My wife is thinking about going to Giverny on a Friday early in October, but is concerned about transportation. How crowded do people think the bus from the train is likely to be (and along those lines, are there disadvantages to an October Friday visit - crowds, condition of gardens, etc.)?
Posted by
Sacramento, California U.S.A.
10600 posts
I went on a Friday in October. I don't have anything to compare it to, so I don't know if it was more or less crowded than any other weekday. We got off the train and quickly headed to the bus. We didn't have trouble getting on, but I think a few people didn't make it. I took a picture of the bus schedule after we arrived at Giverny so we would know the timetable for getting back to Vernon.
I don't see why the day of the week would affect the condition of the gardens. I was there mid-month and it was beautiful. It was well worth going as far as I was concerned.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
I don't remember the day of the week we were there, but we were there in October. I remember the gardens were starting to look a bit ragged at the end of the season, but were still pretty. The fall light at the pond was stunning, and IMO the pond is what it is all about anyway. It did not seem particularly crowded to me, but we were driving, so didn't have to rely on a bus.
Posted by
Durham, NC, USA
335 posts
I've been there in late September (not October) and the gardens in front of the house were at about 2/3 of their full blooming - and still beautiful! I prefer the colorful exuberance of this garden over the quieter elegance of the water lily pond (just my personal preference). Since you're taking the train and won't be as rushed to leave as the big-bus tour groups, try to leave time to have lunch at La Musardiere, which is very near Monet's home at 123, rue Claude Monet. It has a lovely shaded terrace and really good crepes (especially the salted caramel one!)
Posted by
Happy Valley, PA
672 posts
This past May, we took a cab to the gardens from the Vernon Train Station. Just walked up to the taxi stand outside of the station and a cab arrived in about one minute. The fare (for the three of us) was about 15 Euro total. We also took a cab back ; had the restaurant call one for us.