A complete guide to visiting Monet's Garden in France!
Monet's Garden is not only a tourist attraction, but also an immersive art experience. Slow down and experience the world through the eyes of the Impressionist masters! The following guide covers transportation, travel routes, must-see attractions, and precautions to make your journey more fulfilling.
1. How to get there
From Paris:
1. Train + bus: Paris Saint-Lazare → Vernon, the journey takes about 45 minutes, then take a bus or taxi (about 15 minutes to Giverny).
2. Self-driving: about 1.5 hours, there is a parking lot near the garden (paid).
2. Recommended tour time
1. Flowering period recommendations
--April-May: Tulips, daffodils and wisteria are in bloom.
--June-August: Water lilies, roses and sunflowers bloom.
--September-October: Autumn colors gradually turn into colors and there are fewer tourists.
2. Abortion recommendations
--There are fewer people in the mornings or an hour before the park opens, but it is more crowded on weekends and holidays.
3. Recommended attractions and routes
1. Must-see attractions:
① Water Garden——Monet’s Water Lily World
Nihonbashi: Beautiful as an oil painting in every season.
Water lily pond: The best viewing time is from June to September.
Bamboo Forest Trail: The bamboo forest beside the water garden is quiet and mysterious, perfect for taking portraits.
②Garden (Clos Normand)——Monet’s palette: a sea of flowers in all seasons.
③Maison de Monet
--Pink House: The interior retains traces of Monet's life.
--Yellow Restaurant: Where Monet dined with family and friends.
--Blue kitchen: unique blue and white porcelain decoration.
2. Recommended tour routes (essence version):
①Route: Water Garden→Normandy Garden→Monet's House→Souvenir Shop+Cafe
②Duration: 2-3 hours
③ Water Garden Route: Turn right at the entrance → Follow the signs to the Water Garden (about 5 minutes walk).
④ Garden route: Return to the main entrance from the water garden → Enter the central flower path with 2-meter-high "flower walls" on both sides.
⑤ Recommended order for visiting Monet’s former residence: yellow dining room → blue kitchen → bedroom and studio.
3. Recommended itinerary
Paris → Monet's Garden (One-day round trip)
-①Route:
Take the train from Paris Saint-Lazare train station to Vernon and then take a shuttle bus (about 15 minutes) or a taxi directly to Monet's Garden.
Visit the gardens and water gardens at noon (about 2-3 hours), and we recommend dining in Giverny;
In the afternoon, visit Monet's former residence and souvenir shop. If you have enough time, you can stroll through the art galleries in Giverny.
Return to Vernon Station to take the train back to Paris.
-② Suitable for people: tourists who have limited time and focus on Monet's garden.
③Tips:
--Buy train tickets in advance (TER Normandie line), non-fixed seats, flexible travel.
--If you drive, you can stop by the medieval castle of La Roche-Guyon (about 20 minutes’ drive from Giverny).
IV. Practical Information
1. Opening date and time:
--Date: Open from April 1st to November 1st every year.
--Time: 9:30-18:00 (last admission 17:30).
--Recommended visit time: 1 hour 30 to 2 hours.
2. Practical Tips:
① Clothing: There are many gravel roads and soil in the garden, so it is recommended to wear comfortable flat shoes.
②Photography recommendations:
--The light is soft in the early morning or evening, which is suitable for photographing the Japanese bridge and pond.
--The bamboo forest beside the bamboo path and water garden is quiet and mysterious, suitable for taking portraits.
--Low-angle shots of the Japanese bridge and its reflection on the water, avoiding the crowds.
--Colors are more saturated on cloudy days, and light and shadows are more dreamy on sunny days.
--Look for Monet’s favorite yellow restaurant exterior wall (next to his former residence), it’s a great place to take photos!
③Notes:
--Pets are not allowed into the park.
--Picnicing, drawing and painting are not allowed.
--Wedding photo shooting is not accepted.
--No luggage storage service is provided.
--No touching of plants or stepping into flower beds is allowed in the garden.
--Photography is prohibited in Monet's former residence, but you can take photos in the garden as you like.