Giverny & Auvers: Monet’s Garden, Van Gogh House Day Trip Paris

Summary

Monet’s water lilies and Van Gogh’s final days from Paris

You’ll step through Monet’s blooming gardens in Giverny and cross his iconic green bridge before exploring his colorful family home. In Auvers-sur-Oise, wander quiet streets where Van Gogh painted his last works and stand in his simple room at Auberge Ravoux. With a local guide handling transport and entry fees, you’ll see art come alive—and maybe feel it linger on your way back to Paris.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Paris just after sunrise, the city still yawning awake behind us. It was only an hour or so to Giverny, but our guide—Julien—kept us distracted with stories about Monet’s stubbornness and how he’d argue with gardeners over every flower. When we finally stepped through the gate into Monet’s garden, it didn’t feel like a museum at all. There was this faint sweetness from the peonies, and I could hear bees somewhere near the irises. We wandered along winding paths, stopping on that famous green bridge (the one in all those paintings) while a couple tried to take selfies without falling in. I tried to imagine what it was like for Monet to see these colors every morning—kind of overwhelming, honestly.

Inside his house, everything felt so lived-in—the kitchen tiles chipped here and there, and sunlight slanting across stacks of old plates. Someone laughed when I got lost trying to find the exit (turns out you just follow the smell of earth back outside). Before leaving Giverny, we visited Monet’s grave tucked away behind a little church; it was quiet except for birds and someone rustling leaves nearby.

After that we drove north toward Auvers-sur-Oise. The landscape changed—fields got wider, sky bigger somehow. Lunch was up to us; I grabbed a baguette from a boulangerie where the woman behind the counter smiled at my clumsy French. Walking through town, Julien pointed out places Van Gogh painted—he called them “his last windows.” Standing in front of the Auberge Ravoux where Van Gogh spent his final days felt heavier than I expected. There was this hush inside his tiny room—just white walls and a single chair—and I caught myself holding my breath for no reason.

The walk along the artists’ trail led us past wheat fields buzzing with insects and that church Van Gogh made famous. At his grave (ivy everywhere), someone left sunflowers. We stood there quietly for a minute before heading back to the van. On the drive home, I kept thinking about how ordinary these places look until you know who saw them first—you know?

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Monet's Garden and Van Gogh sites

• See water lilies pond and green bridge
• Wander through Clos Normand flower garden
• Visit Monet’s family home
• Visit Claude Monet’s grave
• Take break in Auvers-sur-Oise town
• Tour Van Gogh’s Auberge Ravoux
• Follow Artists trail to key sites
• Visit Vincent Van Gogh’s gravesite

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Paris to Giverny & Auvers?

The full day trip lasts around 9–10 hours including travel time from Paris.

Is lunch included on this Monet & Van Gogh tour?

No, lunch isn’t included but you’ll have free time in Auvers-sur-Oise to choose your own spot or grab something from a bakery.

Does this tour include entry fees for Monet's Garden?

Yes, all entrance fees are included in your booking.

How many people are on this small group tour?

The group size is limited to 8 people maximum.

Will we visit both Monet's house and garden?

Yes, you’ll explore both Monet’s house and his famous gardens in Giverny.

Is transport provided from Paris?

Yes, round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan is included from Paris.

Are there any age restrictions for this tour?

The minimum age is 7 years old.

Do we visit Van Gogh's room at Auberge Ravoux?

Yes, you’ll see the room where Vincent Van Gogh spent his final days at Auberge Ravoux in Auvers-sur-Oise.

What’s included

Your day includes return transport from Paris by air-conditioned minivan with a friendly driver-guide throughout; all entrance fees to Monet’s garden and house plus access to Auberge Ravoux; free time for lunch in Auvers-sur-Oise; and a small-group setting so you can actually hear those little stories that never make it into guidebooks.