Paris to Giverny tour

Chris - it's easy to take the train from Paris on your own. A bus picks you up in Vernon and takes you to Giverny. I love to walk around the village of Giverny too (very small) and have lunch at the Hotel Baudy. Enjoy!

Go on your own, but go early, to avoid as much crowding as possible.

I think a tour would add very little value to this particular destination. There are none of Monets paintings at Giverney so all a guide could be expected to add is some biographical information. It's easy to get there by train and bus. If you want to "add value" to your trip, see Monet's works in Paris first: not just the water lilies but also the collection at the Marmottan. You could also couple a trip to Giverney with one to Rouen (though it would be a long day), where you could see the cathedral he painted so many times to such stirring effect.

I did it on my own and as the others have said, it was easy. The advantage of doing it on your own - you go when you want for how long you want. The disadvantage of a tour - you go when they want for how long they want and pay much more for it.

Yes, go on your own and as everyone has said go EARLY and lunch at Hotel Baudy, I'll second that one!! You can also take a cab instead of the bus. Go early so you can get back to Paris in the afternoon then you can go to Musee L'Orangerie and have a day of Monet. You won't have time to do the entire museum but it is makes for an amazing day!

Thanks so much! These are great suggestions and really helps us to plan. We're going this September so this is one of those last small details we're trying to get a handle on.
Thanks!

Here's some specific info re: going on your own, which I much prefer over a tour (I've done both). Train leaves from Gare St. Lazare, early train is best (7 or 8am), buy your tix to Vernon ahead of time if possible at SNCF office (27e) or at the station making sure it's for the 45 minute express train NOT the 1.5 hour one that stops at every little town, walk quickly to bus to Giverny (4e), cross road and walk to entrance to Monet's home (8e), stroll leisurely around both gardens (I prefer the colorful one in front of his house) and pity the tour people who have to rush, have lunch at Hotel La Musardiere behind Monet's home (wonderful crepes in a shady garden, Salted Caramel crepes are incredible), visit the Giverny Museum of Impressionisms (7e), catch last bus (4pm?) back to train. I like the idea of seeing the pix at the d'Orsay, l'Orangerie, and Musee Marmottan (private museum on far West side of Paris, easily accessible by Metro) first so you'll know what you're looking at. Enjoy!!

If you are a fan of Monet, do not skip the Marmottan Museum. It's a bit of a schlep, not in the center of Paris, but worth it. The entire lower floor is all Monet, arranged chronologically with representative works from the beginning of his career to the end. It is fascinating to see the development. There are well-placed benches so you can relax and soak it all in. It's rarely crowded. I was there in early June and for about 1/2 hour I was the only visitor in the gallery!