I'm planning a day trip to Giverny (Monet's gardens)in the next few weeks. I heard you can rent bikes from the train station. Has anyone done this? I'm trying to decide whether to take the bus from the train station or rent a bicycle. Any words of wisdom to pass along?

I realize that you are asking for a reply based on personal experience (which I cannot provide). Still, this info might be useful to you or others:

from http://giverny.org/transpor/index.htm

Rent a bike
You may rent a bike at :

- Garage Guillemard at Giverny
Fare : 15.24 euros / day. More details here.

The two coffee shops in front of Vernon's train station :
- "Bar-Restaurant du Chemin de Fer" 1 place de la Gare, Vernon
+33 232 21 16 01
Fare 12 euros/day. Caution : identity card.

- Café "Les Amis de Monet" place de la Gare ,Vernon
+33 232 51 55 16

A cycles shop in Vernon hires bikes :

- Cyclo News - 7 cours du marché aux chevaux - Vernon (near the hospital 800 m from the station) tel (0) 2 32 21 24 08
Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 to 19:30
Fare : 12.20 euros/ person a day, 7.62 euros half a day + guarantee 150 euros.
Reduced fares for 3 bikes or more : 7,62 euros / person a day.

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Best wishes,

Rex