Solo Female Trip to: Monet's House in Giverny
~ Transport ~
I treated myself to a bit of travel in style... I took the Eurostar from Kings Cross St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. I treated myself to Eurostar Plus - and paid £380. It felt calm and spacious and the on board meal was quite tasty. The Paris Metro to the Hotel was really easy and I didn't even have to change lines. I stayed two Nights in total in Paris - including the day Trip to Giverny and I managed to squeeze in the Museum of Decorative Arts as I only did a half day Giverny Tour. I then travelled south to meet my partner in Toulouse. I did not have time for Parisian shopping this time - but i'll be back!
~ Where I stayed ~
Hotel Henriette
Price from €109 per night - Room 61
I was recommended a wonderful boutique Hotel - named Hotel Henriette - by a fabulous bag making friend of mine - Anna Pugh bags. The style was contemporary and welcoming and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. I was feeling a little nervous with my school girl French - but they were very kind and can speak English. The breakfast was a delicious buffet spread of meats, cheese, fruit, croissants and bread. The other clientele there seemed to all be female, friendly and of older age. There was no kettle in the bedroom but water was provided. Yes, they had shampoo and hair dryer. I stayed in a small double - at the top and back with a view out to Paris!
~ What Tour I used ~
Giverny Monet’s Home and Gardens Half Day Tour from Paris
Price from £51
I found this on Tripadvisor and it had great reviews. This included the coach there and back, special entrance at the back of the gardens, an app with a walking tour. Tour guide talking a little about Monet on the coach. The meeting place was easy to find and near the Metro. I gave a 10 Euros tip for the driver and Tour guide to share.
~ Giverny, my thoughts ~
There were highs and lows. Oooh yes it was busy - but certainly an experience to enjoy! This was the first room I entered in the house - and what a show stopper! If these were real this gallery wall would be worth gazillions... I loved the eclectic feel and the scale of the paintings.
It seems that most of the other tourists were respectful of each other's space and allowed you to take pics - people free - if you wanted.
I loved this joyful shade of yellow and all of the Japanese black prints - delightful!
An air conditioned coach felt easy. But this came with a trade off - which meant I arrived with the hoards. I knew this would be the case - but I wanted ease… None the less the Gardens and house were spectacular. respectful so I popped my headphones on, stayed graceful and enjoyed the views.
I went on the famous bridge, I took a billion shots of Lillies. I went all in on the tourist thing and it was fun! It was also surprisingly quiet - I think many people had travelled here from afar and were in awe.
It was amazing to think that this place was the inspirational source for such a wondrously successful artist. I love how he was a gardener too!
I LOVED all the considered and dramatic colour combos within the garden. Which still had a wild yet playful and certainly bountiful feel.
The shop was awesome. Oh how I love Merch. Make sure you have room in your suitcase for that. I went left out the house and to a lovely cafe and ate a delicious salad and had a ice cream outside afterwards before strolling to my seat at the top and front of the coach to sleep all the way back to town.
and in the afternoon I went to...
~ The Museum of Decorative Arts ~
I wanted maximise my visit to Paris - and as the coach got into town about 3pm - I decided to hop on the metro and go to The Decorative Arts museum beside the Louvre. They had plenty of richly decorated and important pieces (including Napoleon’s ‘throne’) and it was not busy and you could just get a ticket on the door. One thing that I really loved about it was the rooms were huge 18th century and when you look closer were ‘shabby chic’ with modern displays within. Also has an exceptional shop…
By the time I had done all of this I was ready to hunker down and relax - so I picked up some tasty nibbles from the shop near my hotel and had a bed picnic whilst gawping at all of my shots. I am now in the process of designing a new piece inspired by my experience - watch this space for the progress shots and the drop!
~ Subscribe to Win! ~
I brought these rare merch beauties back with me on the train all the way from Giverny! Super soft and fabulous quality - Monet Lilies Socks! Subscribe to my Studio Coverdale Club Newsletter to be in with a chance to win these and a postcard from the Maison Monet Shop. Winner's e-mail will be picked by random on the 10th August 2026.
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x Natasha