Monet garden

The RS France and the RS Paris guidebooks have detailed transportation to Giverny. When we went for a day, 25 years ago, it was by train to the town, then by bus to the Gardens. Or you walk the couple miles from the train station. It was so long ago I don't remember the timing of the trip.

First, purchase your entry ticket. Then try to be at the gate to the garden by 9:00. Then you will have the whole beautiful garden practically to yourself for about an hour.

The train leaves from the Gare St. Lazare in Paris, train station is Vernon-Giverny, and it’s a really long walk to the gardens. I’d recommend the bus instead.

The bus is waiting outside the train station. When you get off the train go to the street and you will see it to the right. When you arrive at Monet’s garden on the bus take a photo of the bus schedule for your return to the train station in Vernon.

Excellent thanks

Or you walk the couple miles from the train station.

It's way further than a couple of miles.

Take the shuttle or a taxi.

Take the earliest train you can to Vernon. Split the difference between bus and walking, and rent bikes at the shop right next to train station. Short ride through tiny town to beautiful (and relatively flat) trail along the river that leads to the garden. One of the highlights of our visit there.

Giverny is a pleasant experience, especially if the sun shines to bring out the colours (and later in the day when the tourist population thins.) One small, hesitant warning: There are no Monet originals on display. The estate went into decline after his relatives died out, and suffered some WW2 damage. Meanwhile the prices of the original works were soaring beyond the supporters' good intentions. But Monet fans can see them in their minds and compare to the original flowers, if not the canvas.

In our RS tour book for our 1998 visit, Rick said it was a walkable 4 km. I wouldn't have walked or biked it. It's not a straight shot and I didn't know the directions. The bus took a narrow busy road back then and now would be even busier. Rick also suggested hitching.

I think an early train and then the bikes looks good