From Paris to Giverny: a day trip in the Impressionist countryside

Located in the Eure, in Normandy, Giverny is around 80 kilometres north-west of Paris, midway between Évreux and Gisors, an hour from Rouen. The village is on the edge of the Eure and Yvelines departments, in a verdant landscape close to Vernon.

By car, the route takes about 1h15 via the A13 motorway, or 1h30 by smaller roads. From Paris, the most direct itinerary passes through Neuilly-sur-Seine, Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Mantes-la-Jolie, then crosses the Seine to reach Giverny. 

From Paris Saint-Lazare, direct trains take you to Vernon-Giverny station in less than an hour. From there, a seasonal shuttle bus reaches the heart of the village in about twenty minutes. The round-trip ticket costs around 10 euros. Taxis are also available outside the station, with a fare of around 20 euros for the journey to Giverny.

For a more peaceful experience, an organized excursion takes care of every detail. Departure by air-conditioned coach from central Paris, journey through Norman landscapes, guided visit of Monet's gardens, lunch in a regional restaurant, free stroll in the village. The aim: letting yourself enjoy the place without thinking about transport or parking. 

To take full advantage of Giverny, choose an early start, around 8 or 9 am, with an arrival mid-morning. You can then enjoy the gardens, the house, the Museum of Impressionisms and the small shops of the village before returning to Paris in the early evening. For an even more immersive experience, a weekend on site is the ideal.