Our Travel Tips to Tour Giverny and the Monet Gardens in France
- Nov 9
- 6 min read
The Story Behind The Travel Photos
What To Know to Visit
Monet's Gardens, House and Museum
in Giverny, France
In 1883, Claude Monet, considered the Father of the Impressionist Movement, "retired" to the small village of Giverny, near Vernon, in the Upper Normandy region of France, about 80km/50 miles from Paris. He eventually bought a lovely farm style house and designed and planted the gardens he would make famous through his paintings that he created until his death in 1926. The property was inherited by his son, who, in turn, bequeathed it to the Academie des Beaux-Artes in 1966. The house and gardens were declared public in 1980 after extensive renovations with the creation of The Foundation Claude Monet.
The Impressionists created their art with a dreamy look, with more emphasis on color and light and the impression of shape rather than hard defined lines that tried to duplicate the scene or portrait. Early artists had to be the photographers of their day, but after photography (and filmmaking) came along, artists were free to interpret even more. Lines did not need to be so defined, colors could be an approximate, light could be played with. You might say that impressionists were the Ai of their time, leading the way for modern and contemporary art.
It was Claude Monet's work, Impression, soleil levant, that actually gave name to the movement, so if you are new to studying or experiencing this movement of art, Giverny is actually the place to start your tutorial.
For this particular travel blogger and photographer, this was, please excuse the expression, a bucket list item. But once was not enough. I can't wait to plan a trip back. It will take a priority, because I would like to see the water lilies in full bloom (they were peeking out in early spring when I visited). And I would like to take more photos, from many more angles. I'll have to take my own advice and perhaps plan to stay overnight to really experience the village.
For many people, artists in particular, this is almost a pilgrimage, an absolute must-do when one is in the neighborhood, which for many people means anywhere in France, or Europe for that matter. For others, it might be an add-on when visiting Paris. Whatever the reason, here are our travel tips when going to Giverny.
What to Know to Visit Giverny and the Monet Gardens in France
Bonus Travel Tip: Giverny can be family friendly and for kids. Take a preview look at the house on the website and create a scavenger hunt. Let the child take their own photos and videos in their own way and let them create a slideshow. Apple's iMovie app is free for iPhones and their are several 3rd party apps for Android phones. Let your child be the filmmaker for the day. Also, you might want to consider staying overnight in the area and break up the visit over two days. The house and gardens are not the only attractions.
Travel Tip To Tour Giverny 1. It doesn't matter what you see first, the gardens, the house or even his artwork in other museums. If you have seen any of Monet's works, such as the massive room-sized murals at the Musee de l'Orangerie, this experience will be awesome. If you visit Giverny before you see any of the paintings, you will understand the inspiration. And if you want a visual preview, the film Midnight in Paris begins at Giverny.
Any order that you prep with is OK. You can link all of your experiences and appreciate the interconnections. Several of Monet's works are in many museums around the world. When people finally visit Giverny, it's as if the works have come to life. Tickets in peak times do sell out or, the line to get into the house and gardens can be extremely long. Check the website. If you have the luxury of flexibility, check the locations of where you want to visit in the Paris region before you even book your flight or hotel, so that you can plan your itinerary. Finally, don't forget to check the weather.
Travel Tip To Tour Giverny 2. Plan your trip carefully. From Paris (where most tourists are coming from), take the SCNF train from Gare Saint-Lazare in Paris to Vernon. Planned train strikes are frequent and, in today's world, there are terrorist threats. Buy your round trip tickets on the day of your visit at the station (even if you already have your museum ticket). Save money in your budget for a car service (do this for Versaille and Disneyland Paris, too, by the way). If a strike happens, you have an alternative route to get there (and back). Ask the concierge or a tourist info office. They will have the latest information about what is happening. (And don’t forget to validate your ticket before boarding!)
In Vernon, you will have to take a bus to Giverny. Once you arrive in Vernon, immediately double check the timetable for the bus from Giverny to Vernon and the train back to Paris. Stick to the timetable. Otherwise, you will find yourself either stick in Giverny or Vernon overnight. Time your bus ride from Vernon so that you know how long it will take you to get to the train station. It's better to be early for the train than to miss it entirely.
What to Know to Visit Giverny and the Monet Gardens in France
Travel Tip To Tour Giverny 3. It may be crowded. In fact, it's almost a guarantee. It’s best to pre-purchase your tickets online. If not, get there very early (greatly advised), stand on the queue and purchase your tickets. There are tickets for the gardens, Monet’s house and the museum and the Musee des Impressionmisme, down the street. You can buy a combo ticket. Currently, this attraction is not covered by the Paris Museum Pass. Always check their website for the latest info.
Travel Tip To Tour Giverny 4. If the gardens look familiar, it’s said that these gardens inspired botanical gardens throughout the world. The gardens will vary depending on the season. The famous water lily pond may not be in bloom until May or June but it's impressive just the same. Monet planned for the fact that the water lilies are not in bloom all the time and has plenty of trees, some benches and other flora for you to admire, including the famous Japanese bridge. However, most people want to see the water lillies and those times of the year can be very crowded.
The gardens in front of the house may be planted with flowers that will help the garden to flora all spring, summer and into fall.
Travel Tip To Tour Giverny 5. The house is like a museum. So, even if you're not into art, you'll love the architecture and the era of the house. Monet loved Giverny and lived there from 1883 until he died in 1926. It seems as if the past and present are in the house at the same time, even almost 100 years later. Monet helped to inspire the Giverny Colony of impressionist artists who started living there circa 1887. If you're inspired to create, the gift shop will help you get started. You can also take home a little bit of Monet with you in many forms from socks to umbrellas.
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