This guide to the best time to visit Giverny helps you plan around the crowds, weather, and blooming seasons. Whether you’re chasing Monet’s famous water lilies or hoping for a peaceful stroll through his iconic gardens, timing your visit can make all the difference.
Want to experience Monet’s gardens without navigating through crowds? Timing is everything. Giverny’s gardens are open from April to October, each season offering its own charm. But if you want the perfect blend of beauty and tranquility, the right day and hour make all the difference.
For the most peaceful and picturesque experience, arrive right when the gardens open at 9:30 AM. The morning light is soft, ideal for photography, and the crowds are minimal. Walking through Monet’s house and gardens in the quiet of the morning allows you to truly absorb the surroundings without feeling rushed. The pond, covered in floating water lilies, is particularly stunning in the gentle morning glow.
By midday (11 AM–3 PM), tour buses roll in, and the gardens become a sea of visitors. Pathways get congested, and finding a quiet spot for contemplation or photography can be challenging.
If early mornings aren’t your thing, the late afternoon (after 3:30 PM) is a good alternative. Many day-trippers start to leave, making the experience more relaxed. However, the sunlight at this time of day is stronger and less ideal for capturing the dreamy, pastel-like hues that define Monet’s paintings.
Extra Tip: The gardens are best enjoyed in good weather. If possible, check the forecast before your visit to avoid rain, which can dampen the experience (though it does create a moody, impressionistic atmosphere!).
If you can, avoid weekends and holidays—these are peak times for tourists from Paris. Instead, aim for a Tuesday or Wednesday, when crowds are thinner. Mondays aren’t an option since the gardens are closed.
On weekends, the line to enter can be long, and the intimate experience of the gardens is diminished by large crowds. Midweek visits allow you to wander the flower beds, admire the Japanese bridge, and take in Monet’s house at a leisurely pace.
Pro Tip: If you want an even quieter experience, plan your visit for early spring or late autumn. These months attract fewer visitors while still offering beautiful seasonal blooms.
Giverny, home to Claude Monet’s celebrated gardens, offers a unique experience each month during its open season from April to October. The “best” time to visit depends on your floral preferences, desired ambiance, and crowd considerations:
Floral Highlight: If you’re visiting specifically for Monet’s iconic water lilies, July is the best month to see them in full bloom.
🌸 For peak flowers: Visit Monet’s gardens in May or June.
☀️ For warm weather: Visit Giverny between June and September.
🕘 For fewer crowds: Arrive at 9:30 AM or after 4:00 PM.
🚶♂️ For a peaceful visit: Visit on a weekday and avoid holidays.
Plan ahead, and you’ll experience Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny at their most breathtaking!
For more information about the garden’s blooming schedule, you can take a look at our page The Flowering Calendar of Claude Monet’s Gardens at Giverny.
The Flowering Calendar of Claude Monet’s Gardens at Giverny offers a glimpse into the seasonal beauty that inspired some of his most famous works. This FAQ highlights the best times to visit, showcasing the blooms that define each season and helping you plan your trip to experience the gardens in full bloom.
The best time to visit Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny for full bloom is from late April to early July. In April, tulips, daffodils, and cherry blossoms fill the garden with color. May is especially beautiful, with irises, wisteria, and peonies creating a spectacular floral display. By June and July, roses are at their peak, and the first water lilies start to bloom on Monet’s pond. From mid-June to early September, the water lilies reach their full splendor, making this one of the most picturesque times to visit.
The most beautiful months to visit Giverny are May and June. These months offer the most colorful and diverse blooms, with a mix of spring flowers and early summer blossoms. The gardens are at their fullest, and the mild weather makes exploring Monet’s house and gardens even more enjoyable.
Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny are open daily from April 1 to November 1, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM. The last admission is at 5:30 PM, so visitors should plan accordingly to have enough time to explore both the gardens and Monet’s home.
The best weather for visiting Monet’s gardens in Giverny is between May and September, when temperatures are mild to warm. Spring, from April to May, offers cooler mornings and warm afternoons, along with fresh, colorful blossoms. Summer, from June to August, brings warmer temperatures and lush greenery, with water lilies in full bloom on Monet’s pond. Fall, from September to October, introduces crisp air, golden hues, and late-blooming flowers, making it another great time to visit.
To avoid crowds in Giverny, it’s best to visit in early April or late October when there are fewer tourists but the gardens are still lovely. Weekdays, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, are less crowded compared to weekends. Arriving at Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny at 9:30 AM when they open, or later in the afternoon after 4:00 PM, ensures a quieter and more peaceful experience.
In April, visitors can enjoy tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and cherry blossoms. May is dominated by irises, wisteria, peonies, and a burst of colors throughout the flower beds. June and July bring roses in full bloom, along with the first water lilies appearing on Monet’s famous pond. In August and September, the water lilies reach their peak, while dahlias add vibrancy to the landscape. October marks the arrival of asters, chrysanthemums, and warm autumn tones before the gardens close for winter.
Spring and summer both offer unique experiences in Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny. Spring, particularly in April and May, is ideal for those who love fresh, bright blooms and mild temperatures. Summer, from June to August, provides the lushest greenery, with water lilies blooming on Monet’s pond, creating the famous reflections seen in his paintings. For those who prefer fewer crowds, early spring or late summer is the best time to visit.
The water lilies in Monet’s gardens in Giverny start blooming in mid-June, reaching their peak in July and August. They continue to bloom until early September, creating the dreamy, reflective pond scenes that inspired Monet’s most famous paintings.
May and June are the busiest months in Giverny, as they coincide with peak bloom, warm weather, and school vacations. Visitors can expect large crowds in Claude Monet’s gardens, particularly on weekends. For a quieter visit, planning a trip in early April or after mid-September is a better choice.
Claude Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny become extremely busy during French public holidays and school vacations, especially in May and June. To avoid large crowds, it’s best to visit on a weekday rather than a weekend or holiday.
To enjoy Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny without heavy crowds, visiting on a weekday—preferably Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday—is recommended. Arriving at 9:30 AM before tour groups arrive or coming later in the day after 4:00 PM allows for a more peaceful experience.
The best days to visit Monet’s gardens in Giverny are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, as weekends and Mondays tend to attract more tourists.
The Claude Monet Foundation in Giverny closes for the winter from November 2 to March 31. During this period, the gardens are dormant, and visitors cannot access them.