Giverny and Versailles combined one day tour
Can you do Giverny and Versailles in one day from Paris? Technically yes. Should you? That's a different question. Both sites require tickets, both get crowded, and they're in opposite directions from Paris. You'll spend more time on trains than at either destination.
Giverny and Versailles in one day means waking up early, moving fast, and accepting you won't see everything at either place. Tours handle the logistics but lock you into tight schedules. DIY gives flexibility but adds stress. Either way, it's a long day.
This works for people who are short on time and want to check both boxes. It doesn't work for people who want to relax, take photos without rushing, or actually absorb what they're seeing. Know which type you are before booking.
Reality check: Most people who do this wish they'd picked one destination and done it properly. But if you only have one day and you're determined to see both, here's how to make it work.
| Factor | Details |
| Total time needed | 12-14 hours door to door |
| Time at Giverny | 2-2.5 hours if rushed |
| Time at Versailles | 3-4 hours if rushed |
| Travel time total | 4-5 hours between sites and Paris |
| Best approach | Organized tour or very early DIY start |
| Difficulty | High - requires stamina and tight timing |
| Who should skip this | Anyone who dislikes rushing or crowds |
Giverny and Versailles Tickets - How to Book
Both Giverny and Versailles require advance tickets. Showing up without tickets wastes time you don't have on a combo day.
Giverny Tickets
Monet's house and gardens require timed entry tickets. Book online through the official Fondation Monet site or major platforms. Tickets cost around 11-12 euros. Peak season (May-June) sells out weeks ahead. You need a specific time slot - if you miss it, you're screwed.
Tip: Book the earliest Giverny slot available (9:30 AM) to give yourself buffer time for the rest of the day.
Versailles Tickets
Palace of Versailles has multiple ticket types. The basic Palace ticket covers the main apartments and Hall of Mirrors. The Passport ticket adds the gardens, Trianon palaces, and Marie Antoinette's estate. For a rushed combo day, stick with the basic Palace ticket - you won't have time for the full estate anyway.
Skip-the-line tickets are essential. The regular entry line can be 1-2 hours in summer. Book through the official Versailles site or our partners. Expect 20-30 euros for basic entry.
Combo Tour Tickets
Organized tours include transport, tickets, and guide for both sites. Cost runs 150-200 euros per person. Tours handle all logistics - you just show up at the meeting point. Check day tour operators for current options.
Note: Tours give you less time at each site than DIY but eliminate all planning stress. Trade-off depends on your priorities.
How to Do Giverny and Versailles in One Day
You have two realistic options: organized tour or DIY with car. Public transport for both in one day is theoretically possible but so tight on timing that one delay ruins everything.
Option 1: Organized Tour
Several companies run Giverny and Versailles combo tours. The bus picks you up in Paris (usually 7-8 AM), drives to Giverny first (closer, less crowded early), gives you 2 hours there, then heads to Versailles for 3-4 hours, returns to Paris by evening.
Tours cost 150-200 euros including transport, tickets, and guide. You're on their schedule with no flexibility. But you don't have to think about trains, tickets, or timing. For most people doing this combo, tours are the smart choice.
Option 2: DIY with Rental Car
Rent a car in Paris. Drive to Giverny first (1 hour), spend 2-3 hours, drive to Versailles (1.5 hours), spend 3-4 hours, drive back to Paris (30 minutes). Total driving time is about 3 hours plus parking hassles.
This gives you control over timing and lets you stay longer if you want. But driving in Paris is stressful, parking at both sites can be difficult, and you're responsible for all logistics. Works if you're comfortable with European driving and navigation.
Car rental costs 50-80 euros plus gas (20-30 euros). Add tickets for both sites. Total cost similar to tours but with more flexibility and more stress.
Option 3: Public Transport
Train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Vernon (50 min), shuttle bus to Giverny (15 min), reverse back to Paris, then RER C to Versailles (1 hour). The connections are tight. If you miss one train or the shuttle, your whole day collapses.
This is the cheapest option (maybe 40-50 euros total for transport plus tickets) but the most stressful. Only attempt if you're very comfortable with French trains and don't mind risk. Most people doing this combo should skip public transport.
One Day Itinerary - Tour Version
This assumes you're on an organized tour. DIY timing is similar but you control the pace.
7:00-8:00 AM: Departure from Paris
Tour bus picks you up at central Paris meeting point. Usually near major hotels or metro stations. The ride to Giverny takes about 1 hour depending on traffic.
8:00-10:30 AM: Giverny
Arrive Giverny around 8:30-9:00 AM. You have 2-2.5 hours to see Monet's house, the water lily pond, and the flower gardens. This is tight but workable if you move efficiently.
Start with the house (30-45 min) - Monet's studio, Japanese print collection, yellow dining room. Then the Clos Normand flower garden (30 min). Finish with the water garden and famous Japanese bridge (45 min). Skip the gift shop unless you're fast.
Tours usually include some guide commentary about Monet's life and Impressionism. Listen while walking to save time.
Tip: The water lilies bloom best May-June. Other months the pond is green but less spectacular. Manage expectations.
10:30-11:00 AM: Travel to Versailles
Bus drives from Giverny to Versailles. The route goes around Paris, not through it, taking about 1.5 hours. Use this time to rest - you'll be walking a lot at Versailles.
