craisin

Hello! I'm contemplating on doing a day trip from Paris to Giverny (most likely a Saturday in Mid-October). Should I decide to go, I plan on taking an early morning train to Vernon, then walking to Giverny. Has anyone done this?

I read somewhere that it is about a 3.5 mile distance between the two towns. I figured, this way, I get to explore Vernon as well (I heard they have open markets on Saturdays). Please share your experience.
MERCI BEAUCOUP!

Michael

I don't recall the town as being particularly interesting. My recollection is that the distance between Vernon and Giverny feels like a long 3.5 miles. Renting a bike might be a better option than walking.

Margie

Hi, we took the train from Paris to Vernon and then got on the bus to go to Giverny (well marked, and no problems with having enough room on it etc.) If you want to explore Vernon, go to Giverney first, (be sure to see the American Museum as well as Monet's home & Gardens) take the bus back to Vernon, do a little bit of poking around and then get the train back to Paris.

aaaster

Hi, I have done that. There is a very nice walkway, off the road, all flat. If it is sunny, take a sunhat and water with you. Can't remember how long it took me, 1-2 hours perhaps.

PatrickLondon

I've done it, and thought it was very pleasant (FWIW, I'd done my back in just before leaving home and was still hobbling a bit, but managed it OK).

Turn left out of the station, walk down the main street in Vernon (about three-quarters of a mile), over the bridge and the roundabout on the other side. The main road goes off to the right to Giverny, but carry on a little further: it's some years now since I did it, and the buildings may have changed, but then they looked a bit ho-hum (car repairs, that sort of thing). After about fifty yards or so, there's a path off to the right; it almost looked like someone's slightly neglected back yard, but it soon came out on to a level path between the fields (it's actually a converted railway line). Just keep walking in the same direction and it comes to the main street in Giverny.

I preferred it to the crush for the bus, as it happens, and also walked back the same way. The main street in Vernon is a nice enough town centre with plenty of life and cafés, but I don't remember much, if anything, in the way of a street market. You wouldn't, I think, want to linger in Vernon on the way out to Giverny, because the crowds build up in the gardens in the morning, what with all the coach parties.

PatrickLondon

Meant to add, the first picture in this sequence is what you see from the bridge at Vernon, and the rest are from the walk and Giverny itself (in June, no idea what it'll be like in October).

http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...57604796188694