A Travel Price Comparison for France Giverny vs. Mont-Saint-Michel for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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. And you can't forget about the food and museums.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont-Saint-Michel is a historic, breathtaking, and inspiring island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and food.

Giverny and Mont-Saint-Michel: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Giverny than Mont-Saint-Michel, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Giverny is better known for its small town charm, while Mont-Saint-Michel is more popular for its museums, nightlife, and hiking. Giverny is well known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Also, Giverny is famous for The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet. Mont-Saint-Michel is well known for its Gothic-style abbey and its medieval village that stands at its base.

How is Giverny different from Mont-Saint-Michel?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its historical sights. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its sights and museums.

The museums and tourist attractions in Mont-Saint-Michel are world-renowned. Visitors come to see the iconic Abbaye du Mont Saint-Michel which has been the inspiration for tourists and religious pilgrims for centuries. Make sure you see the Ramparts and La Grande Rue.

Many visitors head to Giverny specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Is the Food Better in Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Giverny and Mont-Saint-Michel can be difficult as they are each notable 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 Mont-Saint-Michel area. There are a number of local restaurants to choose from that serve authentic French cuisine including the pre-salted sheep, which is a local specialty.

Is Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Nightlife?

Mont-Saint-Michel is mediocre for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Mont-Saint-Michel Most people visit the island as a daytrip and nightlife is essentially nonexistent.

Giverny is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Hiking?

Mont-Saint-Michel is a popular place for hiking. However, Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a good destination for hiking. There's a 4.2 mile out and back trail that can be walked in about 1.5 hours.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.

Is Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Families?

Neither Giverny nor Mont-Saint-Michel are considered to be the most family-friendly destination.

For families, Giverny is not always the best place to visit. 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is not the most family-friendly destination. Kids may enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride or exploring the grounds, but it can make for a long day for kids with short attention spans.

Is Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Couples?

Mont-Saint-Michel is an amazing island to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for couples.

Mont-Saint-Michel makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. It's a stunning setting and makes a romantic backdrop for a couples holiday, whether it's part of a longer trip to France or a short weekend away.

Giverny is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Is Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Giverny and Mont-Saint-Michel are notable places to visit.

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. You'll find a couple of hostels an cheap hotels in the area.

Is Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Giverny and Mont-Saint-Michel both offer notable 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.

Mont-Saint-Michel has a few public transit options. There's a free shuttle bus that connects Mont-Saint-Michel to the mainland.

Is Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel a more walkable city?

Mont-Saint-Michel is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its ease of walking around.

Mont-Saint-Michel is a very walkable island. There are many stunning walks in the area.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable town. 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).

For even more information, also check out Is Giverny Worth Visiting? and Is Mont-Saint-Michel Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel or Giverny?

How long in Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel to fill your time. In our opinion, Mont-Saint-Michel has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Giverny. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Mont-Saint-Michel than Giverny 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 Mont-Saint-Michel.

One day in Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel?

With food and museums around the destination of Giverny, there's plenty to do. One day is often enough time to do most activities. It offers something for everyone.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find food and museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This island 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

With museums and food around the serene town of Giverny, there's plenty to do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

In Mont-Saint-Michel, you'll find museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Mont-Saint-Michel has to offer.

Five days in Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the inspiring destination of Giverny. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Mont-Saint-Michel 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

Giverny is a popular choice for travelers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Mont-Saint-Michel. Many people enjoy the museums and food when visiting Mont-Saint-Michel. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. 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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Giverny and Mont-Saint-Michel, we can see that Mont-Saint-Michel is more expensive. And not only is Giverny much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Giverny would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Giverny and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Mont-Saint-Michel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Mont-Saint-Michel than you might in Giverny.

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

Which is Bigger, Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Giverny has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Giverny and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Giverny as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. The small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Giverny is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 20°C (68°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mont-Saint-Michel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Giverny this time of the year. In the summer, Giverny often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel. Giverny gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Giverny gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Giverny are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Giverny is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Giverny in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Giverny usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Giverny gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Giverny during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Giverny in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Giverny is generally cooler than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Giverny average around 5°C (40°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Giverny often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Giverny gets 62 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Giverny usually gets less rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Giverny gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Giverny or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Giverny and Mont-Saint-Michel. Most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Giverny is a little warmer than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Giverny averages around 11°C (52°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Giverny usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Mont-Saint-Michel during spring. Giverny gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Giverny usually receives more rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Giverny gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Giverny