Things to do in  Giverny

Yes, Giverny is worth visiting. It’s like stepping into one of the most famous paintings in the world. For anyone interested in art, history, gardens, or all three, Giverny is one of the best day trips to take from Paris.

One word: Monet. You likely know what Giverny looks like, as it was immortalized in Monet’s series of Water Lilies paintings — he made a whopping 250 paintings of the lilies in Giverny. Monet lived in Giverny for 40-plus years, and his house and gardens are open to the public.

You can explore Giverny in a day. It’s a small village with a few hundred inhabitants, and the main attraction is Monet’s house and gardens. It’s just over an hour by train from central Paris. If you can, visit the little village church, where Monet and his family are buried.

A guide at Giverny enhances the experience. They’re knowledgeable, and you’ll learn lots about the history of impressionism, the gardens, and Monet himself. In peak season it’s worth booking a guide in advance. Bus and minibus tours also run from Paris, which takes the hassle out of navigating the trains.

Yes, you can do both, but book a tour. A tour cuts down on travel time when compared to public transit, and you’ll want a half day at each. Ideally, you’d visit them on consecutive days. Versailles, in particular, is so vast that it merits a full day.

Yes, Giverny is an easy day trip from Paris. Many bus and minibus tours run from the city center (look for those with a guide and skip-the-line), and trains take an hour or so to Vernon-Giverny. If you’d prefer to stay the night, there are several quality hotels in the area.