Most of the accommodation, restaurants and visitor facilities are on the south bank of the Seine, while the major visitor attraction, Monet’s gardens at Giverny, is on the north bank, a short drive away. You’ll find there’s only way of getting between the two sides of the River Seine in this area, via the 1950s Clemenceau Bridge in the heart of Vernon.

South of the river, the old town of Vernon is laid out in a grid pattern that’s very easy to navigate. Across the bridge, to the north of the river, the arterial roads fan out in all directions.

Vernon is perfectly placed if you want to take in more of what France has to offer. The capital of the Normandy Region, Rouen, can be reached in an hour via the A13 to the north. Bursting with impressive museums, breathtaking architecture and a stunning cathedral, Rouen is the perfect place for a day trip.

The capital city of Paris can be reached in just over one hour along the A13 and A14 to the south. Filled with world famous attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Lourve and the Arc de Triomphe, Paris is a must-see place for anyone in the area.

Other major towns nearby are even easier to reach by car. Evreux is a short drive to the west while Beauvais, with it’s incredible cathedral is similar drive to the north-east.

Generally you’ll find it’s easy to get around this part of Normandy, the traffic is usually light and the roads are well maintained. The Vernon Bridge forms a hub for the roads in the area to cross the river, so useful trunk roads branch off in all directions.

Set among beautiful surroundings, Vernon is great place to explore. While it may not be as well known as neighbouring cities like Paris and Rouen, it’s a stunning city with a whole host of attractions for tourists.

The Monet attractions

You’ll find the Gardens of Giverny are a short drive from Vernon, and it’s here where impressionist painter Claude Monet lived for 43 years until he died in 1926.

Monet’s paintings of the water lilies here are some of his best-known works and the gardens have become one of France’s top tourist attractions. They attract art lovers and garden enthusiasts alike, because they have been preserved much as they would have been 100 years ago.

You can still see the water lilies as they would have looked to Monet. From the spring bulbs to the autumn dahlias, there’s something to see for all the opening season, from April to October.

Monet’s house here has been preserved in its original state too and it’s wonderful to take a tour, imagining the artist at work on his paintings.

Nearby is an Impressionism Museum showing work by other associated painters. The best place to see Monet’s original paintings, however, is in the Orangerie Museum in Paris.

Other sights to see

The old town of Vernon itself is worth a visit. The historic streets around the old Notre Dame church are full of pretty half-timbered buildings that are typical of the Normandy region.

There’s a grand 19^th-century town hall, an old stone fortified tower and plenty of craft shops, galleries and cafes. And look out for the Alphonse-George Poulain Museum, it has a small collection of original Monet works.

If you stroll down to the riverside, you’ll find it is a great spot to hop onto one of the river cruise boats. There are gorgeous views across to the leafy north bank of the river. The picturesque Old Mill jutting out on the far side of the river is the most photographed spot in the city and has become the unofficial symbol of Vernon.

Exploring the wider surroundings

If you’ve got a hire car there’s a lovely stately home to visit and it’s just short drive from Vernon. The Chateau de Bizy is surrounded by impressive gardens which are dotted with grand fountains and the house’s period interior is packed with antique furniture.

The busy city of Evreux is just 30 minutes’ drive to the west. It’s worth a visit to see the majestic Renaissance cathedral with its collection of renowned stained glass windows and Evreux is a good place to browse shops and museums too.

In the other direction it’s only about eight miles east to La Roche-Guyon, which is officially classified as one of France’s ‘most beautiful villages’.  This pretty community is a perfect place for a leisurely stroll past the old cottages and their gardens dotted along the riverbank. The whole charming scene is overlooked by the glorious remains of a medieval castle on the cliffs above.