BMo229

At the end of July, my husband and I will be staying in Paris for 5 days before continuing our honeymoon. This is my husband's first time to Europe and my first time back since studying abroad in 8 years, so obviously we are super excited!

We were hoping to take a day trip out of the city by train while we are in France. My hubby loves Monet's work and would like to visit Giverny. I would also like to explore an historical town with some charm. One idea we have was visit a small town in the morning, on our way to Giverny, have lunch there, then head to Giverny to explore the gardens and le maison.

Do you think this would work. Are there any towns near Giverny you would recommend visiting?

Thanks for your help!

Christina

Rouen would be the natural combination, but it isn't on the way and isn't small. It's just on the same rail line, but farther away. Giverny isn't very far outside Paris and it extremely small to begin with, not sure you are aware of that. I mean the town is really named Vernon where the rail station is, Giverny is just a bit away from that by bus/taxi. So if you aren't aware of Vernon, see it, that makes the most sense. The rail schedule isn't that extensive that you are going to be able to have a lot of choices of going somewhere by rail for lunch and then quickly getting to Vernon. I presume you are talking about doing this by train, aren't you?

If so, there is not much choice, it would have to be a place on the rail line between Paris and Vernon. And there would be little purpose to that as it won't be anything that great compared to Vernon. The only place I know on the line is Mantes la Jolie, and I can't imagine why you'd want to stop there.

greg

You might want to think about the timing of visit to Giverny. It is a major big tour bus destination. During the mid-day, the place is mobbed. I would recommend be there sharp at the opening time before the tour buses or later in the day when most of the tour buses are gone.
Vernon is an easy choice of nearby town. In fact, the train stop for Giverny is Vernon. However, heading north to Rouen would probably be more interesting especially after Giverny. You get to see the Rouen Catheral Monet drew so many paintings. There is an hourly train from Vernon to Rouen until 1pm then reduced to one very two hours until the evening. It is the continuation of the same train you take from Paris St-Lazare station to Vernon. There are about two trains every hour from Rouen back to Paris in the evening taking about 90 minutes until 8pm. See www.bahn.com for train schedules to see how you want to sequence the visits.

Bertrandfr

Bonjour, Hello Bmo

I'm French, and i can help you.

You must go in city of Gaillion, for visit the castle of Gaillion,is not fat to Giverny.

it is very beautiful place.

Sorry for my languages it is bad, i'm in this forum for pratice my English.

If you have other questions you can ask me, but with a simply language please.

Goodbye.

kja

I don't know how accessible it is by public transportation, but you might look into the Chateau Gaillard in Les Andelys -- perfect for just a quick visit on the same day as Giverny.

Bertrandfr

Hello,

It's possible with public transport, public bus line 240,

40 minutes 2 or 4 passage at days. Other possibility taxi for 80 €.