Touring Monet's Gardens

why would you need a 'tour' to walk around a garden and pond?

You should certainly be able to get there by train by then.

It is also a tour of his home. My question should really have been about the shuttle bus from the train station in Vernon going to Giverney. What are its hours of operation?

The official website of the Monet House & Garden, the only place to buy your tickets, provides excellent information on how to reach the House&Garden. This information includes a link to the website with the timetable and all other details of the shuttle https://claudemonetgiverny.fr/en/useful-information/#acces

What Dutch traveler said.

My friend and I visited Monet's garden at Giverny 3 weeks ago. We rode the 8:14 train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon and had tickets to enter Giverny at 9:30.

When we arrived at the Vernon station, as recommended by previous Travel Forum posts, we proceeded quickly to public transportation (did not stop to use the restroom). I expected to have two public transportation options to Giverny:
1. locally operated bus
2. an open air miniature type trackless "train" reminiscent of a carnival ride

Instead, no locally operated bus was waiting at the station. About 50 people walked quickly to the only option, the "train." The operator told us payment in CASH (10 Euros round trip) was required. Initially we did not get a seat; I was upset because I didn't know how we would get to Giverny by 9:30 (no taxis were at the station). Then, several people exited the "train" because they didn't have cash to pay the fare, so we got spaces.

My advice is: when you arrive at the Vernon train station, quickly proceed to whatever public transportation is available.

In reading Elizabeth’s experience, I also recommend downloading the Bolt app which is similar to Uber. I was in Vernon with friends in October 2024. Our train was delayed and the shuttle buses were out of sequence. One friend used the Bolt app and a ride was there in maybe 5-6 minutes. On the way back to the station they used it again with excellent results including our driver being very talkative (in English) and giving us a mini-tour. He was so nice.

I’ll definitely have this app next time I go to France!

tickets to Giverny gardens also include the house in free flow.

The house is ok but there isn't much inside

There are also taxis waiting at the station. I don’t recall how much I paid, but I know it was not a substantial amount of money.

Carol, that's great taxis were waiting at the Vernon station when your train arrived. I was very surprised that none were waiting when my train from Paris arrived.