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 19th-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.
