Giverny
- Address: Rue Claude Monet, Giverny
- Hours: Open Apr - Oct daily 9:30am - 6pm
- Admission: € 6 per adult
ATTRACTION Keywords:
Nature & Wildlife,
Picnic Spot,
Museum,
Park / Garden
Giverny Reviews
We've found 99 Giverny reviews from Viator.com travelers and members: what they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved. It's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Review by Anne F, August 2011
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
Giverny was beautiful, the gardens were in full bloom and Monet's home was a true reflection of the man. Lunch was very enjoyable at the water mill. Versailles, however, was very crowded and this detracted from the experience. I think they should somehow limit the numbers as they do in other places because it was very difficult to find the guide at times although she tried her best. She was very professional and informative.
Review by kim p, August 2011
Doing what: Giverny and Monet
excellant trip well worth it it's a beautiful place to visit the coach was comfortable 5 hours was enough time for the duration I had compared other companies but they were shorter. You need to be there at least 2 hours to appriciate the beauty of the gardens at Giverny
Review by Dan G., USA, August 2011
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
Short Version: Amazing sights, quite crowded in August.
The Details: The trip starts off with a short bus ride to Giverny. Having gone to the Orangerie just the day before, my wife and I were truly excited to see famous pond that "launched a thousand impressionistic water lily paintings". The gardens did not disappoint. Beautiful and quaint they were truly something to behold. Monet's house itself was interesting, but slow moving and crowding made it less enjoyable. The bus then took us to Versailles. Anybody not impressed by these marvel of architectural and decorative decadence needs to have their pulse checked. The place was amazing, but again INCREDIBLY crowded. Our tour guide was very nice and informative. However, my one complaint was that it took too long to get through the palace, leaving us little time to appreciate the hundreds of acres of breathtaking gardens in behind it. I might suggest a self-guided tour through the palace so that you may have more time to meander through the gardens. Overall great experience, and probably even better in the spring and fall when the crowds are not so overwhelming!
Review by Lizzy, August 2011
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
This was a wonderful trip but it was a little rushed. I would not recommend booking the tour on a Tuesday because apparently Versailles is closed Monday, so Tuesday becomes more crowded. The bus ride to Giverny was pleasant and our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. The gardens around Monet's home were beautiful, as was the water garden and famous lilies and bridge from his paintings. There was enough time to see inside Monet's home and explore the water garden across the way, but not that much time to look at the gift shop. The included lunch was located at Moulin de Fourges, which was very picturesque and relaxing. However, there was only one option for the 3-course lunch and neither my husband nor I would eat the starter course, which looked like a slab of salmon pate with some strange jelly. Other people at our table liked it, but to us it looked totally unappetizing. The chicken and mashed potatoes with gravy were good for our main course, as was the apple tart for dessert. I noticed that neither of our tour guides ate lunch with us, which I found odd - perhaps, they chose from another menu. After lunch we took the scenic route through the country, which was lovely, but I think it cut down our time at Versailles. We arrived there at 3 and did not get in until 3:40 because it was EXTREMELY crowded. We had a fairly rushed tour and only about 30 minutes to explore the amazing massive gardens, which was not nearly enough time and we were disappointed. If we had more time at Versailles, we would have been much more satisfied. Nevertheless, we would recommend, as it was a beautiful day outside the city.
Review by Erick B, June 2011
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
Giverny a treasure. Gardens lovely. Well organized tour. Versailles is shocking, really, but we went on a Saturday, and the crowds were unbearable, far lessening the experience. The tour did not leave enough time to tour the gardens there. Lunch was at a place the very definition of "picturesque", and old mill on a lovely river.
Review by JJ, Singapore, November 2010
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
Really enjoyed this trip. Our guide's commentary was very detailed, and Giverny - the village as well as Monet's home itself - is beautiful. Most visitors may prefer the water garden, but I was enthralled by the main grounds just outside the house. The flowers are in total chaos, but the effect was magical. Lunch at a quaint restaurant in Fourges was great. The dessert - a delicious apple pie with a sauce that's to die for - was heavenly. Be sure to spend 10-15 minutes strolling around the garden taking pictures and soaking in some sun. I almost didn't want to leave the place! Versailles was very crowded that day, so we didn't have much time to explore. But we did see the main highlights, and gawked at the spectacular, massive gardens, which feature piped music from centuries past, providing a wonderful atmosphere. A big thank you to our guide, who got our group into the palace ahead of everyone else despite the long queue outside the entrance. Highly recommended!
Review by Anonymous, July 2010
Doing what: Giverny and Monet
Giverny is fabulous and was my second visit. The gardens were not as colourful end June as they were back in end May 2001, but nonetheless beautiful. There were 2 Guides on the Cityrama bus - one Spanish speaking, the other English. The English speaking guide was very average unfortunately and didn't appear very interested. Such a contrast to our fabulous small group guide.
Review by Anonymous, July 2010
Doing what: Giverny and Versailles Small Group Day Trip from Paris
Out tour guide was well informed with a great sense of humor. Giverny was breathtaking as well as all of the other small towns. Impressionist painting comes to life. Lunch was at an old watermill in a spectacular setting! WARNING for those who are well traveled and seen many other castles and palaces, Versailles is a HUGE disappointment. Crowded, dirty, faded, shabby and nothing to see. The rooms have paintings hung in them but nothing else. Can not compare to others I have visited in England, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Italy & Russia. If there is a trip that only takes you to Giverny and the region, opt for that.
Review by Barbara C, USA, June 2010
Doing what: Giverny and Monet
What a lovely place to visit! Disappointed in the fact that because the bus had traffic problems we suffered by losing time in Giverny. The gardens were unbelievable, the house lovely, the store efficient. Tour director just okay, more interested in getting us back on bus and out of there
Review by Keith M, Australia, June 2010
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
We particularly loved Monet's gardens at Giverny. A simply beautiful place. Versailles is worth seeing but the crowds were extraordinary - I've never seen so many coaches in my life! The tour was well organised and was a good way these famous places.
Review by Anonymous, May 2010
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
Very nice trip, especially the place where they brought us for lunch. Giverny and Versailles were better for me with a guide as someone explains the history background of the sights, which helps appreciate it more.
Review by Carla G, Australia, April 2009
Doing what: Giverny and Monet
We visited Giverny on April 1st - first day of opening. We were concerned there wouldn't be lots of flowers given the cold winter and previous week. However, the gardens were suburb and what was a real blessing was the numbers visiting wasn't too large, thus we could reflect around the house and garden at our own pace. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and was insightful not only regarding Monet, the house and gardens but also the surrounding townships, highlighting architecture and other features of interest. There is no drawback on this amazing tour.
Review by ROBERT F, USA, October 2008
Doing what: Giverny and Versailles Small Group Day Trip from Paris
Giverny was absolutely delightful - everything I'd hoped it would be. We had been to Versailles before and were disappointed to see the modern art there. It was completely out of place. Our lunch was wonderful and at an absolutely perfect location. Our tour guide was great!
Review by Maureen B, New Zealand, July 2008
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
My visit to Giverny was a great experience. One point to note was that the tour guide did not take into consideration the slower walkers in the party, so this was a big disadvantage to those people who fitted this criteria. This was really a great experience to walk around Monet's gardens and home. I would recommend this to most anyone. Versailles was also a great experience. More places to purchase a drink or snacks on site could have helped make the visit more enjoyable. The gardens were magnificent.
Review by Anonymous, June 2008
Doing what: Versailles and Giverny Day Trip
Because Giverny and Versailles are so amazing in such different ways more time in each place would be good.
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