How to get to Giverny from Paris?
Train then shuttle
This is the option I use myself with my groups coming from Paris. The Normandy TER trains on the Paris–Rouen line stop at Vernon-Giverny in about 45 minutes from Saint-Lazare; schedules and tickets are available on SNCF Connect. At the station, the shuttle waits for the trains and reaches the gardens in fifteen minutes, 6 km across the Seine. I won’t mention the shuttle fare here—it changes—but it’s paid on board. The Navigo pass only covers the Île-de-France region, and Vernon is in the Eure department: you’ll need a TER ticket. For the return trip, the shuttle leaves the gardens for the evening trains; just note the time of the last one.
By bike or on foot from Vernon
Bikes can be rented at Vernon station. The greenway follows the Seine and then the Epte rivers, mostly flat, and a leisurely cyclist takes about half an hour; on foot, allow around 1 hour 15. As you cross the bridge, look at the old mill. This is also the route for the day trip by bike from Paris, which includes Vernon’s market and a picnic outside the gardens.
By car
Take the A13 from Paris, exit Vernon/Giverny, about 75 km and 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 with no traffic. Parking in Giverny is free. On weekends from mid-May to late August, it fills up around 11 a.m.; arriving for the 10 a.m. opening solves the problem, and leaving after 4 p.m. avoids it on the way back. From the parking lot, rue Claude-Monet gently climbs to the entrance in a few minutes; the village is best explored on foot. The meadow near the parking is one of the spots where you can have a picnic, as it’s not allowed in the gardens.
Coach or minibus excursions
The day trips from Paris that I compare on the day trip from Paris page depart from the 17th arrondissement (Notre-Dame-de-Compassion Church for the half-day, 6 avenue de Wagram for the minibus, place du Général-Kœnig for the Versailles combo) or the 15th (24 rue Edgar-Faure for the bike day trip). The coach ride lasts 75 minutes. They don’t stop at Vernon station: you can’t join them mid-route. Entry to the house and gardens is included in all. The private tour picks you up at any Paris address in a sedan or minivan.
Which option for whom
No car and no desire to plan: the coach. With a bit of independence and wanting to be at the water lily pond by 10 a.m.: the train, then the guided tour on-site. With family and flexible schedules: the car or the private tour. Only one day for two sites: the Versailles combo, accepting limited time in Giverny.
Take a train that arrives in Vernon around 9:30 a.m. The shuttle drops you off for the opening, giving you a one-hour head start on the coaches.
Frequently asked questions
Which station for Giverny?
Vernon-Giverny, on the TER line from Paris Saint-Lazare to Rouen, about 45 minutes from Paris. A shuttle then connects the station to the gardens in 15 minutes.
Is the Navigo pass valid for Giverny?
No. Vernon is in Normandy, outside the Île-de-France region; you need a TER ticket. More details on the Navigo pass and Giverny page.
Is there parking in Giverny?
Yes, free of charge. It fills up around 11 a.m. on high-season weekends; arrive for the opening or after 4 p.m., as explained on the best time to visit page.
Do excursions from Paris stop in Vernon?
No, they depart from Paris and go directly to Giverny. Details on meeting points are on the excursion from Paris page.
Can you cycle to Giverny from Vernon?
Yes, bikes can be rented at the station, and there’s a flat greenway along the Seine. This is also the route for the day trip by bike from Paris.