From Paris: Palace of Versailles & Giverny Gardens Guided Tour
From Paris: Half-Day Monet's House & Gardens Entry Ticket
From Paris: Full-Day Monet's House & Gardens Audio Guided Tour
From Paris: McArthurGlen Designer Village and Monet's Gardens
Where: In front of Monet’s house
This 1-hectare flower garden is a dazzling explosion of color. Laid out in symmetrical beds but blooming with a wild, natural energy, the Clos Normand is where Monet let his imagination roam free. Expect tulips in spring, dahlias in late summer, and roses climbing iron arches that line the paths like an open-air cathedral.
Where: Across the road from the house
Inspired by Japanese prints and Eastern aesthetics, Monet created a tranquil pond surrounded by bamboo, weeping willows, and clusters of water lilies. This garden became the subject of his famous Nymphéas (Water Lilies) series. It’s also home to the iconic Japanese Bridge—a must-see and a must-photograph.
Where: Main entrance
Monet lived here for 43 years. Today, visitors can walk through his personal spaces—from his light-filled bedroom to his bright yellow dining room. The house is decorated just as he left it, with vibrant walls, simple country furniture, and his incredible collection of Japanese woodblock prints.
Where: Adjacent to the house
Though his larger studio was eventually moved, the original atelier still stands. Inside, you'll find reproductions of some of Monet’s most iconic works and get a sense of the creative energy that filled the space.
Where: Just outside the estate
Whether you’re wrapping up your visit or taking a mid-tour break, this café offers fresh pastries, drinks, and unbeatable garden views. Try a croissant and sip on coffee while surrounded by the very landscapes that inspired a legend.
Claude Monet first spotted Giverny from a train window. Captivated by its light and charm, he moved in with his family and began renting a house with a large garden.
Monet purchased the property in 1890 and began designing the Clos Normand, a colorful flower garden. In 1893, he bought adjacent land and created the Water Garden—complete with lily ponds and the now-iconic Japanese Bridge.
Over the next two decades, the gardens became Monet’s primary inspiration. He painted them in all seasons and times of day, producing masterpieces like Water Lilies and The Japanese Bridge.
Monet died in Giverny at the age of 86. His house and gardens fell into neglect in the years that followed.
Thanks to curator Gérald Van der Kemp and international support, the house and gardens were fully restored and opened to the public in 1980.
Monet's life & garden's history is fascinating: read all of it here
Over the years, Monet’s dreamy gardens in Giverny have captured the imagination of not just painters and poets, but also filmmakers, showrunners, and writers. Whether appearing directly on screen or influencing the look and feel of entire scenes, the gardens have quietly become a pop culture icon in their own right.
This docudrama tells the story of Monet and his fellow artists through Monet’s own eyes. Much of it was actually filmed in Giverny, giving viewers a rare chance to see the real gardens and house where the story of Impressionism unfolded.
In one of the show’s more playful moments, Emily and her friends visit Monet’s garden—and yes, someone ends up in the lily pond. It’s a fun, romantic nod to the site’s legacy and its postcard-perfect beauty.
Giverny pops up in literature too. While not always front and center, the gardens have inspired scenes and moods in stories like The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. For many authors, Giverny represents a slower, more thoughtful kind of beauty.
Pixar’s Ratatouille doesn’t show Giverny, but if you look closely, you’ll spot hints of it. The film’s painterly style, glowing light, and love for the small details of French life all feel straight out of Monet’s world.
Monet’s garden and house aren’t just a tribute to one artist—they're a global symbol of how creativity and nature can coexist in perfect harmony. More than half a million visitors from across the world travel to Giverny each year to experience what Monet once called “his most beautiful work of art.”
Beyond their beauty, the gardens serve as an open-air classroom for art lovers, garden designers, and dreamers alike. Students study the layout of the beds. Artists find inspiration in the shifting light. Historians examine how personal passion shaped public legacy.
The site is managed by the Fondation Claude Monet, which continues to preserve the authenticity of the gardens and house as Monet envisioned them—right down to the varieties of flowers he planted.
No, the paintings in Monet’s house are reproductions. His original works are mostly held in major museums like the Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris.
Yes, visitors can walk through his former studio, which now displays reproductions of his works and gives insight into his daily artistic process.
The gardens have been meticulously restored using Monet’s original plans, notes, and archival photos. Most of the plant species are historically accurate to what he planted.
Yes, while you can't stay at Monet’s house itself, there are several charming B&Bs and small hotels in Giverny village and nearby Vernon.
While the main paths are open to the public, some sections—like Monet’s former greenhouse and some planting areas—are restricted to staff for maintenance and preservation.
The gardens are maintained by a team of expert horticulturists and gardeners employed by the Fondation Claude Monet. They follow historical records and planting notes to keep the gardens true to Monet’s vision.
No, private events such as weddings, parties, or commercial photography sessions are not permitted, to preserve the historic and cultural integrity of the site.