Paris to Giverny: Monet Gardens Bike Tour & Picnic Stop

Normandy fields, riverside picnic and Monet’s gardens in one relaxed day

You’ll wander Normandy markets for picnic treats, pedal gently along the Seine with a local guide, share lunch beside an old mill, and lose yourself in Monet’s garden colors at Giverny. The slow pace lets you soak up every detail: don’t be surprised if you remember that quiet riverside moment long after returning home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Bois de Boulogne5m
2. 1st Arrondissement
3. GivernyEntry included1h 30m

Paris to Giverny bike tour with picnic

• Meet guide and board bus in Paris
• Visit Vernon farmers' market for picnic supplies
• Bike across river to Seine park for picnic
• Sample local cider at picnic
• Bike 5 km to Giverny village
• See Giverny church and cemetery
• Pass Hotel Baudy and stop for a drink
• Explore Monet's gardens and house
• Visit American Museum of Art and village cafes
• Bike back to Vernon
• Return to Paris by bus

The experience

You hear the crunch of gravel before anything else: our group shuffling off the bus in Vernon, still half-asleep from leaving Paris so early. There’s this faint smell of bread drifting from somewhere (maybe the bakery near the square?), and our guide, Camille, is already waving us over to the open-air market. She points out cheese I can’t pronounce and cider bottles lined up like soldiers. I grab a hunk of bread and some strawberries, not really sure what goes together for a French picnic but trusting it’ll work out. Camille laughs when I ask how to say “thank you” properly: my accent must’ve been rough.

Bikes are waiting for us by the river: old-school but comfortable enough. The air smells like grass and something sweet I can’t place. We follow Camille along a quiet path, sunflowers nodding at us from the fields. It’s only about 5 kilometers to Giverny, but we stop by an old mill for our picnic. Someone pops open their cider, and there’s this moment where everyone just goes quiet except for the river moving past. Honestly, that was my favorite part, even more than seeing Monet’s garden later on.

Rolling into Giverny feels almost too pretty to be real. The gardens are busy but not overwhelming. You can still find little corners where it’s just you and those wild colors Monet loved so much. Camille tells us stories about the Hotel Baudy and how artists used to hang out there. She makes it sound like they could walk around any corner even now. I spent ages by the lily pond just watching light shift across the water. Didn’t expect to feel so calm after all that biking and wandering.

What’s included

Your day includes roundtrip transfer from central Paris to Vernon, all bicycle equipment (bike and helmet), guidance from a local expert throughout Normandy’s countryside, skip-the-line entry into Monet’s Gardens at Giverny, plus time at Vernon’s market to gather picnic supplies before relaxing beside the Seine for lunch: all before heading back to Paris together in the evening.

Options for this experience

2 options

Monet's Garden Tour on a Classic BikeGuide in English · Available from 3 Apr 2027Bicycle option: includes roundtrip transportation between Paris and back, plus a bike tour through Giverny and Monet's Gardens.

E-Bike (ages 14+) – Monet's GardenGuide in English · Available from 3 Apr 2027Electric bike

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 9h, from € 119 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 3 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupUp to 20 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Fat Tire Tours - Paris

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

How long is the bike ride from Vernon to Giverny?

The ride is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) each way along a bike path.

Is roundtrip transportation from Paris included?

Yes, roundtrip transfer between central Paris and Vernon is included in your tour.

Are bikes and helmets provided for the tour?

Yes, use of a bicycle and helmet are included if you select the bike tour option.

What do we do for lunch during the tour?

You’ll shop at Vernon’s farmers’ market for picnic supplies and enjoy lunch by the Seine river next to a picturesque mill.

Do we get skip-the-line entry into Monet's Gardens?

Yes, skip-the-line entry into Monet's Gardens is included with your tour.

Who leads the tour? Is there a local guide?

A local guide accompanies your group throughout the day trip from Paris.

Is public transportation nearby if I need it?

Yes, public transportation options are available near meeting points in Paris.