I'm amazed that I've filled up 10 days in Paris (on paper) but haven't left room for a trip to Giverny. I love gardens, but is this trip a "must-see?"

NO

I should have said IMO it's well worth the trip to see a dreamy sleepy oldtime French village as well as the house/gardens but it ABSOLUTELY is not a must-see for Paris IMO

no one can answer that question for you. Nothing is absolutely a "must see" in Paris for anyone (I might say Notre Dame and Eiffel Tower but just seeing them, not being in them) -- it's your trip, you have to decide for yourself. You haven't made it top priority yourself, you've picked other things you want to do and fill your time, so that may answer it.

The gardens are lovely in nice weather -- you don't say when you are going, but that might affect its "must-see" score. Your affection or not or interest in Monet would be another thing.

I didn't go there until I'd been to Paris a couple times, as I recall. I enjoyed it, certainly, but there are as pretty gardens in many places.

I loved my visit, there.

It's not Paris but the gateway to Normandy but I think it's worth seeing in late spring when the wisteria over and wrapping the Japanees bridge is in bloom.

I loved Giverney. Great gift shop too. If it had been open during my last trip, I would have gone again. But worth it? No one can answer those things for someone else.

We're not Monet fans, but we love gardens. Giverny is perhaps our least favorite garden. My wife stated that she's seen better gardens on several round-abouts in France. It was kinda unkept when we were there in early July several years ago. I enjoyed the lilly pond, however.

I would make a special trip to Villendry in the Loire, but not Giverny unless you're a Monet fan.

Stu Dudley

I love Monet. For me, the trip to Giverny was the highlight of our trip to France.

I love it. The range of answers to this question proves definitively that those "is it worth it" questions are silly and totally impossible to answer.
Sorry...it's one of my pet peeves.

whether it's worth it or a must-see i think are two very different things.

To me anyone will find it very worth it but maybe not a must-see vis-a-vis the many other attractions in Paris and Versailles itself.

Yes a very subjective question because what is a must-see to some is a bore and hassle to get to to others.

If one has 10 days for Paris and surrounding areas, and have <b>some</b> interest in Monet, then it should be on the list.

But if you just want to look at gardens and don't care who Monet is, then no.

One more opinion: It is worth the trip, but it isn't a must-see unless you are a huge Monet fan.