Top 10 Le Havre Shore Excursions
Perhaps better known as a ferry port, Le Havre welcomes many cruise ships sailing between northern Europe and the Med as well as ship on transatlantic adventures, which often makes it either the first or last port on your itinerary.
It makes for a great place to simply walk off of your ship, stretch your legs, walk around town and visit the few sites of interest found there but the fact that cruise lines often bill the port as for Paris or for Normandy hints that many will head out on excursion.
But just what are the top 10 Le Havre shore excursions? That is just what we answer in this list, which is based on our experience of visiting the port on a cruise holiday and the research we did before visiting there.
Shore Excursions In Le Havre
Versailles Palace and Gardens
This one will need you to have a long day in port for your visit to Le Havre as it is quite some distance between the coast and arguably the worlds most famous Chateau, but it is well worth it.
Enjoy a walk around its incredible gardens and its famous fountains after a guided walk of the many impressive rooms found throughout the Palace of Versailles, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list for 30 years.
Your tour is completed by a tour of the Queens apartments, four rooms that were decorated by different queens including Marie-Antoinette.
Normandy Landing Beaches
One of the main reasons for many to visit Normandy is to either pay respects to family members lost during the World Wars or it is to gain a further understanding of the sacrifices made and they are both things that can be done on a shore excursion from Le Havre.
Trips will vary depending on the time in shore you have but any will visit Juno and Gold landing beaches, Arromanches Beach where you can see what is left of the Mulberry and you will visit cemeteries, war memorials and often finish with poignant visit to Omaha Beach.
Paris On Your Own
If you are heading to Le Havre to be able to visit the French capital city of Paris, what better way is their to see it than to explore the city of love on your own?
A lot of cruise lines will call Le Havre Paris on their itineraries or will hedge their bets and call it Le Havre for Paris, so it will not come as too much of a surprise that many onboard will want to head to capital.
With so much to see and do in Paris, you really don’t want to be restricted to where a tour will take you and thanks to a decent metro system, it is easy to hop around the city, see what you want to see, do what you want to do and have the time you need to enjoy it.
Rouen Visit
Rouen is an incredible city that is full of history and that offers an easy to explore on your own medieval city centre where you will need to keep your camera in hand as there is always something to snap.
Amongst the highlights of any visit to the ancient capital of Normandy is its old town full of cobbled streets and wooden building, the bustling Rue Saint Romain, the cities fortified clock tower and law courts, the Place du Vieux Marche which is an old marketplace where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake but the highlight of any visit to the city is a visit to magnificent Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen.
River Seine Cruise
If you want a more relaxing visit to the crowded French capital city of Paris, why not head back onto the water and enjoy a river boat ride along the famous River Seine?
Along the way you will see some of the city’s most famous sights including the Palais de Chaillot, the Musee d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower and the iconic Cathedral of Notre dame and best of all, you can see it all whilst enjoying a traditional French lunch and some local wine.
Paris Tour
If you have never been to Paris before and want to see as much of it as you can do in the short time you will likely have in the city, your best option could be to enjoy a guided tour around the city.
With it taking up to 2 hours each way between the port and the city centre, visitors often only get a few hours to enjoy all that is on offer in Paris.
By staying onboard your coach to be taken around the city, you can save yourself some time and if you are not great at getting around large crowded cities, this could also be the perfect way to see all of Paris’ main sights.
Mont Saint Michel
Known as the ‘Wonder of the West’ the incredible Mont Saint-Michel is one of the icons of France and despite been around 3 hours away from Le Havre by road, many lines will offer the chance to visit there.
Located on a rocky island just off of the mainland of France, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is topped by a stunning Abbey and features a small historic town which can all be explored on foot.
The walk from the coach park across the link to the island offers some incredible views and great photography opportunities.
Étretat Visit
The sleepy coastal village of Étretat has proven to be an inspiration to numerous artists including the likes of Isabey, Turner, Matisse and Monet whilst numerous writers have been inspired by the natural beauty of the coast around the village.
Cruisers can find their own inspiration by taking a walk around the enchanting vulalge before heading along the coast to see the beautiful chalk cliffs of this dramatic stretch of coastline around 40 minutes north of Le Havre.
Honfleur Visit
To the south of Le Havre, just across the River Seine, is the charming town of Honfleur which was an important trading port in the Middle Ages and still retains an historic feel to it today.
Its beautiful historic harbour is a great place to walk around and grab a drink in one of the many waterside bars and cafes whilst other attractions in the town include a beautiful gardens and St Catherine’s Church which is France’s largest timber-built church.
Giverny Visit
This is perhaps the one place on this list that many will not have heard of, well that is unless you happen to be a fan of the French impressionist painter, Claude Monet.
It was in the idyllic village of Giverny live for the last almost 50 years of his life and where many of his most famous painters were created.
That includes his famous water lily series that were inspired by his own gardens at his house which are now a museum that can be visited on an excursion from your ship.
The small village sits on the banks of the River Seine and the drive to it gives the chance to see some of the beautiful countryside France is so fame for.
Le Havre ShoreEx
If you have booked a cruise calling into the French port of Le Havre or if you are researching to see if a stop there is right for you or not, the chances are that you will be wanting to see what Le Havre shoreex opportunities they are.
That is what we do in this list in what we believe are the top 10 Le Havre shoreex that can be booked via your line or via local providers.
