manlygirl

Do I need to reserve a return ticket on the train from Paris to Vernon? Is is cheaper to book ahead on the Rail Europe site? How long should I allow for seeing Monet's house and having a look around the town? Is there anything I should spend time doing there?

Gordon_R

There's no need to book train tickets in advance, plenty of space on board. We just bought our tickets from the machine at St Lazaire - it's a (relatively) cheap 50-minute journey each way so I'm not sure if you could get any advance discounts on this.

We took almost a whole day to see Monet's house and gardens at a relaxed pace, combined with a nice lunch and a walk through the village (some old houses, cafes and the church are worth visiting).

FrenchMystiqueTours

DO NOT use the RailEurope website as they don't show all the trains and have higher prices. You don't need to pre-purchase tickets for this journey as the prices are fixed and you save no money buying ahead. Trains leave from Gare Saint-Lazare so just go to the ticket window when you arrive and buy your tickets. You'll get two individual tickets, one for the tip to Vernon and one for the return trip. Ask for open tickets which are not date or time specific so you can choose which train you want to leave and and return to Paris. Don't forget to validate your tickets by putting them into the ticket stamping machines at the beginning of the platforms. Do the same before the return journey from Vernon. You can get info on train schedules and prices using www.capitainetrain.com. You can also use www.voyages-sncf.com and if it redirects you to RailEurope then change your ticket collection country to Antarctic.

Buy your ticket for Monet's house and gardens on-line ahead of time and print it at home so you don't stand in a potentially long ticket line once you arrive. Most people spend between 1 to 2 hours in the house and gardens. Depends on your level of interest. There is also a museum in town to visit and you can enjoy a stroll around the village and maybe some of the walking paths on its outskirts. Vernon itself is a nice little town to visit. Look at the tourist office websites for Giverny and Vernon to learn what else to see and do.

http://fondation-monet.com/en/
http://giverny.org/giverny/
http://giverny.org/gardens/index.htm
http://www.vernon-visite.org/index.shtml

ParisAmsterdam

Lines can be long for tickets at the office... we had to run to make our train. So either get there good and early or buy the tickets a day or 2 before.

There's a yellow machine at the entrance to your track... insert ticket to get it stamped.

Gordon_R

>>Lines can be long for tickets at the office...<<

Use the ticket machine.

PalenQ

Use the ticket machine.>

Probably won't take American credit cards without the special security strip - does it take banknotes?

You can buy that ticket at any station in Paris.

Christina

At least you can buy the return ticket when you get the first one, so you'll save time that way. You can also buy tickets at one of the many SNCF boutiques around town without going to a station.

FrenchMystiqueTours

The ticket machines do not accept cash and they most likely won't take a non chip and PIN credit card.

Gordon_R

>>Probably won't take American credit cards without the special security strip - does it take banknotes?<<

And why should that be a concern to the Australian OP? I believe chip and pin cards have been around for a while in Australia.

schnauzer

Don't forget to visit the American Impressionist Art Museum in Giverny too, great paintings. Have lunch at Hotel Baudy at the other end of the village to Monet's garden.

Try and catch the 8am train from Paris, this gives you a full day to wander around if the weather is good, and less crowds. You can also walk right around the village and see the churchyard

I tend to buy my tickets the day before at an SNCF boutique, that way you are not stressed trying to catch the train. It is a great day, when are you going?

PalenQ

I've walked from Vernon to Giverney - a lovely 3 or 4 mile stroll, mainly along an abandoned rail line following the Seine - you also do not want to miss the quiet local village cemetery where Monet is interred with a nice tombstone - at the far western end of the village. So if not in a hurry take a nice hike!

manlygirl

So many helpful replies. Thanks everyone.

mamcalice

If it is a pleasant day, have lunch on the terrace of the American Impressionist Museum. It is a short walk from Monet's house and garden

PalenQ

Yes explore the Giverny outside the Money House area - a quiet sleepy village - go to the far west end to see the local cemetery with Monet's tomb.