Your cruise disembarks in the port of Le Havre, and you’re not sure which tour to choose for the day.
Here’s a little more information on the best shore excursions from Le Havre to help you choose: what you can see, interests and difficulties…
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Visiting Le Havre or taking an excursion?
The choice between a day in Le Havre and a shore excursion depends on your interests:
On one side, Le Havre: Unesco-listed modern architecture, art collections, waterfront. It’s very easy to explore but not typical of what you imagine France to be.
On the other, excursions to well-known places like Honfleur, Étretat and the D-Day beaches. But you’ll have to spend some time in transit.
If you opt for excursions, here’s a map to help you find your way:
For all our tips on visiting Le Havre from the cruise port, go to this dedicated article.
If you prefer to explore on your own, remember to book your rental car (there are few options). See all our tips for renting a car in Le Havre.
1. Honfleur
Why visit?
Honfleur is one of the most emblematic places of Normandy. Its historic center is fascinating, with half-timbered houses, tall narrow buildings around the harbor, a unique church… The region has inspired and continues to inspire many artists!
Main attractions
- The old port and its high-rise houses
- Saint Catherine’s wooden church
- Narrow streets with half-timbered houses
- The Eugène Boudin Museum with many of his works
- The many art galleries
Read more about our article on Honfleur
Where is Honfleur in relation to Le Havre?
- West of Le Havre
- Across the Seine
- 45-minute drive via expressway and the Pont de Normandie bridge
- Most cruises offer excursions to Honfleur, sometimes combined with Deauville, a 30-minute drive from Honfleur.
How to get there?
- Rent a car for the day
- group tours, for example on Getyourguide – see program and availability
- excursions offered by your cruise
- Bee Le Havre also offers excursions with their bus.
- Public transport:
Go to Le Havre station. Buses run between Le Havre and Honfleur (via the Pont de Normandie). This is line 122.
But be sure to leave enough time to get back. The bus does not drop you off at the cruise port. - Private shuttle: see details and availability
Other tips
- Do not wear heels as there are many old cobblestones.
- See our selection of the best restaurants for your lunch break
2. Rouen
Why visit?
Rouen is a city steeped in history and culture, full of charm and colorful half-timbered houses. It starts with the famous Notre-Dame de Rouen Cathedral, an architectural marvel that inspired Claude Monet’s paintings.
In addition, Joan of Arc was burned alive on the Place du Vieux-Marché in Rouen. She was only 19 at the time of her execution. The young heroine is an integral part of the city.
Main attractions
- The Big Clock
- The cathedral
- Museum of Fine Arts
- The historic center with its half-timbered houses
- Places connected with Joan of Arc
- …
Find out more in our Rouen article.
Where Rouen stands in relation to Le Havre
- South-east of Le Havre
- 1 hour by freeway from Le Havre
How to get there?
- Rent a car: 1h drive
- Take the train from Le Havre station – once in Rouen, it’s a 20-minute walk from the station to the cathedral.
- Excursion proposed by your cruise
- Private transfer from the port – see details
- There are also private tours covering Honfleur, Deauville and Rouen. You will only be able to see a few places in each town, but this will give you a better idea of Normandy – see details and availability.
Other tips
- Wear comfortable shoes, you need to walk a lot
- Slightly sloping town
- See our selection of the best restaurants for your lunch break
3. Étretat
Why visit?
Do you prefer nature?
One of our favorite places to visit in Normandy is Etretat, known for its impressive white cliffs and needle-shaped rock formation.
And as French people, we grew up with the stories of the fictional character Arsène Lupin, who hid his treasure inside.
The heart of the town has charming old houses typical of the area and from the beach you can climb the cliffs on both sides for incredible views.
Main attractions
- Admire the view from the waterfront
- Explore the village
- Climb to the top of the cliff (north) to visit the gardens and admire the views.
- Climb the cliff below (south) for another view of the arch and needle
Find out more in our article on Étretat.
Where is Étretat in relation to Le Havre?
- North of Le Havre
- 45-minute drive from Le Havre
- Along the Côte d’Albâtre
How to get there?
- Rent a car for the day
- You can take the 509R bus, which runs every hour or hour and a half. It takes 1 hour each way. Please allow plenty of time to return to the boat. He leaves and returns to the bus station.
- Book a private shuttle: see details and availability
- Or combine a private tour with Honfleur and Etretat, the two jewels of Normandy near Le Havre – see details and availability
Other tips
- The climb up the cliffs is steep, with steps and dirt paths, so wear good shoes.
- The village, on the other hand, is easy to explore.
