Monet garden from Paris
 

Hi Guys,

I'm taking the plane to Paris tonight and we are very excited

I know this is last minute dicision but is there a way we travel from paris to Monet Garden Giverny in one day? If yes please let me know the way.

I try to seach on google but what i can find is a car drive map only. No train.

Appreciate your help

Thank you!

Gosh, can't believe you couldn't find it online. You take the train from Paris to Vernon, then a bus or walk or whatever and you're there. It might take a half day. Do your research ahead of time so you know the logistics and what you're seeing.

Regarding tickets, do we need to buy online or can buy on spot?

Thanks

It's not hard to find online: http://giverny.org/transpor/

Do you have Rick Steves Paris or France guidebook? He covers extensively how to do it on your own as a day trip from Paris. If you don't have one, the hotels sometimes have a copy left by other travelers. You can also buy an online version for Kindle reader (if you have a kindle, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, PC, Mac, Blackberry or Android). I think you can buy the download book even after getting to Paris. There are Barnes and Noble ebook version also but you cannot buy a book outside the US. All the tickets needed for the trip to Giverny can be bought as you go. The train leaves early in the morning to beat the big bus crowds that seem to pour into the garden continuously soon after the opening time.

This topic is extensively covered in this forum:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rchase-tix.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...to-giverny.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...from-paris.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...from-paris.cfm

Assuming you can read this while in Paris....

- Go online and buy your tickets instructions are here... you will need a way to print them. http://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/ticket/ If you can't, go to a FNAC store to buy them. They are good any day.

- Go to any SNCF train station or boutique and buy your train tickets. Buy return tickets (aller-retour)... won't save money but saves time. Cost about 27 euros.

- Take the earliest train from Gare St Lazare to Vernon. When you exit the station (follow the foot prints painted on the ground) you'll see a bus parked ahead on the right side of the road. Have some small bills or euro coins... far about 6.5 euros. Or rent a bike from the cafe... you'll see them. You can even walk... takes about 45 minutes.

- Assuming you take the bus, once you walk toward the gardens from the car park you'll see a group entrance. You can enter here since you have your tickets... this allows you to get to the lily pond and Japanese bridge before a crowd arrives.

- Work your way back up to the house and allow time to browse in the gift shop as you leave... it's in Monet's studio and it is one of the best gift shops you'll encounter.

- Chances are you'll get back to Paris early to mid afternoon... we found it was just right for visiting the Jaquemart-Andre Museum... it's an easy walk from Gare St Lazare
and they have a wonderful cafe for an afternoon tea and cake.

Bon voyage!

BTW... if you choose to buy your train tickets at Gare St Lazare when you leave be prepared to wait for half an hour or more in the ticket line.

Good advice---Have a great trip.
We'll be watching for your trip report.