Cycling to Giverny from Paris: Vernon market, greenway, and picnic
The day’s itinerary
Meet at 24 rue Edgar-Faure, in the 15th arrondissement, near Dupleix or La Motte-Picquet-Grenelle metro stations. No hotel pickup. The coach takes you to Vernon, the town on the other side of the Seine, where the local guide gives you time to put together your picnic at the market: cheese, bread, fruit—whatever you like, at your own expense. Then bikes and helmets are handed out, and you set off along the path by the Seine, about five flat kilometers to the village of Giverny.
The picnic is eaten outside the grounds, since the Fondation Monet Giverny bans picnicking inside, along with painting and sketching. Next comes the visit to the house and gardens, admission included. The guide takes you past the Hôtel Baudy, the former inn for American painters, and through the Sainte-Radegonde church cemetery, where Monet’s tomb in the Hoschedé-Monet vault and the graves of 1944 soldiers are located. Return to Paris by coach. Eight and a half hours in total. A rain poncho is available as a paid option. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
What physical condition you need
Less than you might think. Five kilometers on a flat path, at a group pace with stops for photos, means about half an hour of relaxed pedaling each way. I see these groups pass through Vernon every week: retirees, families with teenagers, people who haven’t ridden a bike in years. What you *really* need is to be able to balance, brake, and handle rain if it comes. Reviews describe “riding along the river” as the highlight of the trip—even more than the gardens themselves—which says a lot about the experience.
This isn’t for everyone. If you never ride a bike, if you’re traveling with young children who can’t pedal on their own yet, or if an eight-and-a-half-hour day sounds daunting, the half-day coach tour covers the same site in six hours. And this option isn’t designed for those with reduced mobility—see accessibility.
Why Vernon’s market makes the day special
Other tours leave you scrambling to find a restaurant in Giverny’s village during limited free time. Here, you arrive with your own lunch. Since picnicking is banned in the gardens, the guide sets up outside, and you eat facing the countryside instead of standing in line. For many visitors, it’s also the only time they see a Norman town that isn’t a tourist hotspot. The approved picnic spots around Giverny are listed on the where to picnic in Giverny page.
What you’ll see in Giverny—and what you won’t
You can see the house, the Clos Normand, the water garden, the Baudy hotel, and the tomb. You won’t enter the Musée des Impressionnismes, 300 metres away, as admission isn’t included in any of the six options. You also won’t arrive at opening time: the coach journey, the market, and the route mean you won’t be in the gardens by 10 a.m., the quietest moment. That’s the trade-off of this option. If seeing the pond in the calm of the morning matters more to you than the greenway, the guided tour on-site combined with the first train is a better choice.
Compared to other day trips from Paris
| From Paris: Giverny, Monet’s house and gardens (half-day) | Our pickFrom Paris: Monet’s gardens by bike and picnic stop | From Paris: guided minibus tour to Monet’s gardens | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | Approx. 6 h | 8 h 30 | 5 h |
| Meet-up point | Church of Notre-Dame-de-Compassion, 17th | 24 Rue Edgar-Faure, 15th | Café La Flamme or hotel |
| Stop in Vernon | No | Market then bike ride | No |
| Meals | Not included, free time in the village | Picnic bought at the market | Not included |
| Effort | Walking in the gardens | Around 5 km of flat cycling | Walking in the gardens |
| Hotel pickup | Depending on option | No | Yes |
| Rating | 4.5 (3,393 reviews) | 4.8 (238 reviews) | 4.7 (844 reviews) |
| See → | Book → | See → |
Bring a small backpack rather than a handbag: you’ll need to carry the picnic by bike, and there’s no left-luggage facility at the Fondation Monet Giverny. Only cabin-sized bags are allowed inside.
Booking the full-day bike trip
If you’d rather stay seated
Most bookedFrom Paris: Giverny, Monet’s house and gardens (half-day)
Small groupFrom Paris: guided minibus tour to Monet’s gardens
On-siteGiverny: guided tour of Monet’s house and gardens
These dates don’t work for you?
Browse other visits to Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny and find one that fits your schedule—immediate confirmation and free cancellation on most options.
Frequently asked questions
Is the full-day bike trip difficult?
No. Around five kilometres on a flat path along the Seine, at a group pace, each way. You just need to be able to ride a bike. To compare with effort-free options, see day trips from Paris.
Can you picnic in Monet’s gardens?
No, picnicking is not allowed on the premises, nor are painting or drawing. The guide sets up outside. Possible spots are listed on the where to picnic in Giverny page.
Is the meal included in the full-day bike trip?
No. You buy your picnic at Vernon’s market, at your own expense. The bike, helmet, and admission to the house and gardens are included. A rain poncho is available as an option.
Is there hotel pickup?
No, the meeting point is at 24 rue Edgar-Faure, Paris 15th, near Dupleix or La Motte-Picquet-Grenelle metro stations. For hotel pickup, opt for a minibus or the private tour.
What do the reviews say?
A rating of 4.8 from 238 reviews—the highest of the six options. Guides are mentioned by their first names, and the riverside path is consistently cited as the favourite moment. My guide is on the reviews for the full-day bike trip page.