That basically is my question. I have to admit I have rarely been disappointed using a guide. Any recommendations?
Posted by
Orinda, California, United States
307 posts
The town is so small - not sure why you would consider a guide. The gardens, the museum, all - are basically on one road through town.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8972 posts
The house and the gardens are so small that a guide should be unnecessary. There is little to no art in the house to need explanation.
Posted by
41 posts
We visited as a group of 6 at the end of May 2016. Even though it was rainy and chilly, the gardens were crowded. It helped to have a guide move us along. She brought along a book of Monet paintings and showed us the view associated with various ones. We could probably have done all of this ourselves, but we hadn't done any research. The other plus that a guide brings is that they can purchase advance tickets and get a jump on the lines.
Posted by
Ohio
2161 posts
Hi Joan, we did a Fat Tire Bike Tour to Giverny last year and enjoyed it very much. We met the guide at a train station in Paris and rode to Giverny where we picked up the bikes. We shopped at the market for a picnic then set out for a short ride. After lunch we rode the rest of the way to Giverny and parked the bikes. The guide gave us tickets to the house and gardens and we set out on our own. We had time to see everything, including Monet's grave at the church, before meeting again for the ride back. It was a fun day. You don't need a guide for the house or gardens, it's self-explanatory. Hope you enjoy your trip! 🙂
Posted by
North Georgia, USA
1155 posts
Get there early, before the official opening time if possible, to minimize the line to buy tickets. We stopped early morning in route to Normandy last June and the line was pretty short. No tour needed, but it can be crowded. I'd get in and head over to the water lily pond first so you can see it and take photos without having a bunch of people in your pictures.
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
We went (a group of 8) and did not have a guide. We walked all thru the gardens and then into the house. I don't feel a guide was necessary (lots of signage to explain things)
We went thru the museum/gift shop and then walked thru the town to the cemetery.
It is a very cute little town.
Then back to the parking lot for the bus back to the train station and train back into Paris.
All was very easy. (note: we did purchase our admission tickets online before our trip - because we were there the first day of the annual opening (spring))