Resources for Your Trip: Giverny

Essential Digital Tools

Navigation & Communication Apps

Google Maps:
For walking directions, cycling routes, and public transport. Download offline maps.
Google Translate:
Real-time voice and text translation. Download French language pack for offline use.
SNCF Connect:
Official app for French National Railway. Check schedules, purchase tickets, manage bookings.
TheFork (La Fourchette):
Discover and reserve restaurants in France, including Vernon. Browse menus and reviews.
Social Media:
Follow official accounts for Fondation Claude Monet and Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny for updates.

Helpful Websites for Planning

Fondation Claude Monet:
Official site for Monet's House and Gardens. Check opening, tickets, accessibility: Fondation-monet.com/en/
Musée des Impressionnismes Giverny:
Current exhibitions, opening times, tickets: Mdig.fr/en/
Giverny Tourism Office:
Local information, village maps, accommodations, events: Giverny.fr/en/
Vernon Tourism Office:
Information on Vernon town, historical sites, markets, transport to Giverny.
Podcasts:
Search for podcasts about Claude Monet, Impressionist art, or Normandy travel.

Print Resources for Immersion

Guidebooks

Consider purchasing a reputable guidebook covering Normandy or day trips from Paris.

Local Maps

Detailed maps of Giverny village are often available for free at the tourism office or garden ticket counter.

Themed Books

Read biographies of Claude Monet or books on Impressionism and his garden designs.

Emergency and Medical

Essential Contact Numbers

European Emergency Number (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 112
Police (Gendarmerie): 17
Fire Department (Sapeurs-Pompiers): 18
Medical Emergency (SAMU): 15

Health & Document Procedures

Nearest Hospital: Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Meulan-Les Mureaux (CHIMM).
Local pharmacies in Vernon for minor ailments.
Report lost documents to local police (Gendarmerie) in Vernon.
Contact your country's embassy or consulate in Paris for assistance.

Further Exploration

Documentaries & Films

Watch films about Claude Monet's life in Giverny.
Explore films on the Impressionist movement.
Find content exploring French countryside life.
Enrich your understanding of the period.

Music & Art Appreciation

Explore more of Monet's works.
Discover art by his contemporaries like Renoir and Pissarro.
Listen to French composers like Claude Debussy.
Connect music to the Impressionist period.

Online Communities & Language

Join online travel forums for France or Giverny.
Gain additional tips from recent visitors.
Practice French with apps like Duolingo or Babbel.
Basic language skills aid interactions.

Planning Your Visit

Ensure a smooth trip with these essential preparations and checklists.

Pre-Trip Timeline

Milestones

3 Months Prior:
Check passport validity (6 months beyond return). Research and apply for any necessary Schengen visas. Book international flights to Paris.
1 Month Prior:
Reserve accommodation in Giverny or Vernon. Pre-book Monet's House & Gardens tickets online. Plan train travel from Paris to Vernon.
1 Week Prior:
Confirm all reservations (flights, trains, lodging, attractions). Review weather forecast and pack accordingly. Notify your bank of travel plans.

Immediate Actions

App Downloads:
Install Google Maps, Google Translate, and SNCF Connect on your smartphone.
Document Copies:
Save digital copies of passport, visa, travel insurance, and reservations in cloud storage.
Currency:
Obtain some Euros for immediate needs upon arrival. Credit cards are widely accepted.
Day Before Departure:
Fully charge electronics. Reconfirm flight/train schedules. Arrange home preparations.

Pre-Trip Research Areas

Monet & Art History

Familiarize yourself with Claude Monet's life, artistic style, and the significance of his Giverny period. Learn about the Impressionist movement and its artists.

Language & Culture

Practice common French greetings and polite phrases. Read about French customs and etiquette for respectful interactions.

Start Learning French

Home Security

Lock doors and windows. Consider timers for lights. Notify trusted neighbors. Arrange for mail collection or deliveries to stop. Confirm pet care.

Arrival Checklist

First Steps in Paris

Proceed through passport control and collect luggage.
Use an ATM at the airport for Euros.
Transfer to Gare Saint-Lazare for trains to Vernon.
Orient yourself for connections.

Giverny Orientation

At Vernon-Giverny station, find shuttle bus or bike rental.
Use a map to navigate Giverny village.
Transport to accommodation via shuttle, taxi, or walking/cycling.
Have some Euros for immediate needs; cards are widely accepted.

Departure Preparation

Souvenirs & Logistics

Purchase souvenirs in Giverny village shops.
Inquire about shipping options for larger items directly from shops.
If eligible, inquire about VAT refund procedures at purchase and airport.
Pack efficiently within airline weight restrictions.

Timing & Return Trip

Allow ample time from Giverny to Vernon train station.
Factor in 45-50 minute train journey to Paris Saint-Lazare.
Allow 2-3 hours at Paris airports before international flights.
Double-check flight/train details; ensure all travel documents are ready.

Resources for Your Trip