What’s the best time to visit Giverny?
The best month depends on what you want to see
The question I’m most often asked in Vernon is, “When should I come?” I turn the question back: what do you want to see? If the answer is “Monet’s water lilies,” April is a mistake. The pond is there, the Japanese bridge is there, but the flowers won’t appear before late June. If the answer is “a flower garden,” April and May are excellent. The Clos Normand is planted to bloom all season, with over a hundred varieties; the water garden, however, follows the schedule of water lilies and wisteria.
The blooming calendar, month by month
- April and May: tulips, daffodils, irises; the wisteria on the Japanese bridge blooms in May—this is the iconic photo everyone knows, but it doesn’t last long.
- June: roses, poppies, and the first water lilies at the end of the month.
- Late June to September: water lilies in bloom, peaking in July and August. The flowers open in the morning and afternoon and close at the end of the day; each bloom lasts three to five days.
- September and October: dahlias, sunflowers, nasturtiums taking over the main path of the Clos Normand, softer light, and far fewer visitors.
- Late October: autumn colors; the last week before the November 1st closing is the quietest of the entire season.
What’s the best time to visit Giverny?
Two time slots. The first is at 10 a.m., opening time, with a timed ticket booked in advance: you’ll have the water garden almost to yourself for about half an hour before the excursion coaches arrive, usually between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. The second is after 4 p.m.: last admission is at 5:30 p.m., the groups have left, and the low light over the pond is just what you’re looking for. Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., from mid-May to late August, on weekends and public holidays, it’s peak crowds, and the house, which is small, becomes uncomfortable. One detail few visitors anticipate: the water lily flowers close at the end of the day, so the evening slot offers the light but fewer open flowers than in the morning. If water lilies are your priority, go at 10 a.m.; if it’s tranquility, aim for 4:30 p.m.
How this affects your choice of tour
A coach excursion from Paris will always arrive with the other coaches—it’s the trade-off for convenience, and the half-day tour makes up for it with included entry and a guide. If timing matters to you, take the train and book the guided tour on-site or the private tour, whose typical schedule places the visit from 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. To plan your trip, see how to get to Giverny.
A late-September Tuesday at 10 a.m., or any day during the last week of October—these are the visits my groups keep talking about. The water lilies have almost vanished, the nasturtiums have taken over the main path, and you can hear the water in the pond.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best month to visit Giverny?
For water lilies, July or August; for wisteria, May; for peace and light, September and October. April is ideal for tulips and irises, but not for water lilies. See when the water lilies bloom.
What’s the best time to visit Giverny?
Opening at 10 a.m. with a timed ticket, or after 4 p.m. Coaches arrive between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., and crowds peak between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Is Giverny open in winter?
No. The estate closes on November 1st and reopens on April 1st. Details on the opening dates page.
Should you avoid weekends?
From mid-May to late August, yes, if you can. A weekday at opening makes all the difference; otherwise, an on-site guided tour with a separate entrance keeps the wait to a minimum.
What’s the weather like in Giverny?
This is Normandy—pack a waterproof layer even in summer. A drizzly weekday is often a better visit than a scorching Saturday in July.