Best Le Havre Cruise Stop Excursions to Paris

How would you like to visit Paris on a cruise stop excursion from Le Havre?

As the bus round trip Le Havre – Paris takes about 6 hours, you won’t have too much time available for the actual visit. Nevertheless, you’d still be able to pass by some of the most known landmarks in Paris, take lots of photos, and even enjoy a nice meal in a Parisian brasserie.

How Far Le Havre Is from Paris?

Le Havre is located in Normandy, on France’s northern coast. It is the main port of call for cruise passengers wanting to visit Paris.

Even though many cruise lines consider Le Havre as the “Gateway to Paris,” the distance between the two cities is about 200 kilometers (125 miles), which requires 2-3 hours each way by bus or train.

This makes it a bit too far to organize a proper sightseeing. This is also why it could be better to join an organized cruise stop excursion rather than trying to plan this visit on your own.

Are Organized Shore Excursions Better than Self-Guided Trips?

While this distance can be a real challenge for cruise passengers hoping to experience Paris, organized shore excursions efficiently handle transportation logistics, allowing travelers to make the most out of their time.

If you’re an experienced traveler, knowing how to catch a train, how to buy tickets and book experiences online, you’ll probably be fine doing your own thing. Speaking some French would also help you move faster.

On the other hand, booking a cruise stop excursion to Paris would allow you to relax and enjoy it to the full, without any worries other than taking photos of all of those amazing landmarks.

Best Paris Shore Excursions from Le Havre

Here’s a list of the best Paris shore excursions from Le Havre.

As soon as you set your cruise dates, make sure you do book your shore excursions, as well.

Should you book your Paris cruise stop trip from my website, I’ll get a small compensation from the operator, at no cost to you.

Top Choice: Private Tour of Paris in a Convertible Citroën 2CV -> click here to pick your date

What can be better than driving through Paris? Having someone drive you in a vintage convertible, thew iconic Citroen 2CV.

The driver will take you from a location you agree upon beforehand, and will show you the best of Paris. this is a better option than the hop-on hop-off bus, as it allows you to customize your tour ad to get insider tips directly from a local.

You’ll visit Montmartre, Le Marais and many other iconic quartiers and tourist objectives in Paris.

Click here to see more details and to book your tour on your date of choice.

Second Best: Deluxe Paris Shore Excursion with Seine Cruise -> click here for details

A Seine cruise is the best way to experience Paris when you only have a few hours on your hands.

This excursion includes the following:

• Pick up and drop off at the port
• In Paris: professional licensed local tour guide
• Modern, air-conditioned shared bus transportation
• 1-hour river cruise on the Seine passing by Notre Dame, Eiffel, Louvre (water levels permitting)
• Complimentary typical French pastries baked by the organizers’ team
• Toast with French sparkling wine at the end of the tour
• Guaranteed return to ship on time
• Full refund if your cruise ship cannot dock
• Free time for a snack or souvenir shopping at Champs Elysees (subject to ship docking times&traffic)

Check out your desired date and book your excursion here.

A boat trip on the river is the most efficient way to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris, and many other monuments and landmarks.

Second-best Ex-aequo: Le Havre to Paris: Eiffel, Champs-Elysees, River Cruise & Extras -> click here for details

This is another shore excursion that takes you on a river cruise.

Here’s what’s included:

• Guaranteed return to ship on time
• Full refund if your ship cannot dock
• Restroom stops during transfers and the tour
• Modern, air-conditioned shared bus transportation
• Pick up and drop off at cruise ship port of Le Havre
• For shared tours: English-speaking tour guide *please note the guide only joins the bus in Paris
• 1-hour scenic Seine River Cruise with audio commentary on board
• Free time for a snack or souvenir shopping (duration is subject to traffic and ship docking times)
• 24/7 Customer support, assistance with other arrangements and tours
• English speaking hosts welcoming our passengers at the port
• Complimentary typical French pastries baked by our team with love
• Toast with French sparkling wine at the end of the tour

Check out the latest price and the available dates here.

On Your Own: Paris from Le Havre Shared Round-trip Transfer -> click here for details

This is a “Paris on your own” trip. You get the return air-conditioned bus transfer Le Havre – Arc de Triomphe Paris, and 4-5 hours to do whatever you wish in the city.

You can choose to board one of the river cruises, to visit a couple of museums, to enjoy a meal at one of the many brasseries, or simply to walk along the beautiful streets to take photos.

Your driver will wait for you at Arc de Triomphe to take you back to Le Havre.

Click here to check out the details and to book your date.

Best for Photo Memories: Paris One-Hour Private Photo Shoot -> Click here for details

Why not take advantage of your cruise and get a professional photo shoot in Paris?

Here’s what you get:

• 30 professionally edited, high-quality photos sent by email via WeTransfer
• On average +150 unedited images from your photo shoot, delivered via email through WeTransfer
• 1-hour stroll and unforgettable photo poses around your chosen iconic location
• Tips for an enjoyable photo session and varied poses
• Warm-hearted professional photographer

Not included but available upon request: Decoration for wedding proposal: LED ‘Marry Me’ letters, red carpet, sparklers, roses, LED candles, Champagne bottle

Click here to see more details and to book your photo shoot.

How To Spend Half-day in Paris on Your Own

Start your day at the Eiffel Tower, not to climb it, but to take the best photos of it.

Read my article about the best Eiffel Tower free photo spots to plan your itinerary.

If you like stained glass, visit Sainte-Chapelle to admire some fabulous windows. Even better, get a combo-ticket for La Conciergerie and Sainte-Chapelle to spend the rest of your day in Paris in style.

Click here to see more details and to book your guided tour of Conciergerie and Sainte Chapelle. Just be careful when you pick your time, not to miss the return to your cruise ship.

If you don’t want to spend time inside, skip the Conciergerie and head over to Montmartre.

Montmartre is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Paris. You can easily spend 1-2 hours walking along cobblestone streets, enjoying the Paris panorama from Butte de Montmartre, or visiting the Sacre-Coeur basilica.

Canal Saint-Martin is another beautiful place in Paris. This waterway boasts lots of boutiques and cafés. It is one of the favorite places to go of many young Parisians.

Last but not least, Les Passages Couverts, the ancient shopping galleries of the city are surely worth a stroll. Here’s my itinerary of the covered passageways you can follow exactly.

Taking a cruise stop excursion from Le Havre to Paris is a great way to take a glimpse into the wonderful architecture, history and culture of this wondrous city.