EmilySD

Is it best to be at Giverny when it opens at 9:30am or is an afternoon arrival OK? Are 2-3 hours sufficient? Any recommendations for lunch, or dinner if we decide to go later?

Thank you!

dina4

Hi emily,

I haven't been yet, but am planning to go next month. All the research I did encouraged getting there right when they open to avoid a long line and crowds. I also read that 2-3 hrs was about right.

I'm sure some experts with first hand experience will chime in soon...

Have fun planning!
Dina

JoeTro

I spent maybe 4 hours there, but then had to kill a lot of time until I could take the next bus back; there aren't that many.

SeaUrchin

When I was there a few years ago there was a cafe on the grounds, serving light meals such as sandwiches. It was pleasant to sit outside and enjoy the views of the house.

cigalechanta

The best place for a great meal, is Les Jardin de Monet (nothing to do with the Monet house) it's up a road The other place is the Ancient Hotel Baudy, a good place for lunch. They have a photo I took of the artists' studios that is there as a museum where all the American impreressionsts lived when they visited Monet

AnthonyGA

Two or three hours is plenty for actually seeing the site. The garden is very pretty, but small, so it doesn't take long to see it. There are quite a few people, but it's not super super crowded most of the time. Monet's house, on the other hand, is often crowded.

Although 2-3 hours is sufficient to see the garden and house in most cases, you should plan at least half a day or even a full day for the trip, because of all the overhead involved in getting out there from Paris, which requires a train ride and a shuttle ride plus some walking, in both directions. You'll also probably end up eating there, which takes up more time. And the gift shop is quite large, so that can take time as well.

Finally, double- and triple-check the weather before going; it can be quite frustrating to visit the gardens under a pouring rain.

PatrickLondon

If the weather's nice, it's not too arduous a walk between Giverny and Vernon station. It might be better to walk back rather than to, though I found it very pleasant on an early morning.

From the Fondation Monet, keep going through the village, bear right at the end (ideally, just before the petrol station), and the path is laid where an old railway line used to run. When you reach Vernon, pass through the carpark, turn left, aim for the bridge, and the railway station is about another halfmile along the main road. If there's time, Vernon town centre itself is quite attractive.

Margaretlb

You may also want to visit the Museim of American Impressionist Artists which is right next door. Last June I was lucky to catch an Edward Hopper exhibit (from the Princeton Univ Collection) and a lovely exhibit of Japanese style prints by Mary Cassat. I was on a day tour and very sorry that I only had 90 minutes at this museum as there is lots to see in the permanent collection.

EmilySD

Is there much difference in the crowds on the weekend? If we visit Giverny on Saturday or Sunday this will keep the weekdays free for our Paris sightseeing.

Thank you for the great advice! One more week than off we go!

Mimar

Better you go to Giverny on a weekday and do Paris sightseeing on the weekend. We went on a Saturday in May and it was quite crowded. We lunched at the American Museum on their terrace.

PalQ

When i was writing a detailed article on Giverny several years ago i asked the Monet museum/gardens boss what time was best to visit and she said later in the day lines were less and said that Wednesdays were particularly bad during the school year because many French schools are off that day and their grandparents take them to places like Giverny.
2-3 hours are certainly sufficient for this rather compact place but the joy of Giverny extends to the rest of the village, the cemetery, etc. and the American Museum which gets rave kudos itself.