We will be in Paris the week of April 10. We're interested in seeing Monet's gardens in Giverny, but are wondering if much would be blooming at that time? Also, is it easy to get to via public transportation?

Spring flowers should be blooming unless the weather has been problematic.
By train: from Gare St Lazare, take SNCF train toward Rouen, get off at Vernon. The ticket/information office at St. Lazare will give you an English brochure about Giverny as well as complete train and bus schedules.
From Vernon, take a bus or cab to Giverny. If you take a taxi, you'll need to call one in order to have one come out to get you to return you to the Vernon station.
www.fondation-monet.com

Have you thought of signing up for the Fat Tire bike tour to Giverny/Monet's Gardens. We did the tour in September, 2005 and loved it. Call up Fat Tire on the web for more information. Hope you do get to Monet's gardens - beautiful and had flowers galore in September - which we thought might be bloomed out.

The wisteria over the bridge usually doen't bloom til May. The Water lilies July-August.

We were in Giverny on April 1 last year, which was opening day for the gardens. The buds were just starting on some trees, and some of the flowers were starting to bloom. It was a highlight of our trip, and we did not miss the full blooms at all. Each stage of a garden is unique, and we enjoyed the early spring.

When we got off the train in Vernon, there was a line for the buses.To the left of the train station, there was a taxi line which we took. The driver was so nice and although we had some language difficulties, we had a private tour guide on the way. We arranged to have him pick us up in the afternoon, and when we left the gardens, he was there waiting for us. We toured the town of Vernon before taking the train home. There was an awesome bakery there, and a toy store that had some cute little dolls I brought back home for gifts.

Thanks for your advice. I think we'll plan to go to Giverny.