A day trip to Giverny is easy. The SNCF train from Gare Saint-Lazare takes you to Vernon/Giverny in 45 minutes. Rent a bike across from the train station and take your time pedaling to Giverny. The biggest piece of advice: buy your tickets in advance to Monet’s house. Follow the online ticket links at Foundation Claude Monet.
Twenty minutes before departure in the direction of Rouen Rive Droite, the departing platform (voie) is posted. While you wait, enjoy the updated three-level shopping mall at Gare Saint-Lazare. If you want to “powder your nose” the “2theloo” spot is open from 6 am to midnight and is constantly being wiped down and freshened up.
Hint on train ticket pricing
Look for special rates on the SNCF website. For example, it is possible to find a non-refundable ticket for 14 euros, but in red you may see refundable (with a small fee) for 12 euros. Look at the days of the week for various ticket prices. Sometimes tickets are as high as 32 euros. OR can buy your tickets at the station the same day of travel.
Lunch
You will not starve. Take your picnic or as you pedal through Vernon you will pass a boulangerie, a charcuterie (paté, terrines, sandwich meats, etc.), a grocery store.
OR once in Giverny you will pass numerous small restaurants: one at Hotel Baudy (part of our entourage enjoyed lunch under the umbrellas at Baudy) or in the Tourist Office complex of tea salon, restaurant, nursery, garden, tourist office (we shared and enjoyed our fresh quiche, tartiflette*, desserts, home made tomato soup, green salad and cider). *Tartiflette is a French dish from the Savoy region in the French Alps. It is made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, lardons and onions. The word tartiflette is probably derived from the Arpitan word for potato, tartiflâ. Wikipedia
Travel between Vernon station and Giverny
It takes about thirty minutes to bike between Vernon station and Monet’s house (non-stop). Plan on time to rent the bike, check out the bike (chain, tires, basket, etc.)
A SNGO shuttle bus (navette) picks up passengers across from the bike rental café (l’Arrivée de Giverny). Check shuttle’s real time schedule on www.sngo-giverny.fr (free WiFi on the bus). The ride takes about twenty minutes.
Other things to do and see
Visit Vernon, City of Art and History, Historical Discovery Tour. virtually or in reality using the QR code. You will recognise the symbol of the owl on the QR code on any historical signs such as the Old Mill or the Château des Tourelle.
Impressionist Museum in Giverny
The Musée des impresionninnismes Giverny was once known as Musée d’art américain Giverny (1992). In 2009 the Terra Foundation for American Art, the Conseil générals of the Eure and Seine-Maritime regions in Haute-Normandie, the city of Vernon and surrounding communities, Musée d’Orsay decided to replace the American museum. Terra Foundation still has an active presence on the Board of Directors, loaning artwork and organising exhibitions on American Art. Read more about the museum in French, English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, German and Dutch.
Giverny, the Town
The Claude Monet Foundation is open every day
from 24th of March to the 1st of November 2017 from 9.30 a.m. till 6 p.m. – last admission 5.30 p.m.
Musée des impressionnismes Giverny
From March 24 to July 2, every day from 10am to 6pm (last admission at 5:30pm)
From July 14 to November 5, every day from 10am to 6pm (last admission at 5:30pm)
Giftshop and restaurant are open daily from 10am to 6pm
