Monet's house and gardens

We did book in advance in order to avoid waiting in line when we got there this September. It is my understanding that it is usually possible to get admission when you get there, but you may have to wait. Not sure about June Booking in advance actually caused us a little worry when we happened to try and catch the Paris to Vernon train on Sept 10, the same day as the first French protest/work stoppage, and no trains were available. We had our hotel call to see if there was any recourse and were told that the tickets would be honored the next day (or even the following day). So the next day we went out there and were let in at the timed entrance gate without any fuss. Even in September at 3pm there was a significant crowd, although not too crowded.
-Bruce

We booked the house and gardens in advance for a visit last week. We made the reservation about 6 weeks before and there were plenty of tickets.

Maybe book these tickets, then pick a train. Btw, the official shuttle from the station to the gardens worked like a charm.

You can book closer to the date and try to get the first entry time. I went off peak last year last week of October. It rained buckets the day before and the benches in the garden still damp.

George:
Good to hear that the navette (shuttle) worked well for you, we had a little trouble. After about 40 minutes waiting with 3 other folks a shuttle bus showed up, but after unloading his passengers, the driver would not let us board. Apparently, another bus was coming in about 15 minutes. So we waited about an hour to get the shuttle.
FYI the shuttle bus stop is marked with a sign and located approximately 50 meters SE of the train station entrance along Rue de la Gare.
Also when we went there was not a train departure from Paris at around 1pm (13:00), only 12:00 & 2pm (14:00). We assumed this was for a lunch break, but check the train schedules when you go, this may vary.
-Bruce

We booked the house and gardens in advance for a visit last week. We made the reservation about 6 weeks before and there were plenty of tickets.

Yes, there are far fewer people interested in visiting Monet's Gardens in October than there will be in June.

(In other words, do not extrapolate plenty of tickets in October to there being plenty of tickets in June.)

We went in May but without reservations, thought we could just wing it. Nope, beautiful area, but long lines by late morning. Ate lunch and left.

I likewise went at the end of May, early June on a drive from Paris to Rouen. I didn't have reservations and the lines were too long for my tastes. I figured that meant it would also be crowded inside. So I ate lunch at the café at the Museum of Impressionism and headed to points further West. Pretty town though.

sherry,
Definitely book in advance. If you can make an early time, you will get in before the large tour groups. Visit the gardens first while not so crowded. The house is interesting, but small and you can go through it fairly fast. It is the gardens that wow one.

I would book in advance. As a bonus, with an advance booking, you get access to a side entrance that gets you really close to the water lily pond, so you don't have to battle the crowds too much within the garden (only on the way back to the house).

We went on the last Thursday, June, 2025, arriving about 3:30. It was not crowded at that time. The gardens close at 6:00. Two plus hours was enough time for us - it is not a huge site.