Car Rental - Vernon

Vernon is not a large town, but it’s home to some fascinating buildings and museums. Hop in a holiday or business car rental and explore some of its charm. One of its main attractions is the church, Collegiale Notre-Dame, which was remodeled over several centuries and showcases a unique blend of architectural styles.

The area around the church is the oldest part of the town, and filled with historic buildings such as the 14^th-century Maison du Temps Jadis, which now serves as a tourism center. Here you can pick up a map that will guide you to the most important buildings in the town, as well as collecting your tickets for Giverny house and gardens.

Just a short distance from the church, you’ll find the Musée Alphonse Georges-Poulain, a townhouse filled with artifacts showcasing the history of Vernon. The main attraction is its art collection – you’ll find two Monet paintings here, as well as works by Edouard Vuillard and Felix Vallotton.

Perhaps the most famous sight in Vernon is the Old Mill – Le Vieux Moulin – a historic timber house perched on parts of an ancient bridge over the river. And not far away you’ll find Vernon’s castle, the Château des Tourelles, which dates back to the 12^th century.

Just a short drive outside Vernon with your car rental is Giverny, a small village that’s home to the house and gardens that once belonged to one of the founders of Impressionist painting, Claude Monet.

The artist lived here for more than 40 years until his death in 1926. Giverny is where he created some of his most recognized works, including the water lily and Japanese bridge paintings.

Today, the gardens are still filled with thousands of flowers, and there’s a Japanese garden that even features a replica of Monet’s famous bridge. The house and its colorful interior have been preserved, and you can even see Monet’s bedroom and the studio where he worked.

Monet’s house and gardens are a popular attraction, so it’s a good idea to reserve tickets online before you go. It’s also worth taking some time to explore the village of Giverny, where you’ll find picturesque streets and historic buildings.

With a rental car, it’s also possible to head further afield from Vernon and explore other destinations in this part of northern France. Just a short distance north-west of Vernon lies Rouen, the capital of Normandy and a historic city with a medieval old town and many fascinating buildings to explore.

Perhaps most famous is its Notre-Dame Cathedral, an impressive Gothic building that was painted several times by Monet. Also not to be missed is Le Gros Horloge, an astronomical clock set on a Renaissance arch over the street of the same name.