Hello All….We are looking for a small group tour to Giverny / Monet Gardens that starts late morning and includes a guide for the trip including the gardens. We would also like some time in the village before returning back to Paris. In researching the two tours recommended in the Rick Steve’s Paris Book, we’ve had difficulty determining if the midday tours are only for people in specific hotels or where we can meet for either of these tours and confirming if they include a guide.We will be staying at the Le Meridian at the Arc de Triomphe (17th Arrondissement) in late September. Any help would be appreciated. Till
Posted by
8 posts
hi - we went to Giverny in April this year, taking the train there ourselves and then boarding the tram to that meets the train. The Gardens are pretty compact and there is not much space to walk around on the paths. There was a long line to tour the inside of the home too. It was all very interesting and I am glad we went. Not sure how much more you would get out of a guide over just going on your own, just my opinion.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3611 posts
tilmafresh,
Just so you are aware, leaving Paris late morning will have you arriving at the gardens at the most crowded times, when many tour groups are there, making it very crowded walking around the gardens. Giverny is easy to do on one's own, if you would consider that. I would catch an early train and get there when it first opens (reserve the earliest time possible). You will be able to wander and enjoy the gardens so much more without the press of people.
Re the tours recommended, my best guess is you would meet at the specific hotel, but do not need to be staying there. (This is assuming that what he mentions is not part of one of the full RS tours.) To be picked up at your own hotel, to me, implies a private tour for your group. I imagine that would be pricey. Have you checked on Trip Advisor? They should have multiple mentions of tours for Monet's Gardens from Paris.
We have always driven ourselves en route from Paris to another place, so I have no personal experience about the trains.
Do a search (in the search bar above) with something like "Tours of Monet's Gardens from Paris". Then filter for Travel Forum, then 1 year or less. You should find some discussions about Giverny there. It will take a little digging but you may find what you are looking for.
Bonne chance!
Posted by
Paris
7992 posts
If you can't go early in the morning, consider the afternoon. Getting to the gardens around 14:30/15:00 still leaves plenty of time and is quieter than in the middle of the day. You can have lunch in the village before your visit.
And I find the garden to be very self-explanatory (and the house to be unpleasant, busy as it is), so a guide doesn't seem that important to me.
Posted by
Sarasota,FL
511 posts
Agree with the other posters, Giverny is easily seen on your own. The garden paths and house are narrow and would not be good to tag along with even 10 people. You want to sit and enjoy the garden especially around the lily pond. Take the first train to Vernon the get the bus or tram to the gardens. The bus or tram will meet the train, so don’t wander off. It is recommended to buy advanced timed ticket to Giverny. Going later in the day sounds like a good idea since it is after the crowds. We have gone early and stood in the long lines to buy tickets. There is a separate entrance for advanced tickets. Eat lunch outside in the little town and wander around. Then go meet your bus or tram. Be sure to get the return times. This is a must see for gardeners and Monet enthusiasts.