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

Should you visit Versailles or Giverny?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Versailles or Giverny, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Versailles

Versailles is a ornate, opulent, and historic palace. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the museums.

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. Other reasons to visit include food and museums.

Versailles and Giverny: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Versailles or Giverny?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Giverny. Although Versailles and Giverny are popular destinations, Giverny has more sights and attractions for tourists. Giverny is very popular for its food and small town charm, while Versailles attracts visitors for its museums. Versailles is famous for its long running history and its grand architecture. Giverny is famous for being the home and inspiration for Claude Monet. It is also well known for The Home and Gardens of Claude Monet.

How is Versailles different from Giverny?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Versailles is an amazing palace 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 Versailles are world-renowned. The palace is filled with history and impressive items relating to the royal family. Within and near the palace you should make sure you see the Gardens of Versailles, Grand Trianon, the Hall of Mirrors, and the Royal Opera of Versailles.

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 Versailles or Giverny? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Giverny is a nice place to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Versailles is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Giverny. There are cozy cafes and charming restaurants in the town. If you visit as part of a tour, a restaurant stop may be included.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Versailles. There are a couple of restaurants and cafes on the grounds.

Is Versailles or Giverny Better for Families?

Giverny is adequate for its kid-friendly activities. However, Versailles is not known for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Versailles does not offer many kid-friendly activities. While there are those unicorn children who fall in love with the grand setting, for most kids, a visit to Versailles can make for make for a long and draining day.

Is Versailles or Giverny Better for Couples?

Versailles and Giverny are both very good to visit as a couple.

Versailles is a great palace if you're traveling as a couple. It's opulence, grandeur, and history make this a wonderful place to explore as a couple. There are gardens and other unique settings that make Versailles very romantic.

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 Versailles or Giverny Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Giverny is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Versailles is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Versailles is great for times when you don't have a car. Also, Giverny is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Versailles has some very good public transit options. There are SNCF trains that travel from Gare Montparnasse to Versailles Chantiers train station and additional trains that travel between Gare Saint Lazare and Versailles Rive Droite.

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 Versailles or Giverny a more walkable city?

Versailles 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.

Versailles is a very walkable palace. It's approximately a 20 minute walk from the Versailles Chantiers train station to the entrance to the palace. Versailles Rive Droite is slightly closer.

Giverny is a somewhat walkable palace. 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 Versailles Worth Visiting? and Is Giverny Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Giverny or Versailles?

How long in Versailles or Giverny?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Versailles 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 Giverny than Versailles. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Giverny, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Giverny than Versailles 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 Versailles or Giverny?

In Versailles, you'll find museums. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This palace offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With museums and food around the picturesque town of Giverny, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Giverny, one day is sufficent for most.

A weekend in Versailles or Giverny?

In Versailles, you'll find museums. 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 Versailles has to offer.

With food and museums around the destination of Giverny, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this town.

Five days in Versailles or Giverny?

Versailles 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.

Giverny, a popular town, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Versailles or Giverny?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Versailles. Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Versailles. 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.

Giverny is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in France, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in France, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in France, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Versailles and Giverny, we can see that Versailles 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 Versailles would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Versailles 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 Versailles Expensive? and Is Giverny Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Versailles or Giverny?

Versailles has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Versailles 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 Versailles 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 Versailles or Giverny in the Summer?

Both Giverny and Versailles are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Versailles is around the same temperature as Giverny. Typically, the summer temperatures in Versailles in July average around 20°C (68°F), and Giverny averages at about 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Giverny. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Versailles. Versailles usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny during summer. Versailles gets 239 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

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

Should I visit Versailles or Giverny in the Autumn?

Both Giverny and Versailles during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Versailles for the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Giverny because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

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

In the autumn, Versailles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Versailles gets 126 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Giverny. Versailles gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Versailles or Giverny in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Versailles and Giverny. The winter months attract visitors to Versailles because of the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

It's quite cold in Giverny in the winter. The weather in Versailles can be very cold. Versailles is around the same temperature as Giverny in the winter. The daily temperature in Versailles averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Versailles usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during winter. Versailles gets 56 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Versailles or Giverny in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Versailles as well as Giverny. The natural beauty are the main draw to Versailles this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Versailles is around the same temperature as Giverny. Typically, the spring temperatures in Versailles in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Giverny averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Versailles often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Versailles gets 173 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

Versailles usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Giverny. Versailles gets 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Versailles