- See our selection of the best restaurants for your lunch break
4. Normandy landing beaches
Why visit?
Those interested in the history of the war can take part in a shore excursion from Le Havre to visit the D-Day landing beaches and some of the monuments of the Second World War.
However, you should be aware that you’ll be spending a lot of time in transit.
Omaha Beach is almost a two-hour drive from Le Havre, so you’ll need to allow at least 4 hours for transport during the day.
Main attractions
- Omaha Beach: sculpture, beach, American cemetery, numerous museums
- Juno Beach: museum of Canadian military and Canadian life, bunkers, beach
- Gold Beach with its fascinating artificial harbours
- Sword Beach, with the Pegasus bridge and bunker command center
- Utah Beach is 25 minutes further than Omaha Beach.
Find out more about the attractions of the D-Day landing beaches.
Where are the D-Day landing beaches in relation to Le Havre?
- Although troops landed in different parts of Normandy, the 5 famous landing beaches are to the west of Le Havre.
- The nearest is 1h30 away (Sword Beach) and the farthest 2h15 away (Utah Beach).
How to get there?
- Rent a car
- Book a cruise excursion
- American-friendly tours include Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, the Overlord Museum and the American Cemetery.
See program and book - Canadian-friendly tours include Juno Beach, the Canadian Cemetery and Abbaye d’Ardenne.
See program and book
Other tips
- It’s a long day, but also an emotional one. Prepare to be tired at the end of the day
5. Giverny
Why visit?
Giverny is definitely a place worth visiting. Nicknamed the “Village of Painters”, the commune is above all famous for having been the home of Claude Monet, the French painter and founder of Impressionism, for over 4 decades. And this village has existed since the 5th century. In the Middle Ages, Giverny was home to several monasteries and even a leprosarium, a hospital where leprosy was treated.
Main attractions
- Claude Monet’s house and gardens
- Musée des Impressionnismes
- Village lanes
- Church and tombs
Find out more in our article on Giverny.
Where is Giverny in relation to Le Havre?
- South-east of Le Havre, closer to Paris
- 1h45 drive
How to get there?
- Rent a car
- Tour proposed by your cruise operator
- Private guided tour: see program and availability
- There are also private tours covering Giverny, Rouen and Honfleur. You will only be able to see a few places in each town, but this will give you a better idea of Normandy – See program and availability
Other tips
- Very easy to visit village
- Not very big
- See restaurants for your lunch break
6. Paris
Why visit?
Because it’s Paris, iconic with its Eiffel Tower…
However, Paris is a two-hour drive from Le Havre, if there are no traffic jams. So 2h30 to 3h often.
Personally, we don’t recommend a trip to Paris for the few hours you have in Le Havre. You’ll spend several hours on the road, but only 4 hours discovering this immense city…
But this is Paris, and if you don’t think you’ll ever get the chance to come back to France, we understand!
Main attractions
With a little time, you’ll see:
- the Eiffel Tower,
- buildings along the Seine with a boat tour, including the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral
Where is Paris in relation to Le Havre?
- South-east of Le Havre
- 2h15 to 3h on the freeway, depending on traffic jams, to enter the city
How to get there?
- We do not recommend that you organize the trip yourself. Too many things can get complicated and prevent you from getting back to port on time.
- Take one of the excursions offered by the cruise operator
- Book the shuttle bus, which leaves you on site for 4 hours – see availability and make a reservation
- Book a private tour to see even more – see availability and make a reservation
7. Mont-Saint-Michel: a little far away…
Why visit?
Mont-Saint-Michel is a 2h30 drive from Le Havre, if there are no traffic jams.
Personally, we don’t recommend an excursion to Mont-Saint-Michel for the few hours you have in Le Havre. You’ll spend several hours on the road, for only 3 hours this place…
But it’s Mont-Saint-Michel, France’s most famous landmark after the Eiffel Tower. A place that delights young and old alike (with a touch of Harry Potter…). So we understand!
Main attractions
- Approaching the island
- Village lanes with historic houses
- the ramparts overlooking the bay
- The abbey (beware of difficult stairs)
Find out more in our article on the attractions of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Where is Paris in relation to Le Havre?
- South-west of Le Havre
- At least 2h30 on the freeway
How to get there?
Other places to see by car
If you rent a car, you may also have other interests that can be satisfied during the day:
- Abbeys along the Seine, including Jumièges
- Fécamp and its Benedictine palace, for lovers of this spirit
- The town of Pont-l’Évêque, with its charm, fromate and Calvados distillery
- Pays d’Auge villages with half-timbered houses like Beuvron-en-Auge or Le-Bec-Hellouin.
