Giverny in mid-May

it's worth a visit if you don't think you'll ever have the opportunity to go again or when the water lilies are blooming. People go and enjoy the place not just for the water lilies. It's easy to get there from Paris and not expensive.

Elizabeth,
In 2017 we went in very early May and the gardens were wonderful, full of tulips and so many other flowers. The whole place was a joy. I certainly didn't notice if the water lilies were in bloom, but I didn't miss them if they weren't there. Go and enjoy! There will be an abundance of flowers!

Oh yes, I vote yes on going!

The train from Paris is pretty easy. Download the SNCF app. You would not need to buy the train ticket until a few days before. You might want to get the Giverny Entry ticket soon.

Here is a link to what IS blooming in May.

https://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/calendar.htm

Check on the train app to verify the trains are running because there are planned construction disruptions for the second weekend in May.

Here was our May visit 15 years ago:
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/not-so-secret-garden-giverny/
I would be surprised if there is much wisteria as it is almost done in Paris although we did have it when we were there in May. We were there after most bulb flowers were done and before there were a lot of roses, but it was still lovely and there were plenty of water lilies flowering.

We went on April 2nd this year, There was plenty of beauty there and it wasn't too crowded (I easily got a pic of my daughter on a Japanese bridge, which I heard is hard to do in the busier times). I'm glad we went even if there weren't waterlilies.

Many thanks for your very helpful replies!!! I have bought train tickets and Giverny tickets for May 14. Thank you again.

We were there at a busy time the first time in May years ago and although busy people took turns taking each other's pictures on the bridge. I still use that picture at the top of my travel blog www.janettravels.wordpress.com We went last fall on the last day it was open at the end of October and it was not at all crowded -- a little ratty here and there, but still lots of flowers and pretty.

We were there the end of May 2024 and it was raining. Even though it was umbrella-to-umbrella and full of people, it was still beautiful and a lovely experience. The gardens were in full bloom. Everyone had their photo ops. People were so considerate and the mood was jovial.

If you want to have lunch, I recommend Restaurant Baudy for its old-world interior and lovely gardens in the back. A stroll through the town is a delight. We paid homage to Monet and his family at their grave sites. Below is a helpful website for flowers that are in bloom for each month:
https://giverny.org/gardens/fcm/calendar.htm

Janettravels44 and Lindy, thank you very much for your helpful replies.