Travel Itinerary: The Waterlilies of Monet’s Garden

It’s not just Emily in Paris’ Camille who finds tranquility in Giverny – it’s a must visit for any flower lover as one of the most famous gardens in the world.

Monet’s Garden has to be high on any flower or art lover’s travel bucket list. Not only is it nearby to the wonderful city of Paris, it boasts both flower garden and water garden – plus the famous Japanese bridge!

The two gardens reflect Claude Monet’s deep passion for gardening and for nature, both of which heavily influenced his artwork. Keep reading for our top tips on what to see and when to visit this beautiful spot in Giverny, France.

What to see

If you’ve watched the recent season of Emily in Paris, you’ll know that the waterlily pond is a massive part of the attraction to Monet’s Garden (unfortunately for us, there aren’t any rowing boats available to the public). Here you can sit and relax, or take a calming stroll over the Japanese bridge. The charming pink Maison de Claude Monet, where he painted some of his early works, and the rest of his floral gardens are stunning – but it’s definitely the waterlilies that are the standout feature.

When to visit

Seeing the flowers in bloom is obviously your priority (is it not?), so although you could still visit before or after waterlily season to enjoy the gardens, we bet you would still be itching to return and see the waterlilies open up in July and August. The weather during these months is ideal for enjoying the outdoors, with plenty of sunshine and long daylight hours giving you uninterrupted time to explore.

How to get there

From Paris, you can drive by car or take a train. It’ll take you between 45-90 minutes – the perfect day trip.

The train leaves from Paris’ Gare Saint-Lazare and takes you to Vernon. From here there is a seasonal shuttle bus to Monet’s estate at Giverny, or a little train from the station which costs the same as the shuttle (and is just as fast).

Where to stay

We recommend staying in Paris – there’s no need to stay out in Giverny as it’s only a very small town. To continue the artistic vibes you could stay at the Drawing House, an incredibly cool hotel dedicated to contemporary drawing.

Where to eat

There are a variety of cafes in the quaint area of Giverny surrounding Monet’s Garden. Upon your arrival you’ll pass a really sweet restaurant, Le Temps Des Fleurs, that has the most outstanding garden – it’s worth eating here just for the garden view! The menu is typical French bistro food, but the setting is so gorgeous it’ll have you planning your garden updates over lunch.

Where to shop

The souvenir store is amazing, selling books, textiles, and gifts all related to Giverny and Claude Monet. I left with a calendar, and a waterlilies t-shirt that I can’t stop wearing.

Expert advice

Spend the morning at Monet’s garden, then return to Paris in the afternoon to visit the Musée de l’Orangerie to see the artist’s waterlily paintings. After you’re finished there, sit back and rest your feet at the Japanese tea house Toraya.

Address:

 84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France