madcole4

Hi - we will be arriving in Paris Saturday morning around 9:00a.m.. We need to pick up our houseboat in Migenne/Chatel Censoir (east of Paris) around 6:00 to 7:00p.m. In between, we want to visit Monet's house in Giverny/Vernon. So far, i've check the SNCF train schedules and they are not very accommodating. Anyone knows of alternative ways to get there - how expensive is taxi, renting a car with a driver (we are afraid to drive)

AnthonyGA

There are a couple of trains to and from Vernon daily; in what way do they not accommodate you?

Renting a car with a driver would be extremely expensive. Taxi would be even more expensive—if you could find anyone willing to take you out there (and the trip back would be even more difficult).

RonZ

Car and driver may be your best bet. Good luck!

http://www.barons-limousines.com/

schnauzer

You are right the train times are not very abundant. There is only a very early train about 8.00am and then the next one is about 12.00 (gets you there at 1.00) The return trip is annoying as you have to leave the garden to get the bus to Vernon but the train back to Paris doesn't leave for another hour or thereabouts. It would be very rushed to get back for your houseboat. Can you consider doing this side trip when you return the house boat and before you leave. It is really worth a whole day, taking in everything else in Giverny.

RJD

The Giverny site describes various transportation alternatives from Paris. But trying to do the place justice on your time frame may be tough. I've been there twice by public transpotation and it's a full day if you start early, which is not possible on your schedule. If money is no object, hire a driver as suggested above.

madcole4

Just a report back that we made it to Giverny for Monet's house at the end of our trip. We arrived in Paris around 7am and was able to catch the 8 am train. We found out that there were more train going to Vernon and back to Paris than what was posted on the SNCF website. Even on the weekend, there were trains almost every hour.

RonZ

I've checked the train schedules, using every trick I know of, and the OP is correct--it does not work out.

PalQ

And on a Saturday you may literally wait a few hours in line to get into the gardens if it's in summer.

PalQ

www.bahn.de - the German rail site which is usually accurate lists lots of trains on Saturdays to Vernon - about hourly each way so it seems trains do run frequently.

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep 08:39 ar
09:24 0:45

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep 10:32 arr
12:23

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep 12:04
arr 12:49 0:45

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep 12:34
arr 13:52 1:18

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep 13:45
arr 14:24 0:39

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep
arr 14:23
15:08 0:45 0 Tariff abroad

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep
arr 17:09
17:50 0:41 0 Tariff abroad

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep
arr 17:21
18:16 0:55 0 RE Tariff abroad

Paris St Lazare
Vernon(Eure) Sa, 26.08.06
Sa, 26.08.06 dep
arr 18:48
19:29 0:41 0 Tariff abroad

HowardR

You might try the option we took: Booked one of the tours that took you up and back in a van, rather than a bus. It cost about $10-15 more than the bus tour, but it was well worth the money! And, it was was indeed very relaxing!