Seine valley: Giverny, Rouen and the abbeys
Follow the Seine from Monet’s garden past Richard the Lionheart’s castle and Rouen to the ruined abbeys of the lower valley and Honfleur.
- Distance
- 225 km (140 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 06 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- August 5, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 225 km (140 mi) with 8 stops, from Paris to Honfleur. About 3 h 06 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
Leave Paris on the A13 or, more slowly, along the Seine through the Vexin, and reach Giverny, 75 km away. Monet’s gardens open from April to early November; book a timed ticket and arrive at opening time to see the water-lily pond before the crowds. Large car parks below the village take motorhomes, and the Museum of Impressionisms is nearby.
Follow the D313 north along the river to Les Andelys, where Château Gaillard stands on a chalk spur above a bend of the Seine. The narrow lane up to the castle car park is steep; with a big vehicle, park in the lower town and walk. The view from the ruins over the white cliffs and the islands is one of the best in Normandy.
Continue to Rouen, where Joan of Arc was burned in 1431. Walk from the cathedral through the timber-framed streets to the Gros-Horloge and the old market square. Driving in the centre is difficult; use a park-and-ride or a car park on the edge. On summer nights a free light show is projected on the cathedral front.
West of Rouen the Route des Abbayes follows the D982 along the loops of the river. Stop at Jumièges, whose roofless abbey towers stand in a park, and at Saint-Wandrille, still home to monks. Small free ferries cross the Seine at several points. Finish over the tolled Pont de Normandie, or through Pont-Audemer, to the harbour at Honfleur.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Paris
France - 281 km
Claude Monet’s house and gardens
HistoryGiverny, FranceMonet’s pink house, flower garden and water-lily pond with its green Japanese bridge, open from April to early November. Book a timed ticket and come at opening time; large car parks lie below the village.
- 326 km
Château Gaillard
HistoryLes Andelys, FranceRichard the Lionheart’s castle, built in two years from 1196, on a chalk spur above a loop of the Seine. The grounds and viewpoint are free to walk around; a narrow lane leads up to a small car park.
- 440 km
Rouen
France - 51 km
Rouen Cathedral
HistoryRouen, FranceThe Gothic facade Monet painted more than thirty times, topped by a cast-iron spire of 151 m, the tallest in France. In summer a free light show is projected on the front after dark.
- 625 km
Jumièges Abbey
HistoryJumièges, FranceThe roofless towers and nave of a Benedictine abbey consecrated in 1067, standing in a landscaped park by the Seine. Allow an hour; the Mesnil-sous-Jumièges ferry crosses the river nearby for free.
- 749 km
Pont de Normandie
ViewsHonfleur, FranceA cable-stayed bridge opened in 1995 across the Seine estuary, with a main span of 856 m. There is a toll for cars and motorhomes; the approach viaduct gives a wide view of the estuary.
- 84 km
Honfleur
France
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Paris → Claude Monet’s house and gardens · 81 km · 1 h 07 minOvernight nearby, for example: Camping le Criquet (6 km); Camping du Château de Bouafles (19 km).
- Day 2: Claude Monet’s house and gardens → Rouen Cathedral · 66 km · 0 h 54 minOn the way: Château Gaillard, Rouen.Overnight nearby, for example: Aire de Camping-Car de Montville (12 km); Camp' Eure (16 km).
- Day 3: Rouen Cathedral → Honfleur · 78 km · 1 h 05 minOn the way: Jumièges Abbey, Pont de Normandie.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Du Phare (< 1 km); Aire Camping-Car Park La Rivière-Saint-Sauveur (3 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Paris: Low-emission zone (Crit’Air). A Crit’Air sticker is required and older vehicles may be banned. Order the sticker from the official website well in advance.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Seine valley: Giverny, Rouen and the abbeys?
3-day road trip of about 225 km (140 mi) with 8 stops, from Paris to Honfleur. About 3 h 06 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Seine valley: Giverny, Rouen and the abbeys?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 06 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Seine valley: Giverny, Rouen and the abbeys start and end?
It starts in Paris and ends in Honfleur.
Which countries does Seine valley: Giverny, Rouen and the abbeys pass through?
France.
Where can you camp along Seine valley: Giverny, Rouen and the abbeys?
OpenStreetMap lists 77 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Camping Les Rives de Paris - Neuilly-sur-Marne, Camping de l'Île des Trois Rois and Camping l'Île Adeline.
When is the best time for Seine valley: Giverny, Rouen and the abbeys?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
