Monet Gardens at Giverny - Crowds, crowds.

Sadly, we had the same experience in May, 2022. I had wanted to visit since my college days, and was so disappointed. Totally not worth the effort. The house was so jammed, we couldn't even get through the door. The experience is one of my unhappiest travel memories.

What time did the both of you arrive? Does it clear out after 3pm?

And our tour guide said it was a good day not crowded at all” which means in peak season it must be just beyond measure of horrible. Yes the house was packed too. I couldn’t get out fast enough. Everyone taking so long to get their perfect photo for Facebook or Instagram. Ruins the experience.

Did you go between 10 and 3 pm?

sorry you had that experience. Was that on a weekend? or weekday? Morning or afternoon?

I ask so others can benefit

Sorry to hear that you were disappointed. I went about 7 years ago, on one of the last days before it closed for the season, and it was totally delightful. Lots of late blooming zinnias in a rainbow of colors.....

I have been to this lovely place only once, in July of 1997 but not part of a tour. It is about time I go back so as to get the pictures of it on a digital camera.

We were a party of 3, had to wait standing in line for one half hour, if not a bit more in the sun, ca, 80 F then in the afternoon. The site was well attended as expected that, but such a lovely famous and serene place to spend the time was well worth it.

Our first visit many years ago was in May and it was crowded and yet we found it very enjoyable.
https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/not-so-secret-garden-giverny/
Our second visit was October 31 of 23 -- the last day of the season and we enjoyed that as well. I think one's expectations matter -- it is beautiful regardless of how many people are there. We didn't expect a zen experience but we did that first visit sit on garden benches for quite some time enjoying th view. the flowers were more spectacular in spring but it was still beautiful this last fall.

Janet, Didn’t you have to wait 30 minutes to take a particular photo on the bridge because there were so many people?

Expectations may play a big part. My September experience (pre-Covid) was crowded, but I didn’t find it overwhelming. My travel companion thought differently and couldn’t get out fast enough. She even insisted on an immediate return to Paris. I would have liked to explore Giverny a bit, but she was just wanted away from her disappointment so we were back in Paris in time for lunch.

Both times I was there people were taking turns helping people get bridge photos. We waited about 15 minutes for the wisteria photo in the blog. The bridge was less interesting without blooming witeria in the fall and people didn't have to wait long for their 'selfies'

I drove there en route to Rouen in 2022. I parked and got all the way to the entrance and was put off by the lines. Packed crowds seeking "must-see" destinations for photo ops are not my thing. But the town and walkway from the parking lot to the place were wonderful and I had lunch at the Museum of Impressionism. Lunch was nice, then I left. No urge to return, but never say never.

I was there on April just after opening. Lots of space and very easy to enjoy the gardens.

We were there pre Covid in early October and enjoyed it immensely. We arrived at opening (we had stayed in a nearby hotel the night before) and there were only a handful of people in front of us. While there were more people as the morning wore on, I never thought of it as being overly crowded. But my attention was focused on the gardens, and not really on the other tourists.

I have visited the gardens early June around noon in 2010 and there were many visitors but not crowded at all, not annoying or so and enjoyed it. Nowadays I avoid these places like the plague or maybe try to visit as early or late as possible during the day to avoid the crowds.

The gardens are nice but not stunning to my idea, so not that special to see them as “must-see”. Visited a few years later park Domaine Villarceaux a half hour driving north of it and is really stunning and only a handful of people there. Even the free entrance I had the whole place to myself as a matter of speaking. Thinking back there to Giverny I was questioning why people fly all the way from the other side of the planet just to see a garden that is nice but not outstanding.

I know saying this I certainly hurt feelings but I’m not talking about or criticize those really love Monet’s paintings and a visit to Giverny is part of the experience and visiting understandable. I talk more about herd behaviour, once belonged to a famous painter those just want to see it because for the sake of the bucketlist. Think that is the majority of the visitors and if it is just for that skip it and do a favour for those Monet has a special place in their hearts. It’s a nice garden but in terms of beauty (know it’s subjective) it doesn’t stand out compared to the beautiful places to experience in the area there but surprisingly are overlooked.

Hi,
I'm sorry it sucked for you. I had a different experience: I went on a Monday in October, 2018, at 9:00AM and was able to enjoy it completely with very few other guests at that time. This was, of course, pre-Covid and off season....

We were there in September of 2022 and had a very pleasant experience. We stayed about 15 minutes away and got there at opening.

The gardens weren't mobbed and we had no trouble getting pictures. The house was busier (we did that last), but not wall to wall people.

Jazz+Travels, the OP said that she went before lunch time, so I would imagine it was between 10-12.

Wish you would have titled it My experience rather than skip it!

We did not experience any of the crowds mentioned here a few years ago. It was a total delight, no waiting for anything. Don’t skip it rather go to France in less crowded seasons.