12:00-12:45 PM: Lunch
Most tours include a lunch stop or break. Either at Versailles town or on the palace grounds. Tour lunches are usually mediocre - bring snacks if you're picky. Some tours include lunch in the price, others give you free time to buy food.
12:45-4:00 PM: Versailles
You have 3-3.5 hours at Versailles. On a combo day, you're seeing the Palace only - no time for the full gardens or Trianon estate.
The tour guide leads you through the State Apartments, Hall of Mirrors, and King's chambers (90 min). Then you have free time to explore on your own or walk the gardens briefly (60-90 min).
The Palace is massive and crowded. Stick with your group during the guided portion or you'll get lost. The Hall of Mirrors is the highlight - gold, mirrors, painted ceilings, the room where the Treaty of Versailles was signed.
If you have extra time, walk to the gardens behind the Palace. They're huge and you won't see much, but the view from the terrace is worth it.
4:00-5:30 PM: Return to Paris
Bus departs Versailles mid-afternoon. The drive back to Paris takes 45 min to 1 hour depending on traffic. You'll arrive in central Paris by early evening, exhausted.
One Day Itinerary - DIY Car Version
7:00 AM: Pick up rental car
Get your car early. Paris rental agencies open around 7-8 AM. Allow 30 minutes for paperwork and getting out of the city.
7:30-8:30 AM: Drive to Giverny
Take A13 motorway west, exit at Vernon, follow signs to Giverny. About 1 hour drive. Parking in Giverny village is limited - arrive early for spots.
8:30-11:00 AM: Giverny
You have your 9:30 AM timed ticket. Spend 2-2.5 hours seeing the house, gardens, and pond. Same route as tour version but you control the pace. Take more photos, sit by the pond, actually read the signs.
11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Drive to Versailles
The drive from Giverny to Versailles takes 1-1.5 hours depending on route and traffic. GPS will route you around Paris via A13 and A12. Don't try to cut through Paris - you'll hit traffic.
12:30-1:15 PM: Lunch
Grab lunch in Versailles town before hitting the Palace. Rue de Satory has cafes and sandwich shops. Or bring a picnic and eat in the Palace gardens if weather is good.
1:15-5:00 PM: Versailles
You have 3-4 hours at Versailles. Use your skip-the-line ticket to enter the Palace. Do the self-guided audio tour through the State Apartments and Hall of Mirrors (90-120 min).
Then walk the gardens. You won't see everything but you can hit the main fountains and Grand Canal (60-90 min). If you're exhausted, skip the gardens and just see the Palace.
5:00-6:00 PM: Drive back to Paris
Return to Paris and drop the car. Evening traffic can be heavy so allow extra time. You'll be back in central Paris by 6-7 PM.
Why This Is Hard
Giverny and Versailles are both worth full days on their own. Cramming them together means you see less of each and spend more time traveling.
Giverny deserves 4-5 hours to see the gardens properly, visit the Impressionist Museum, walk the village, and have lunch without rushing. On a combo day you get 2 hours and skip everything except Monet's property.
Versailles deserves 6-8 hours to see the Palace, gardens, Trianon palaces, and Marie Antoinette's estate. On a combo day you get 3-4 hours and only see the main Palace, maybe a quick garden walk.
You're also doing a lot of sitting - in the bus or car for 4-5 hours total. That's exhausting even before you factor in walking miles at both sites.
Who Should Do This
This combo works for:
- People with very limited time in Paris who want to see both highlights
- Travelers who prefer checking boxes over deep experiences
- Visitors who've already seen one site and want to add the other efficiently
- Tour groups or families who want a structured full-day experience
Who Should Skip This
Skip the combo if you:
- Hate rushing or tight schedules
- Want time to absorb and photograph what you're seeing
- Get tired easily or have mobility issues
- Prefer depth over breadth
- Have more than 3-4 days in Paris
Seriously - most people who do this combo say they wish they'd picked one destination and done it properly. The travel time eats up the day and you're too rushed at both sites to enjoy them.
Better Alternatives
Separate Days
Do Giverny one day and Versailles another. You'll see more, stress less, and actually remember what you saw. This is the smart choice if you have time.
Pick One
Choose based on interests. Love Impressionism and gardens? Do Giverny. Love palaces and history? Do Versailles. Both are excellent - you don't need to see both to have a complete Paris trip.
Different Combo
If you want a two-site day, pick destinations that are closer together. Versailles + Chartres works better (both south of Paris). Giverny + Rouen works better (both northwest). Check other garden and art trips or castle options for better pairings.
Practical Tips
What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes - you'll walk 5-8 miles total
- Water and snacks - tour lunches are often mediocre
- Sunscreen and hat for summer visits
- Rain jacket - weather changes fast
- Phone charger - you'll use GPS and take lots of photos
- Small backpack for carrying stuff between sites
Timing Strategy
Do Giverny first. It's smaller, less crowded early, and the gardens look best in morning light. Versailles can handle afternoon visits better.
Book the earliest possible Giverny ticket (9:30 AM) to maximize your day. Late starts doom the whole schedule.
Energy Management
This is a 12-14 hour day with lots of walking. Eat a big breakfast. Bring snacks. Stay hydrated. Accept that you'll be tired by evening.
If you're traveling with kids or elderly family, this combo is probably too much. Pick one destination instead.
