A Travel Price Comparison for France Saint-Etienne vs. Giverny for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Saint-Etienne and Giverny. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne is a historic, park-filled, and industrial city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking, museums, and nightlife.

Giverny

Giverny is a picturesque, peaceful, and serene town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food and museums.

Saint-Etienne and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Home and Gardens of Claude Monet
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less family-friendly


Is there more to do in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Giverny than Saint-Etienne, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Giverny is better known for its museums & sights, food, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Saint-Etienne is more popular for its nightlife, hiking, and shopping. Giverny is more touristy than Saint-Etienne and is known for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. Also, Giverny is famous for The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet. Saint-Etienne is well known for its industrial and manufacturing past.

How is Saint-Etienne different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Giverny is great for its historical sights. Also, Saint-Etienne is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Giverny. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Saint-Etienne. There are several great museums in town including the Musée d'Art et d'Industrie, Musée de la Mine, Musée des Verts, and the planetarium.


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

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Giverny is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Saint-Etienne may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Try the many local cheeses which are a defining part of the cuisine in the area. You'll find some local restaurants around town where you can sample local flavors.

Is Saint-Etienne or Giverny Better for Nightlife?

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Saint-Etienne is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Giverny is not a good destination for its evening party scene.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint-Etienne has a few options to choose from. The nightlife is centered around sipping wine or visiting one of the clubs in town.

Most people don't head to Giverny specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's generally considered a daytime destination so you won't find much nightlife here.

Is Saint-Etienne or Giverny Better for Hiking?

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

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

Saint-Etienne is a good destination for hiking. You'll find several great hikes just outside of town. It's a great way to experience the surrounding countryside.

Giverny is not a hiking destination.


Is the Shopping Better in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Saint-Etienne is adequate for its shopping opportunities. However, Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Saint-Etienne has some nice offerings. Shopping malls and several boutique shopping areas make up the city's shopping scene.

Giverny is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint-Etienne or Giverny Better for Families?

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

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

Saint-Etienne offers lots of family activities. There are several kid-friendly museums as well as plenty of natural settings just outside of town. Your kids can run around and stretch their legs nearby at Crest of the Partridge or on a rainy day, the planetarium is a fun place to visit.

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 Saint-Etienne or Giverny Better for Couples?

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Giverny is great for its romantic activities. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for couples.

Giverny is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Saint-Etienne is not always the best place to visit for a couple. There are museums, parks, gardens, and beautiful architecture that make this a wonderful place for couples.


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

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Giverny is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint-Etienne is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Saint-Etienne is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the backpacker trail, but there are hostels and plenty of activities to enjoy.

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

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Saint-Etienne and Giverny both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Saint-Etienne offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are tram and bus options available in town.

Giverny has a few public transit options. 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.

Is Saint-Etienne or Giverny a more walkable city?

Saint-Etienne
Giverny

Saint-Etienne and Giverny are notable when it comes to walkability.

Saint-Etienne is a somewhat walkable place. There are several walkable areas in the city.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable city. 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 Saint-Etienne Worth Visiting? and Is Giverny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Saint-Etienne?

How long in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Saint-Etienne or Giverny to fill your time. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. However, 1-2 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

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


  • How many days in Saint-Etienne or Giverny? Ideal Length of Stay
    Saint-Etienne 1-2 
    Giverny 1-2

One day in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find nightlife and museums. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the peaceful destination of Giverny. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one day is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A weekend in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

In Saint-Etienne, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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 Saint-Etienne has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Giverny. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

Saint-Etienne 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the inspiring destination of Giverny. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.


A week in Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

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

You'll find museums and food around the beautiful town of Giverny. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Paris, The Best 10-Day Tours from Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to France.


Which place is cheaper, Giverny or Saint-Etienne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint-Etienne is €108, while the average daily cost in Giverny is €125. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint-Etienne and Giverny in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint-Etienne 46
    Giverny 60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint-Etienne 92
    Giverny 120
Compare Hotels in Saint-Etienne and Giverny

Looking for a hotel in Saint-Etienne or Giverny? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saint-Etienne


Hotels in Giverny


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint-Etienne 44
    Giverny 48

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Giverny

Also for Giverny, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Tourist transfert with stops from Caen to Mont Saint Michel: $393
  • Tourist transfert with stops from Mont Saint Michel to Caen: $393

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

Prices for flights to both Giverny and Saint-Etienne change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint-Etienne 34
    Giverny 35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint-Etienne 25
    Giverny 26

Tours and Activities in Giverny

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Giverny.

  • Bike tour from Vernon to Giverny with local guide: $38
  • Giverny Gems: Exclusive Guided Walking Tour: $196
  • Giverny Monet House and Gardens Skip the line Walking tour: $61
  • Giverny Private Guided Walking Tour: $329
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $285
  • Monet's House & Gardens Private Guided Walking Tour: $274
  • Monet's House and Gardens Guided Tour: $64
  • Monet’s House and Gardens Skip-the-Line Tour: $60
  • Private Guided Walking Tour with Monet's House: $274
  • Guided Tour of Monet's Gardens/small group: $65
  • Guided tour Monet's house and gardens/small group: $66

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint-Etienne 10
    Giverny 6.64


When comparing the travel costs between Saint-Etienne and Giverny, we can see that Giverny 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 Saint-Etienne Expensive? and Is Giverny Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

Saint-Etienne has a larger population, and is about 310 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Saint-Etienne and Giverny, 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 Saint-Etienne or Giverny?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and Saint-Etienne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint-Etienne this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 22°C (71°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Giverny. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint-Etienne. Saint-Etienne usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during summer. Saint-Etienne gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Giverny. Saint-Etienne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint-Etienne 22°C (71°F) 
    Giverny 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and Saint-Etienne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint-Etienne for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint-Etienne in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Saint-Etienne gets 127 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in October than Giverny. Saint-Etienne gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint-Etienne 14°C (56°F) 
    Giverny 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint-Etienne and Giverny. Many visitors come to Saint-Etienne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Giverny can be very cold during winter. Saint-Etienne can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint-Etienne is generally cooler than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Saint-Etienne average around 4°C (39°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny during winter. Saint-Etienne gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint-Etienne usually receives around the same amount of rain as Giverny. Saint-Etienne gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint-Etienne 4°C (39°F) 
    Giverny 5°C (40°F)

Should I visit Saint-Etienne or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint-Etienne as well as Giverny. Most visitors come to Saint-Etienne for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Saint-Etienne is around the same temperature as Giverny in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint-Etienne averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Saint-Etienne often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Saint-Etienne gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

Saint-Etienne usually gets more rain in April than Giverny. Saint-Etienne gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint-Etienne 11°C (53°F) 
    Giverny 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Giverny and Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne Giverny
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 5°C (40°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (47°F) 52 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (1.9 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 15°C (59°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 18°C (64°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in) 20°C (67°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in) 17°C (63°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 8°C (47°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 5°C (42°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)