Best way to visit Monet's Garden and the Versaille Palace in April

You could do both of these as day trips from Paris after taking the Eurostar train thru the channel tunnel.

Are you just looking to spend one night in the area before heading south?

Most people make both of these visits by public transportation. Although considerable walking can be involved (of course taxis are always an option if you can afford it), the RER trains go from many Paris stops to Versailles. Regular railroad trains go frequently to Vernon, where you can (we did) rent a bicycle to get to Giverny. Because we went so many years ago, I suggest you perhaps use the Search box to see if current posters on this board have found it hard to get Giverny tickets at the last minute. If you post again, give the month and year of the trip.

Of course there are plenty of Tour company outings, but these are very easy excursions, and a good way to learn to see Europe cheaply on your own.

Are you aware that Eurostar tickets are much cheaper bought (non-refundable, non-exchanageable) three months in advance?

Our host has a lot of free train hints top left blue menu.

Edit: Are you saying that you won't spend any nights in Paris????????????

We returned a rental car that we picked up elsewhere in Vernon. You could use the rental car to visit Giverny and then return at the train station in Vernon (the town right by Giverny). However, both Monet's Garden and Versailles are easily visited via public transportation from Paris. I don't feel like a tour is necessary unless you are trying to visit both in one day, which I can't even imagine because I feel like each is a day long activity.

I'm also confused, I don't see where a car fits into any of this plan, at least until Avignon.

The Eurostar will take you right to Paris Gare du Nord, no reason to rent a car there. A car is a big liability for sightseeing and getting around in central Paris.

From Paris Gare St-Lazare there are trains to Vernon and a short bus ride to the Monet site at Giverny. This website provides a lot of information.

From many points in Paris you can get the RER "C5," a commuter train that goes to Versailles Rive-Gauche station, a short walk from the chateau and gardens. Be sure to take that line to that station, other "C" trains go elsewhere.

I would not try to see both Giverny and Versailles on the same day, even with an organized tour. Versailles is vast, getting between there and Giverny takes time even if someone is driving you, and taking trains from one to the other via Paris would take even longer. You'd spend most of that day on road or rails or both.

Your reference to "spend one night in Giverny and then tour the palace" suggests that maybe you want to rent a car in Vernon (near Giverny) the day after visiting the Monet site and drive to Versailles, where you could turn it in and take the RER back into Paris. That might work if time is of the essence and you don't want to spend the night in Paris, but it seems like an awkward way to see both sites on consecutive days. Why not spend that night right in Paris and skip the driving?

Trains from Paris to Avignon leave from Gare de Lyon and take 2-3 hours depending on the train. A hotel near there might simplify your departure.

I'm going to agree with the others. Renting a car and driving to Giverny and then Versailles is needlessly complicated. Take the Eurostar into Paris (buy your train tickets as far in advance as possible) on one of the first trains in the morning. Remember that there is a 1 hour time change. Go to Gare St Lazare and go to Giverny for the afternoon. Return to Paris that night and take the RER out to Versailles the next morning. I wouldn't recommend tickets to Avignon (departs from Gare de Lyon) until late afternoon/early evening.

Of course you have the problem of where to store your luggage while you do all this. AFAIK, there are no luggage storage facilities at Gare St Lazare, Giverny, or Versailles. You could ask your Paris hotel to hold your bags for you, but this will add time at both ends.

I absolutely agree that a car is not needed and in fact, a hindrance to visit Versaille and Giverny. Wasn't clear on what OP was planning. For us, returning a car in Vernon, was an easy point after using it in Brittany and Normandy.