Review: From Paris, Giverny, Monet’s house and gardens (half-day)
My verdict: this is the option I generally recommend for anyone leaving Paris without a car who wants to be back by mid-afternoon. It includes entry to the house and gardens, takes about 6 hours door-to-door, comes with an audio guide in ten languages including French, and has a rating of 4.5 out of 3,393 reviews. Its limitations are well-known: a large coach and only about 30 minutes inside the Fondation Monet Giverny.
How the visit works
The meeting point is in front of Notre-Dame-de-Compassion Church in the 17th arrondissement, unless you’ve chosen the hotel pickup option. The drive takes about 75 minutes each way. The English-speaking guide travels with you; for French, the audio guide app takes over on your own phone. Bring headphones.
Once there, the schedule is as follows: about 30 minutes on your own in the Fondation Monet Giverny—that is, the house and the Clos Normand—then about 45 minutes in the water garden, followed by around 80 minutes of free time in the village, and a 10-minute photo stop at Monet’s grave in the cemetery of Sainte-Radegonde Church. Coaches usually arrive between 10:30 am and 11:30 am, which is the busiest time of day. The house is small, and at that hour you’ll move through it in a line. Thirty minutes is enough to walk through, but not to linger.
The 80 minutes of free time are more generous than they seem: Rue Claude-Monet can be walked in about 15 minutes. Many use this time to have lunch, which isn’t included. If you want to visit the Musée des Impressionnismes, 300 metres away, it’s doable but tight, and the entry isn’t included.
What works well
- Entry to the house and gardens is included—nothing to buy on site
- Audio guide in ten languages, including French
- Return to Paris by mid-afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free
- Stop at Monet’s grave, which independent visitors often overlook
- Free cancellation up to 24 hrs before
Things to know
- Large coach: visitors enter the gardens in groups
- About 30 minutes in the Fondation Monet Giverny—too short for the house
- Arrival during peak hours (10:30 am – 11:30 am)
- On-board guide speaks English only
- Not suitable for people with reduced mobility or wheelchair users
As soon as you step off the coach, head straight to the water garden and save the house for the end of your time slot: groups do the opposite, and the Japanese bridge is much quieter for the first ten minutes.
What travellers say
The positive comments almost all mention the guides, referred to by their first names, and the lack of a queue at the entrance. The criticisms, however, are always the same: the time spent on site and the size of the coach.
« Well organised, friendly and knowledgeable guide; the skip-the-line ticket was worth the trip alone » — Helena, Australia
« Lawrence, our guide, was fantastic; we learned so much about Monet and his family » — Lisa, New Zealand
« The guide on the coach was exceptional, competent and polite » — Pamela, United Kingdom
« The guide shared lots of anecdotes about Monet » — Mariana, Brazil
Who it’s for
For a first visit from Paris without a car and with limited time: this is the simplest and most affordable coach excursion. It also suits those who prefer a French audio guide over an English-speaking guide. It’s less ideal for those who want to visit the house in peace: in that case, take the train and shuttle to arrive at opening time, or choose the minibus, which spends nearly two hours at the water garden. If you’re only coming once and also want to see Versailles, the full-day option is available; I review it in the combined tour review. Whatever you choose, check the water lilies’ blooming schedule before booking: they don’t flower before late June.
Alternatives
Small groupFrom Paris: guided minibus tour to Monet’s gardens
On-siteGiverny: guided tour of Monet’s house and gardens
CombinedFrom Paris: Giverny and Palace of Versailles, full-day guided tour
Frequently asked questions
Is the half-day excursion worth it?
Yes, if you’re leaving from Paris without a car and want everything taken care of: transport, entry and a French audio guide are all included. No, if your priority is visiting the house in peace: the coach arrives at peak times. My detailed answer is on Is Giverny worth it.
How much time is spent in Giverny?
Around 30 minutes inside the Foundation, 45 minutes at the water garden and 80 minutes of free time in the village, plus 10 minutes at the grave. That’s just under three hours on site for a six-hour excursion. The recommended duration by the Foundation is 1 h 30.
Does the guide speak French?
The on-board guide is English-speaking. French commentary is available via the audio guide app, which offers ten languages on your phone. For a guided tour in French with a person, you’ll need the on-site guided tour.
Is there hotel pickup?
Depending on the option chosen. The basic package departs from Notre-Dame-de-Compassion church, Paris 17th. The option with hotel pickup and drop-off appears in the booking module. All coach excursions are compared on Excursion from Paris.