I was just checking pricing for Paris to Giverny (Vernon) and see that the cheapest rates are gone but I can still get 2nd class fares. Will these probably be sold out for departure (around 8 a.m) by the time I arrive mid-June? Should I go ahead and book them now?
Also, when booking return tickets, is there much to see in Vernon or surroundings? Not sure how much time I should allow for the house, gardens, and any surrounding areas. My granddaughter is a huge Monet fan and I like to wander if there is anything culturally interesting, but don't want to book a late evening return if there's not enough to keep us there that long.
Posted by
Green Bay
21150 posts
The "J" train to Vernon is an unreserved, all 2nd class Transilien train. Just get a ticket and go. more or less one train every hour. http://www.transilien.com/?siteLanguage=en
Posted by
Chicago
8551 posts
I'd buy the ticket the day before as the lines can be long -- we missed the train to Vernon because we had to stand in line over an hour for tickets; the machines that locals used don't take US magnetic or chip and signature cards and so the only locals in the block long line had complicated scheduling issues. We just used the tickets the next day. These are unreserved regional trains and there is no point in reserving on line.
Posted by
OP
Hot Springs, AR
47 posts
Thank you Sam and Janet. This is just what I needed to know, plus some. Will buy tickets the day before going to avoid missing that train!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14731 posts
As far as how long it takes, some of that will depend on how crowded it is! If you take the 8AM train, go to the house first as it gets jammed up, then spend your time in the gardens. A friend and I got to the house before there was a line, did the house and gardens, walked thru town, shopped a little, ate lunch and headed back to Paris mid afternoon. I can't remember exactly, but it seems like we were there from about 9-930 to around 3 including a slow-ish lunch. We planned to get there right when the house/gardens opened.
From the station exit you will head to the buses which are lined up to the right and pay the driver for the round-trip bus ticket to Giverny. Have some cash for this (maybe 4€ or so?).
Do get your tickets to enter the house and gardens ahead of time. I had trouble using my credit card at the online site, but my friend's went thru fine.
Your granddaughter is going to love this!
Posted by
OP
Hot Springs, AR
47 posts
Thank you Pam. I've already bought the tickets for the house and gardens, thanks to advice from someone on this forum. It's nice to know that we will probably have some time left for the evening in Paris after returning from a hopefully beautiful day in Giverny.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14731 posts
Even if it is not such a nice day it will be beautiful. We arrived there with things fogged in and oh my! I was set to be slightly disappointed but things just looked atmospherically Monet!