A Travel Price Comparison for France Giverny vs. Calais for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Giverny or Calais?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Giverny or Calais? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Giverny

Giverny is a inspiring, picturesque, and peaceful town. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food and museums.

Calais

Calais is a undiscovered, coastal, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Giverny and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Calais?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Calais. Although Giverny and Calais are both popular with visitors, Calais has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Calais is more popular for its nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Giverny is known for its museums, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Giverny is more touristy than Calais and is popular for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Calais is popular for being a gateway for travelers to France. It is also home to The Town Hall.

How is Giverny different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Calais and Giverny. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Giverny or Calais?

Giverny is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

Giverny offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The town is most notable as the home of Claude Monet between 1883 and 1926. Highlights of a visit include visiting Jardin d'Eau (The Water Garden), The Normandy Garden, and Monet's House.

Calais is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Is the Food Better in Giverny or Calais? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Giverny and Calais can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.

Giverny has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Calais area. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Giverny or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Calais is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Calais Better for Beaches?

Calais is a popular place for the beache. However, Giverny is not a beach destination.

Calais is a good option for a beach vacation. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Giverny is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Giverny or Calais?

Calais is a popular place for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Giverny or Calais Better for Families?

Calais is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Calais offers lots of family activities. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Giverny is not the most family-friendly destination. The gardens are stunning and the house is impressive, but it's best to prepare younger kids with some activities beforehand. Even the most art-minded children will appreciate a hands-on activity that helps bring the experience to life.

Is Giverny or Calais Better for Couples?

Giverny is well known for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Giverny frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The setting seeped in romance and the gardens bring art to life. On occasion you may even see a young couple get engaged during their visit.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

Is Giverny or Calais Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Giverny is a popular place for backpackers. However, Calais is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Giverny. Many people, backpackers included, visit the town as a day trip from Paris. It's possible to visit by train and shuttle bus.

Calais is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. This part of France is often overlooked by tourists so you won't find many backpackers or hostels in the area. It does offer a glimpse into an authentic side of France.

Is Giverny or Calais Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Giverny and Calais both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Giverny offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. You can reach Giverny by train from Paris. You'll leave from the Gare Saint-Lazare train station in Paris and arrive in the town of Vernon. The trip is about 45 minutes. From there you can take a bus or taxi on to Giverny.

Calais has a few public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Giverny or Calais a more walkable city?

Giverny and Calais are good when it comes to walkability.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable place. Many people choose to walk between the town of Vernon and Giverny, both of which are worth visiting. They're separated by about 6 kilometers (3.5 miles).

Calais is a somewhat walkable town. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

For even more information, also check out Is Giverny Worth Visiting? and Is Calais Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Calais or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Giverny and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Calais than in Giverny. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Giverny, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Calais than Giverny. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Calais, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Giverny than Calais. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Giverny that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Giverny than Calais if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Giverny.

One day in Giverny or Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Giverny. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Calais, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Giverny or Calais?

Giverny is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Calais, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Calais has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Giverny. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Calais is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Giverny or Calais?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the serene destination of Giverny. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Calais. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, The Best Adventure Tours to France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France.

When comparing the travel costs between Giverny and Calais, we can see that Calais is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Giverny Expensive? and Is Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Giverny and Calais, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Giverny or Calais?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Giverny or Calais in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Calais. The summer months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the summer, Giverny is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the summer temperatures in Giverny in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Calais averages at about 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Calais. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Giverny this time of the year. In the summer, Giverny often gets more sunshine than Calais. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 212 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in July than Calais. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Calais in the Autumn?

Both Calais and Giverny are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Giverny this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Giverny is generally around the same temperature as Calais. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 13°C (56°F), and Calais fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Giverny usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during autumn. Giverny gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 119 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Giverny usually receives less rain than Calais. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Giverny or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Giverny during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Calais in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Calais can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Giverny. Giverny is around the same temperature as Calais in the winter. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the winter, Giverny often gets more sunshine than Calais. Giverny gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Calais receives 57 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in January than Calais. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Calais in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Giverny and Calais. Many visitors come to Giverny in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Calais for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

In the spring, Giverny is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the spring temperatures in Giverny in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Calais averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Giverny usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Calais during spring. Giverny gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Calais receives 162 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Giverny usually receives more rain than Calais. Giverny gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Calais and Giverny