I think what Suki says about choosing a less crowded season is key. I went in October of 2022. There were a healthy number of people there, but far from the point of causing misery. I loved it. One thing I have noticed - a lot of people seem to think that the Gardens are by far at their most beautiful and worthwhile in the Spring. Even the proprietor of my B&B seemed regretful that I hadn’t visited in the Spring, but I tried to reassure him that I was happy with the Fall plantings.

We were there 3 weeks ago in late April on a Wednesday, had lunch in the village, then entered the gardens at 1:30ish. It wasn't empty, but also not so busy as to ruin the experience. Yes, there was a wait to get the best photo on the bridge, but nowhere near 30 minutes. As others have said, I think people should manage their expectations and pre-plan as much as possible. Will you ever be in Giverny alone for the perfect inspiring zen experience? No, you won't, and every photo will probably have a few other visitors "lurking" in the background. But...you can set yourself up for the best visit. Pre-book tickets so you don't have to wait in the walk-up line, don't pick the busiest times of day or a weekend if you can help it, etc. The original poster mentioned they were part of a tour group - I wonder if that was part of the disappointment. Did they enter in a clump all moving at the same speed on narrow paths, trying to squeeze into a house with small rooms and narrow staircases at the exact same moment? Be flexible. If the house is too busy, wander the gardens for a while to wait for that family group to work their way through. If it's too cloudy to get your perfect photo of the lily ponds, go visit the house and return to the ponds a bit later when the clouds break up.

One final comment. Rick and Cameron have both been quite vocal in the guidebooks and/or their social media that Europe is BUSY these days, especially as more and more people are travelling post-pandemic. I think it's a bit unrealistic to think a famous attraction like Giverny would be a site for quiet individual inspiration, especially if you arrive mid-day with a tour group.

Richard S. No, we did not “enter in a clump all moving at the same speed on narrow paths, trying to squeeze into a house with small rooms and narrow staircases at the exact same moment.”

I was not looking for the Zen meditative experience, or a place to sketch, or even take the Instagram pics so popular now.

Yes, my expectations were “managed” I knew to expect people, small gardens, small house. I merely wanted to enjoy a walk around the garden and through the house without shuffling my feet inches at a time to move forward, without bumping shoulders with other people.

RS does a disservice IMO. He knows Europe is busy and popular sites are overrun. There is no longer a “back door” in Europe. I think it would be better to focus on new alternatives, I.e.. “see this, not that” options. Europe is big, and overlooked, less visited places exist.

only problem then, what if you really want to see the iconic artists homes - like Renoir and Monet? They are well off the beaten path, and require a bit of effort to include in a holiday?

So RS does what you say and then he says it will be busy - don't go there - but you go anyway, and then run into the crowds which have found it through different guidebooks and from different countries.

Will your experience have been different, other than somebody different to complain to?

So far, for RS tours in Rome, the Forum, Coliseum, Vatican Museums, and Pompeii are not visited by tours because of the crowds... Is that right or wrong?

For Renoir you can go to Essoyes an hour driving south-east of Troyes. I visited it in 2010 and had the idea being the only visitor there and that’s the reason I question why one place is completely overrun and the other actually completely overlooked. His studio was undergoing renovation so bad luck couldn’t going inside and as far as I know the family home there not open to public yet, so visited only his grave in the nearby cemetry.

I know it’s inconvenient to remark but if most are true art lovers you must see there at least some visitors too, but that wasn’t the case. So if you go to there, you go off the beaten path and can have a crowd free experience there for sure.

@Nigel,

Specifically Monet is not off the beaten path as it’s an advertised day trip from Paris. Renoir, IDK. I also am unfamiliar with RS guided tours of Rome and what is published about them either in the books, shows, or the booking website.

With the general situation as you have described, I personally would choose to not go, and look for another experience. But others may choose and plan differently. Being well informed is key. I also add, it’s important to know yourself and whether one is comfortable in heavy crowds or no.

On a guided tour, customers are constrained by the trip design and have no choice in timing the visit. I did however have a choice to stay, instead I left asap. I found a great restaurant for lunch that will give me a pleasant memory.

diannemil and others,
The New York Times travel section just yesterday featured Le Havre, the birthplace of Impressionism, where Monet painted his first Impressionist style painting, "Impression, Sunrise". The article, written by Elaine Sciolino, mentions Muma, the Musee d'Art Moderne Andre Malraux. She says it has the "most important collection of Impressionist paintings outside the Musee d'Orsay".
(Alas, I cannot forward the link as I have used up my allotment of shared articles for the month.)
So for those of you who have been to the d'Orsay, the Marmottan, Giverny and Rouen, you can just continue heading westward and lap up some more delightful art!
Amusez-vous bien!

@Judy, Thank you! Learned something new today.

Here is the unlocked Monet article from the NYT.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/10/travel/impressionism-france-le-havre.html?unlocked_article_code=1.r00.Fdg3.TzIf97IBipkw&smid=url-share

We were in Le Havre last May for 5 days. We have an interest in architecture and it is known for a number of mid century buildings. I went to the Impressionist museum. Not only is the art wonderful but the building sits on a stunning location overlooking the ocean. I had each painting to myself as it was not at all crowded.