Le Havre-Paris, France

Located in western France, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Port of Le Havre is the second-largest commercial and the largest container port in France, consisting of several terminals that can fit cruise ships of all sizes. The main cruise terminal where cruise ships dock is located around 2 kilometers away from the city center and the terminal building is equipped with facilities such as an information desk, wi-fi, souvenir shops, restrooms, car/bike rental service. To get to the city center, you can either walk (the walk is not scenic, as you pass through the industrial zone) or you can catch a shuttle bus normally provided by the port authorities or the cruise line.

Le Havre is a very popular cruise port due to its closeness to the important Normandy historical sites and cities, such as Rouen (90 kilometers, or a 1-hour drive by highway), WWII landing beaches (around 150 kilometers, a 2-hour drive), Paris (around 200 kilometers, a 2-hour 30-minute drive), Mont Saint-Michel (223 kilometers, or a 2-hour 30-minute drive), Honfleur and Deauville (25-30 kilometers, a 30-minute drive). These sites can be visited with cruise line shore excursions, but the time spent on the sites is usually limited due to the distance between the places and Le Havre cruise port. 
However, although Le Havre is an industrial port, the city itself is modern and has a lot of attractions and things to offer. Le Havre was heavily bombed during WWII which resulted in the infrastructure being completely damaged, so the whole city needed to be rebuilt from scratch. Today, Le Havre is a modern city that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its avant-garde architecture and state-of-the-art buildings that contributed to the city’s authentic, new look. 

While in Le Havre, you should definitely visit one of the main landmarks of the city: André Malraux Modern Art Museum, featuring an outstanding collection of Impressionist works of art. Nearby you can visit the 16th century Le Havre Cathedral, one of the rare buildings that survived the bombings during World War II.

Another interesting place of interest is Le Volcan, a cultural center situated in the unique white building of an important architectural value. In the surrounding area, there are many restaurants, shops, and cafes, where you can relax and enjoy the views of this fascinating architectural masterpiece. Besides the cultural institutions, the Church of Saint Joseph built in the middle of the 20th century is well worth visiting. Its 107 meters tall tower dominates the city landscape and can easily be recognized from the dock.

Last but not least, if you are into shopping or want to have some fun at the beach, head over to the Docks Vauban shopping mall or to the city beach – Plage du Havre. If you want to read more about the places in Normandy you can visit on a cruise, check out the article 12 Gorgeous Places To Visit In Normandy On A Cruise