 min by SNCF train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny, followed by a 30-minute shuttle bus (NavetteVert, running April to November) or a 6 km bicycle ride from Vernon station. The main draw is Claude Monet's House and Garden at 84 Rue Claude Monet, including the flower garden (Clos Normand) in front of the pink house and the water garden with the Japanese bridge and lily pond that inspired his Water Lilies series. A one-day itinerary works well by taking a mid-morning train to arrive at the garden by late morning, when light on the lily pond is strong but crowds are lighter than midday; the nearby Musée des impressionnismes Giverny, a short walk from Monet's house, makes a good afternoon addition for visitors interested in the wider Impressionist movement. Late May through June is peak bloom for the water lilies and irises, though the gardens are open and worth visiting from April through October. Vernon town, back near the train station, has cafés and bakeries for a lunch stop, and a handful of small restaurants sit directly along the main street in Giverny village near the museum. Because the shuttle and garden both draw crowds by midday, an early departure from Paris is the most efficient way to see the water garden before tour groups arrive.
| Distance | 80 km from Paris |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 1h 15 min train to Vernon + 30 min bus or 6 km bike |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Address | 84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France |
How to get there
- Train + shuttle bus (recommended)
- Train + bicycle hire from Vernon
- Organised coach tour from Paris
Location
84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France
49.0765, 1.5337 View on map
Highlights
- Monet's flower garden (Clos Normand) and pink house
- The water garden and Japanese bridge over the lily pond
- Musée des impressionnismes Giverny
- Vernon-Giverny train and shuttle bus route through the Normandy countryside
Tips for visiting
- Take the SNCF train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon-Giverny and connect via the NavetteVert shuttle bus
- Book Monet's house and garden tickets online to skip the queue in peak season
- Visit in late May or June for peak water lily and iris bloom
- Arrive on an early train to see the water garden before midday tour groups
- The shuttle bus only runs April through November; hire a bicycle from Vernon station outside that window
When to visit
Visit late May to June for peak lily and iris bloom, arriving on a morning train before midday crowds fill the water garden.
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors get from Vernon station to Giverny?
A shuttle bus (NavetteVert) runs from Vernon station to Giverny village between April and November; outside that period, a bicycle hire or taxi from the station is the alternative.
When are the water lilies in bloom?
Peak bloom is late May through June, though the gardens are open and colorful from April through October.
Is a full day needed for Giverny?
A half-day is enough for the garden and house, but a full day allows time for the Musée des impressionnismes Giverny as well.