Paris to Giverny · 80 km · Multiple Options

Getting to Giverny from Paris

Giverny lies 80 kilometres northwest of Paris, in the Seine valley on the edge of Normandy. There is no direct train or bus from Paris to the garden gate — every route involves at least one transfer. This guide covers every realistic option with honest timing, pricing, and the trade-offs most visitors don't learn until they've already made their choice.

By Train: The Classic Route

The train is the most popular and often the most straightforward way to travel from Paris to Giverny. The Paris Saint-Lazare → Vernon-Giverny service is operated by SNCF Intercités. The journey takes approximately 75 minutes. Trains run roughly every 60–90 minutes during the day, but frequencies are reduced on weekends and outside the tourist season — always check timetables on sncf-connect.com before setting out.

The train passes through Mantes-la-Jolie (the main interchange point if you're coming from other parts of Île-de-France) before reaching Vernon. Note that the station is officially called "Vernon-Giverny" on tickets and timetables, despite being in Vernon, not Giverny — the town is 7 kilometres away.

Common mistake: Not checking the last return train before leaving Paris. In low season, the last Intercités back to Paris from Vernon can depart at 18:30. Missing it means a €150+ taxi or an unplanned overnight stay.

By Car: Freedom and Flexibility

By car from Paris, the journey takes approximately 1h15 without traffic, but can exceed 2 hours on May–June weekends due to congestion on the A13 motorway. The most direct route: A13 direction Rouen/Caen, exit 16 (Bonnières-sur-Seine), then D201 and D5 into Giverny. A paying car park sits 200 metres from the garden entrance (approximately €5 per day).

Key advice: depart before 8 am or after 3 pm to avoid A13 congestion. On national holidays (July 14, August 15), motorway queues can exceed three hours. Giverny village has no through-road parking; the official car park fills by 10 am on busy days — a second overflow lot opens on the D5 approximately 500 metres further along.

Combining a car trip with other Normandy destinations makes the most sense financially: Vernon itself has a beautiful medieval collegiate church; Bizy Castle (1.5 km away) has remarkable stables; the route north along the Seine to Les Andelys and Château Gaillard adds another 30 minutes but is one of the most scenic drives in northern France.

By Coach: Organised Day Trips

Several operators run day-trip coaches from Paris departing from the Opéra or Eiffel Tower area. Packages typically include round-trip transport and sometimes garden admission. Prices range from €60 to €90. The main drawback is coach travel time (2–3 hours each way depending on traffic) and the constraint of fixed group schedules. These trips are best suited to visitors who do not want to manage connections independently.

GetYourGuide and Viator list multiple options for combined Giverny and Paris day trips. Some include a short Seine cruise or a stop at the Museum of Impressionisms in Giverny village (250 metres from the foundation gardens).

Guided Tours from Paris

Guided tours from Paris range from small-group minibus tours (8–12 people, €80–130 per person) to private car services with a licensed guide (€250–400 for up to 4 people). The advantage over self-guided transport is significant: guides navigate the queues, provide context at every painting location, and typically include Vernon town and the Seine valley en route. Many guides also have relationships with the foundation that allow private early-morning access before the general public.

By Bicycle from Vernon

The cycling route from Vernon to Giverny (7 km one-way) is one of the most pleasant short rides in Normandy. A dedicated cycling path follows the Seine from Vernon, crosses the water-meadows of the Epte valley, and arrives in Giverny via an almost completely flat route. Riding time is approximately 25 minutes each way. Bikes are available for rental at Vernon station (mid-April to mid-October, approximately €10–15 per day). Bring a lock — the car park in Giverny has limited secure bike storage.

The route passes through the hamlet of Saint-Marcel and along the flood plain; in spring, apple orchards in bloom frame the path. Many visitors time a picnic on the return leg, stopping at the Seine riverbank in Vernon where a small beach forms in summer.

Practical Tips and Common Mistakes

• Book garden entry in advance: cashier queues can exceed 45 minutes on May–June weekends. Book on fondation-monet.com. Timed entry is recommended.
• Arrive at opening: 9:30 am gives you one hour before the main tour-group wave (which typically arrives at 10:30 am). The water garden is best in morning light anyway.
• Don't rely on 4G coverage: Giverny is a village of 900 people. Mobile coverage is patchy. Download train timetables and maps before leaving Paris.
• Pack a waterproof layer: the Seine valley is damp. Light rain is frequent even in summer. The garden is beautiful in mist — but soaking wet trainers are not. A compact rain jacket weighs nothing.
• Lunch in Vernon, not Giverny: the handful of restaurants in Giverny village fill up by noon on busy days. Vernon (7 km away, 20 minutes by bike) has more choice and better-value food.
• Check the last return train before you leave Paris: this deserves a second mention. Low-season evening trains from Vernon are rare. The last Intercités to Saint-Lazare can be as early as 18:15.

Frequently Asked Questions