Driving from CDG to Giverney

I edited your title on the assumption that you were starting from CDG airport. The airport is already well outside the city, so it should be pretty easy to stick to roads that don't approach Paris. For instance, the first recommendation by Google Maps is along the N104, N184, and A15. www.viamichelin.com is another good planning tool where you can request certain features.

Thank you for that. Yes, i have noted occasional references to a scenic route that is less challenging for those of us new to driving in France. I’m exploring options for a smooth start to our travels.

My father and I did that drive in May. Sadly, I can’t speak to a more scenic route. I doubt there’s any routes that totally avoid Paris traffic. The airport is still in a busy area. When we returned from our travels a week later, we used side streets and it honestly didn’t make that much of a difference.

To get to Giverny, we used the car GPS and it took us on the Paris outer ring as the theoretically fastest route out of town. I wish I could say it wasn’t stressful at all but I’d be lying. Some of it felt like we were driving in Chicago traffic but once we got off the ring, it was fine. There were a few car accidents, which didn’t help things. In that regard, I wished we’d used Google maps to get us out of the city, then I would have switched to car GPS to save data. I find Google maps adjusts far more quickly to traffic patterns than any other devices out there.

That all being said, we survived and it really wasn’t all that bad. Your mileage might vary as my family is used to driving through Chicago as one of my brothers lives there. On the outer ring, it felt like any other major metropolitan area. I’d never drive in the ‘city city’ though.

My advice is to just let the locals go around you as you can. Use the person sitting next to you as your navigator. And you’re not in the truly busy traffic for all that long. If my 60 year old dad can manage, I bet you can, if you don’t find a better route.

Thank you so much! Basically it sounds that is still the best option. i appreciate the suggestions.

I second Laura’s suggested route. The N104 runs just north of CDG, follow direction A15 / Gercy-Pontoise. If there is time enough a visit to van Gogh’s Auvers-sur-Oise needs just a little detour.
Hitting the A15 follow direction Rouen. The A15 soon becomes D14, where you can take the exit to Guiry-en-Vexin, really lovely place or a bit further Magny-en-Vexin for driving through the lovely Vexin countryside. Certainly worth a stop is La Roche-Guyon and depending the route Ambleville too.

Leaving the D14 for Guiry-en-Vexin you have to drive from the first roundabout along a parallel road to the D159 leading to this place.

Have to say being carefull with driving long distances after a long-distance flight regarding jetlag. The route I described through the Vexin region runs through small villages and time to time narrow roads requiring extra attention regarding local (slow) traffic.

Thank you for the excellent advice.. I appreciate the notes about places to stop as well and your suggestions for caution. We can’t wait!