Monet Day: Marmottan in the Morning, Giverny in the Afternoon
Why this day starts in the right place
Most Giverny tours leave from Porte Maillot, in the 17th arrondissement, and never stop at the museum where the paintings are. This one does the opposite. The meeting point is set in front of the Musée Marmottan Monet, rue Louis-Boilly, by the Ranelagh garden, and the day begins with Impression, soleil levant, the late large Water Lilies, and the final Japanese Bridge paintings in the underground gallery. Only afterward do we visit the pond that inspired them. That’s the order I recommend: the paintings first, the motif after.
The time allocated for the museum, around 1 hour 30 minutes, matches what I advise on the how long to plan page: enough for the Monet room, the first floor with Berthe Morisot, and a quick look at the Empire decor on the ground floor. Museum tickets are included, which settles the question of the Museum Pass, which isn’t accepted here.
The day’s itinerary
Morning visit to the Marmottan. Then transfer by vehicle to Giverny, in the Eure department, about 75 km west of Paris. On site, a fixed-menu lunch is included, followed by Claude Monet’s house and gardens—the Norman Clos and the water garden with the Japanese bridge. Return to Paris in the late afternoon, with an expected arrival around 6:00 PM. The vehicle holds a maximum of four people, which is nothing like a coach: we leave when everyone is ready, and we stop whenever someone asks.
One point I want to clarify, because the GetYourGuide listing mentions it and people read it too quickly: the person accompanying you is a driver-escort, not a licensed guide. No audio guide is provided either. At the museum, you visit freely, and I refer you to my room-by-room guide to make sure you don’t miss anything. In Giverny, the house and gardens are explored without commentary. If you want someone to discuss the paintings in front of the canvases, you should look at the private tour with an art historian guide.
Included
- Meeting point in front of the Musée Marmottan Monet
- Museum entry tickets, around 1 hour 30 minutes for the visit
- Transfer by vehicle to Giverny and return to Paris
- Fixed-menu lunch in Giverny
- Claude Monet's House and Gardens
- Small group, maximum 4 people
Not included
- Expert guide-lecturer
- Audio guide
- Personal expenses
- Food, drinks, alcohol, and glassware in the vehicle
Who it's for, and who it's not for
This day trip is for those who want to see Monet’s works and Monet’s garden in a single day without changing transport three times. Taking the train from Saint-Lazare station, then the shuttle from Vernon to Giverny, is doable, but it eats up the morning and leaves little time for the museum. Here, everything fits into a day that starts in the 16th arrondissement and ends there.
It’s not suitable for everyone, and the operator makes that clear. It’s not recommended for people with back problems, wheelchair users, or those over 75. Pets are not allowed. I’m emphasizing this because the Monet room at the Marmottan is wheelchair-accessible, and someone might assume the day trip is too. The museum’s accessibility conditions are on the accessibility page.
On the lack of reviews
This is a recent offering. GetYourGuide has given it the badges “New Activity,” “Skip-the-Line,” and “Small Group,” but no ratings are displayed because no one has left feedback yet. So, I don’t have a first name to quote, as I can for the half-day coach trip with its thousands of reviews. What I’m writing here comes from the product listing and what I know about the museum and the route. I’ll update the reviews page as soon as the first feedback comes in.
What I can say without reviews is that the meeting point is well-chosen, and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance minimizes the risk.
Giverny only opens from late March to November 1st, and the gardens change every month. The Marmottan, on the other hand, never does. If you have the choice, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday outside school holidays: the museum is almost empty at opening time, and the road to Eure is quieter. The best time page gives the details.
Book the Marmottan + Giverny day trip
To compare this day with the two other ways to visit Giverny, the table on the all visits page puts them side by side, with no price lines.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Musée Marmottan Monet ticket included?
Yes. Admission tickets are included, and the museum visit lasts about 1.5 hours before departure for Giverny. You don’t need to buy anything at the reception. What you’ll see during this time is described on the what to see at Marmottan page.
Is there a guide during the day trip?
A driver-companion, not a licensed tour guide. The museum and Giverny are explored independently. For a guided tour by an art historian, you should choose the private tour.
Why aren't there any reviews?
Because this offer is new. GetYourGuide doesn’t display any ratings until someone leaves feedback, and I don’t make anything up. The reviews page analyzes the program while waiting for the first comments.
Can this day trip be done in winter?
No, Giverny is closed from November to the end of March. In winter, the Marmottan remains open and can be visited without a reservation. The comparison between the two sites is on Giverny or Marmottan.