My DH & I are planning to accompany my parents to Paris in September. It will most likely be my mother's last trip to the city she loves as she has Alzheimer's. My parents have never been to Giverny despite spending a lot of time in France. Is it worth going in September? We went in June when the gardens were spectacular but am not sure what the gardens will be like in September.

Then if we go I think it will be too much for my elderly (oh I am so glad they don't read Fodors because they don't think of themselves as elderly at 93 and 88) parents to take the train and bus. Would renting a car for the day make sense and where would be the best place to pick up a car while avoiding the worst of Paris traffic? We went on the early train in an attempt to avoid the crowds. Will it be a zoo at mid afternoon?

TIA.

You won't see much oh the beauty in September. The beauty is in the spring when everything especially the wisteria is in bloom but still if they want to see it. it's still beautiful with the Japaneese bridge and the lily pond and visiting the house. Should you go, have lunch at the Antiene Hotel Baudy, no longer a hotel where all the impressionists from America stayed to be near Monet.
In back, there is the artists studio. I snapped a great photo of the inside which I gave to them.
Also there is the Impressionists museum down the road.

You can visit the Giverny website to see what will be blooming in September. There is a month-by month calender.

http://giverny.org/gardens

We went last year in early October. It was not fully blooming, but I loved it any way. It was far from crowded, we were able to actually take pictures on the "bridge" over the lilies with out a single soul on it!

We are also going in September, probably taking the train and hopefully a cab not the bus.

My friends wanted to take a tour there, there are many if you google it. To me it seemed like it was just a ride there and back for about 70E and since there would be six of us I thought that we could go by train and save a bundle for shopping, maybe you might like this option.

Renting a car for a day is very expensive since most will charge you for a three day minimum. When I have wanted to rent a car for a day it was about $175 so the tour for three would be about the same price without the hassle of traffic etc.

We were there early September last year on a Sunday morning. I will never forget it. The blooms were spectacular. JCG

We visited in September and thought it was well worth it, though very crowded. It was a Wednesday afternoon and crawling with students (I think on their off afternoon).

We had a car and drove through La Roche-Guyon which is at a bend of the Seine, and up some of Michelin's green roads into the hills. There are great views of the Seine from the cliffs above. This would give you a really nice day in the country, especially if you can fit in lunch at a good restaurant.

It will be fine in September - not the full, gorgeous display of early and mid-summer, but you won't even know about the difference. Enjoy!

We enjoyed Monet's house as much as the gardens.

On our last trip to Paris we went to Giverny during the second week of October, and it was simply lovely! The planted gardens were not at their best, perhaps, but the trees, foliage, and winding paths on the grounds around the ponds were just delightful. We caught the 7:10 train, and arrived before the crowds to enjoy a wonderful visit. The home was a treasure, and (damnit) my dear Wife LOVED the gift shop.

Plus, there is so much of interest just inside the house (I had no idea of his Asian influences, for example, until the first time I went) - you'll be fine.

I haven't been there in September, but there is still much to see and enjoy. If it is the last time you think your parents would be there, I think it's a good plan. I had a car when I was there, given up before arriving in Paris, but I think I would choose the train rather than a rental car. The connection is supposed to be easy.

AGM, having travelled to Holland last year with my "elderly" mother [now a sprightly 81] I do think that a car is really the only option, especially with someone who may be a little confused at times.

I don't know how long you are going to be in Paris but could you manage an overnight? you could leave Paris in the afternoon, have a nice evening somewhere, then go to Giverny early[ish] the next morning, returning to Paris in the afternoon.

If you rent the car and/or do an overnight you can look at my trip report about exploring the countryside near Giverny for ideas: http://tinyurl.com/362xrle

There are other alternatives as well so let me know if you need further ideas.

AGM - we were there last week...oh so fabulous! We spent tome with Michael Osman and I asked him about September. He enjoys the gardens through the end of September. The fruit trees are filled with fruit and the rich fall colors are abundant. Of course it is all about timing, but it sounds like you will be in for a treat!

nay nay nay nattering nay-bobs - we were there near the end of Sept. / early Oct and there was still a fabulous display of nature's glories. Lots and lots of dahlias which have a wide range of colors and forms. The water lilies were just about finished but it was still just a wonderful day. There is a website - google Givirney, that will give a more complete listing.

We drove, but not from Paris so I suppose alot of that depends how comfortable you are with driving - I'm sure there are small group mini-vans tours that might work for your group. But we definately felt it was worth our time. We bought tickets ahead of time thru the webiste - there were plenty of people there that day so obviously there were others who thought there was something to see in the fall!