Cruises to Le Havre

365 Reviews
Le Havre (Photo:Yuryev Pavel/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Le Havre

Le Havre, which lies along the English Channel on France's western coast, is the common port of entry for big ships calling on Paris and most typically a place to go through on your way to the City of Lights. By no means would we dissuade passengers cruising to France from making the long slog to "tres magnifique" Paris on a first visit, but on a return trip, Le Havre itself, both on its own merits and because of its proximity to Normandy (which is also quite magical), is worth a look-see.

While Le Havre is an ancient and textured city, dating back to the 16th century, it was badly bombed during World War II, losing much of its historic appeal. Still, it's been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of the way it was rebuilt; the organization noted that Le Havre is "exceptional among many reconstructed cities for its unity and integrity."

Le Havre's prime location between Honfleur and Normandy offers a huge range of options. It's a gateway to the beaches that witnessed the bravery of D-Day and to the coasts and countryside that inspired so many artists. It's also a good place to visit for its art galleries and cafes, and it offers a relaxing alternative to the half-day commute into Paris.

  • More about Le Havre

  • Why Cruise to Le Havre?

  • Le Havre Cruise Port Facilities?

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Holland America Line's Rotterdam at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

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More about Le Havre

Why Cruise to Le Havre?

Pros:

A gateway to Paris and close to Normandy, the port itself has some excellent cafes and restaurants

Cons:

Le Havre was heavily bombed during WWII and as a result lost many of its ancient sites and buildings

Bottom Line:

Often overlooked by out-of-town attractions, Le Havre offers ample to see and do during a short visit

Le Havre Cruise Port Facilities?

Le Havre's cruise terminal offers a variety of services, including car rental agencies, a taxi station, shops, a cafe, Internet-accessible computers, free Wi-Fi, an ATM, a tourist office and bicycle rentals.

Travelers who have already visited Paris might want to consider touring Normandy -- fascinating in its own right, not to mention beautiful. Otherwise, look into commuting between Paris and the port of Le Havre.

Good to Know?

Beware of "whirlwind syndrome." With just one day in Paris, strategize, and select two or three (at most) sightseeing destinations. Don't forget to allow time for a leisurely lunch. Also beware of pickpocketing and bag-snatching.

As well, if you opt for visiting places in Normandy, note that they're fairly spread out and also involve some commuting time. Your best bet is to rent a car (and possibly a tour guide/driver), and plan your itinerary carefully.

Getting Around?

From the ship's dock to the city of Le Havre, it's about a 20-minute walk. (Often, passengers aren't permitted to stroll through the port facility.) Shuttles are typically provided to transport passengers from ship to center of town; some cruise lines levy a surcharge for the service.

Taxis line up at the pier, and you'll find a list of fares in the cruise terminal. It costs 8 EUR to get into town. A 1.5-hour taxi tour of Le Havre costs about 60 EUR for up to four people.

Rental cars are available from Sixt (02 78 63 00 18), Europcar (02 35 25 21 95), Radio Taxi (02 35 25 81 81) and Hertz (02 35 19 01 19).

Getting To Paris: Le Havre's train station is about a mile from the port. In most cases, passengers will take the shuttle from the ship to the center of Le Havre and then a taxi to the station (or take a taxi directly from the port to the station). Trains run to Gare St-Lazare (Paris) roughly every hour, more often before 8 a.m. It's more than a two-hour train ride home, so leave plenty of time to return to the pier.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The official currency is the euro. There are plenty of ATMs and exchange bureaus in town. (Bureau de change at 41 Chaussee Kennedy, 76 600 Le Havre; 02 35 41 29 13)

Language?

French. You might hear some English but don't count on it.

Where You're Docked?

Le Havre may often be billed by cruise lines as the port for Paris, but please note: The commute between port and Paris is a solid 2.5 hours each way. Just be prepared. Le Havre Cruise Terminal is at Florida Tip, and ships dock at Roger Meunier or Pierre Callet piers. The town center is 1.5 miles away.


Le Havre Cruise Reviews
While Le Havre is just a big industrial harbor for your boat, it is from here that you would set out to see the Normandie D-Day beaches. They tailor their stops for Canadian, US, and British tourist as each beach wasRead More
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ncgirl2017
Our stay in Le Havre included three tours. The tour of Honfleur was interesting but we were there about an hour longer than was needed. After touring, we were given about 90 minutes to walk around on our own and shRead More
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DougWC
Le Havre is strictly a gateway city where French is predominantly spoken. I went to Honfleur which is charming and beautiful.Read More
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blair003
Le Havre proved a hidden delight. The walk into town from the ship was about 20 minutes - there was a shuttle bus available. In the town were several restaurants and bars, shops. The town had been extensively bombed Read More
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LondonSW8

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