Giverny from Paris: how to visit Monet’s house and gardens

When to go

The Fondation Claude Monet opens for the season from early April to early November. In 2026 the dates were April 1 to November 1, every day from 10 am to 6 pm, with last entry at 5:30 pm. In winter the house and gardens are closed, so plan your visit for the spring, summer or early fall.

The garden changes through the season:

• April: tulips and the first spring flowers.
• May and June: wisteria, irises, peonies and roses. The busiest and many say the most beautiful months.
• July to September: the water lilies on the pond.
• September and October: dahlias, sunflowers and nasturtiums spilling over the main path, with fewer visitors.

The gardens are busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, when tour coaches arrive. Come at opening time or after 3 pm for a calmer visit.

Tickets and rules

• Prices: €13 for adults, €7 for ages 7 to 17 and students, free under 7. Combined tickets with the Musée des Impressionnismes next door cost €25.
• Book online. The foundation strongly recommends it. Once the online quota is gone, the line on site can be long, and there is no skip-the-line ticket.
• Small bags only. Only cabin-size bags are allowed, and there is no luggage storage.
• Once you exit, you can’t come back in, and picnics are not allowed in the gardens.

Your day with a private driver

The best moments in Giverny are early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when the coaches have gone. With your own car, you choose the time.

• From your door. Pickup at your Paris hotel in a Mercedes with an English-speaking chauffeur, water and Wi-Fi on board, and free child seats on request.
• Time to enjoy it. About 1 hour 15 minutes each way and roughly 3 hours in Giverny, enough for the house, both gardens and the village.
• Tickets taken care of. We can book your entrance tickets in advance.
• A guide, if you like. A licensed English-speaking guide, in addition to your driver, who knows Monet’s paintings and the garden’s history.

Entrance tickets are not included: €13 for adults, €7 for ages 7 to 17. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before, see our cancellation policy.

The price is per car, not per person. For a family of four, €780 comes to €195 each, with no group, no fixed meeting time and a car that keeps your bags.

Make more of the day

• The village of Giverny: Monet’s grave at the Sainte-Radegonde church and the Hôtel Baudy, where American Impressionist painters once stayed.
• The Musée des Impressionnismes, a few minutes’ walk from the gardens.
• Rouen, whose cathedral Monet painted more than 30 times, about an hour further. With a car, Giverny and Rouen make a full day: see our Normandy day trip guide.

When a private driver makes the most sense

Other ways to get to Giverny

If you prefer another option, these are the main alternatives.

• The train and shuttle bus: trains from Paris Saint-Lazare reach Vernon-Giverny in about 45 to 50 minutes, for around €11–16 one way. In season, a shuttle bus takes you to the gardens in about 15 minutes for €8 return, cash only. The shuttle runs on a timetable, so plan your return train in advance.
• Half-day coach tours leave central Paris in the morning or early afternoon and last about 5 hours, from roughly €80 per person, with a large group and limited time in the gardens.

Tips from our drivers

• Book garden tickets as soon as your date is set, especially for May and June weekends.
• Start with the water garden early, before the groups reach the Japanese bridge.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The paths are gravel and the visit takes about two hours.
• Lunch in the village rather than rushing back to Paris. Book ahead in high season.
• Check the season dates for next year before you plan: the foundation announces them in advance on its website.

FAQ