Category Bike, Places, Trip
Giverny bike tour – Monet’s garden flower beds

A Paris to Giverny bike tour is one of the most beautiful day trips you can do in Paris! Just outside the city, the charming village of Giverny is famous for being the home of Claude Monet, the founder of Impressionism.

Many travelers want to see Monet’s famous water lily gardens and Japanese bridge, but they often wonder how to get there without a car 😇

The good news is that it’s easy to reach Giverny by combining train and cycling.
In this guide, we explain how to plan the perfect Paris to Giverny bike tour, including the best route, train options, and what to see along the way.

Rent a bike for your Giverny bike tour

Before starting your Paris to Giverny bike tour, the first thing you’ll need is a comfortable bike!

At Rentabike Paris, we help travelers from around the world explore Paris and its surroundings by bicycle. Our shop is located in central Paris, making it easy to pick up your bike and start your adventure.

  • comfortable city bikes

  • electric bikes for an easier ride

  • helmets and locks

  • helpful route advice for cycling around Paris

Blue front wheel of a city bike with helmets and a map of Paris, showcasing Rentabike Paris rental options

If you’re planning a day trip like this, renting a bike should definitely be one of your first steps.

By cliking that link you can learn more about our bike rental in Paris. We also offer guided bike tours in Paris and private cycling tours if you prefer exploring with a local guide 🤙

Train from Paris to Mantes-la-Jolie

The easiest way to begin your Paris to Giverny bike tour is by train.

From Gare Saint-Lazare, take the Transilien Line J toward Mantes-la-Jolie.

Tickets can be purchased on the official railway website

Travel information

Duration
about 35 to 45 minutes

Ticket price
around 10–15 € each way

Our Riders will be happy to know that bikes are allowed on Transilien trains, and trains include dedicated bike spaces 😉 Taking the train saves you many kilometers and allows you to enjoy the most beautiful cycling section of the route.

Cycling from Mantes-la-Jolie to Giverny

Once you arrive in Mantes-la-Jolie, your cycling adventure begins! 💙

The ride follows the scenic Seine Valley, with quiet country roads and peaceful landscapes.

This route is part of the famous cycling itinerary La Seine à Vélo, which connects Paris to Normandy. You can explore the official cycling route here:

https://www.francevelotourisme.com/destinations/paris-ile-de-france-a-velo/seine-velo-paris-giverny

The route is accessible for all riders and we sure you will love it! It's about 18 km for a cycling time about 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes.

Visiting Monet’s House and Gardens in Giverny

Bamboo_at_Fondation_Claude_Monet,_Giverny

The highlight of your Paris to Giverny bike tour is the visit to Monet’s house and gardens.

Claude Monet lived here from 1883 until 1926, and the gardens he designed inspired many of his most famous paintings.

When you visit Giverny, you can explore the vibrant flower garden, stroll across the famous Japanese bridge, admire the peaceful lily pond, and step inside Monet’s colorful house to see where the magic happened!

The gardens are open from April to early November. We advise you to plan about 1.5 to 2 hours to fully enjoy the visit. Buying tickets online is recommended during the busy summer months.

You can buy official tickets here: https://fondation-monet.com

Lunch in the Village of Giverny

After visiting the gardens, take some time to explore the village.

Giverny has several charming places for lunch, including:

  • small French cafés

  • restaurants with garden terraces

  • bakeries selling fresh sandwiches and pastries

Many cyclists also bring a picnic and enjoy the countryside atmosphere.

Returning to Paris

After lunch or a short walk through the village, simply cycle back to Mantes-la-Jolie. The return ride takes about one hour. From there, catch the train back to Paris Saint-Lazare, where your Paris to Giverny bike tour comes to an end. Most travelers arrive back in Paris late afternoon or early evening, after a wonderful day combining cycling, culture, and nature. Also we do have some flexible return process so no worries if you want to take your time returning late 🙂