Shore Excursions from Le Havre Cruise Port

Gateway to Normandy's most iconic destinations—Étretat's spectacular cliffs, Impressionist Honfleur, medieval Rouen, and D-Day history

Le Havre: Your Gateway to Normandy's Highlights

Le Havre cruise port offers exceptional access to Normandy's most diverse attractions, from dramatic coastal scenery to medieval heritage to WWII history. As France's second-largest container port, Le Havre welcomes major cruise lines and positions you perfectly for unforgettable shore excursions.

Why Le Havre is Perfect for Shore Excursions:

Closest Port to Étretat Cliffs (30 minutes)

Le Havre offers the quickest access to Étretat's world-famous white chalk cliffs and natural arches—just 30 minutes away. No other major cruise port gets you this close to one of Europe's most photographed coastal landscapes. Perfect for half-day excursions with maximum sightseeing time.

Impressionist Art Trail

Located in the heart of Impressionism's birthplace, Le Havre itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for post-war architecture. Nearby Honfleur (20 min) and Rouen (1 hour) showcase settings immortalized by Monet, Boudin, and other masters. Walk where artists painted their greatest works.

Medieval Normandy Access

Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, lies just one hour away. Explore Joan of Arc's final city, marvel at the magnificent Gothic cathedral, and wander through exceptionally preserved medieval streets—all within easy reach of your ship.

D-Day Beaches Connection

While farther than from Cherbourg, Le Havre still offers excellent full-day access to Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, and Pointe du Hoc (90 minutes). Experience the profound history of June 6, 1944 with ample time for meaningful exploration.

Private Shore Excursions - The Bellidays Difference

  • Guaranteed Ship Return: We monitor your vessel's schedule and guarantee punctual return to Le Havre terminal well before departure
  • Expert Local Guide: Licensed driver-guide with 17+ years Normandy experience, fluent in multiple languages
  • Completely Private: Just your group, no strangers—customize pace, stops, and interests
  • Premium Transportation: Comfortable Mercedes vehicles with WiFi, climate control, bottled water
  • Flexible Timing: We adapt to your ship's arrival/departure schedule and your preferences
  • Cruise Terminal Pickup: Meet directly at Le Havre cruise terminal as you disembark

Shore Excursion Planning

Half-day excursions (4-6 hours): Ideal for Étretat, Honfleur, or Rouen—maximize your port time without feeling rushed

Full-day excursions (9-10 hours): Perfect for D-Day beaches or combined experiences (e.g., Étretat + Honfleur)

Custom combinations: Mix destinations based on your interests and ship schedule—we create flexible itineraries

Our Le Havre Shore Excursions

Carefully designed private tours for cruise passengers—from dramatic cliffs to D-Day history

Scenic Wonder
Étretat Cliffs & Alabaster Coast
  • Half Day / 4-5 hours
  • Private Tour (1-8 people)
  • Étretat & Normandy Coast

Étretat Cliffs & Alabaster Coast

(68 reviews)

Closest natural wonder to Le Havre! Marvel at Étretat's dramatic white chalk cliffs, natural arches (Porte d'Aval, L'Aiguille), and stunning coastal views. Just 30 minutes from port—perfect half-day excursion.

Contact Us
Most Popular
Honfleur & Normandy Countryside
  • Half Day / 5-6 hours
  • Private Tour (1-8 people)
  • Honfleur & Pays d'Auge

Honfleur & Normandy Countryside

(52 reviews)

Charming Impressionist harbor town with colorful Vieux Bassin, Sainte-Catherine wooden church, art galleries. Optional Calvados distillery and Normandy cheese tasting in picturesque countryside villages.

Contact Us
Cultural Heritage
Rouen Medieval City & Gothic Cathedral
  • Half Day / 5-6 hours
  • Private Tour (1-8 people)
  • Rouen Historic Center

Rouen Medieval City & Gothic Cathedral

(61 reviews)

Joan of Arc's historic city featuring magnificent Gothic cathedral (immortalized by Monet), medieval old quarter with half-timbered houses, Gros Horloge astronomical clock, and charming pedestrian streets.

Contact Us
Best Value
D-Day Beaches & American Cemetery
  • Full Day / 9-10 hours
  • Private Tour (1-8 people)
  • Omaha Beach & Pointe du Hoc

D-Day Beaches & American Cemetery

(56 reviews)

Moving WWII history journey to Omaha Beach, American Cemetery with 9,387 graves, Pointe du Hoc Rangers cliffs. Walk where Allied forces liberated Europe on June 6, 1944. Complete with expert historical commentary.

Learn More

GALLERY - NORMANDY FROM LE HAVRE

Honfleur port near Le Havre
Etretat dramatic cliffs
Falaises d'Amont Etretat
Sainte-Catherine Church Honfleur
Norman gastronomic specialties
Etretat beach and arches
Old port of Honfleur
Scenic Normandy countryside
Honfleur charming streets
Rouen Cathedral

Practical Information for Cruise Passengers

Le Havre Cruise Terminal

Location: Quai Roger Meunier, 76600 Le Havre
Distance to City Center: 3km (5 minutes)
Terminal Facilities: Tourist information, currency exchange, WiFi, taxi rank

Meeting Your Guide

Your private driver-guide will meet you directly at the cruise terminal exit holding a personalized sign with your name. We coordinate with the port and monitor ship arrival times to ensure seamless pickup. No searching, no waiting—your Normandy adventure begins immediately.

Typical Ship Schedules

Most cruise ships docking at Le Havre arrive around 7:00-8:00 AM and depart between 5:00-7:00 PM, providing 9-11 hours for shore excursions. We customize tour timing based on your specific vessel schedule and ensure return with comfortable margin before departure.

What to Bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes (especially for Étretat cliffs and medieval streets)
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended—coastal weather changes quickly)
  • Camera with fully charged battery—you'll capture stunning photos
  • Euros for optional purchases, souvenirs, meals not included
  • Cruise card and photo ID for re-boarding verification

Booking Your Shore Excursion

Advance Reservation Recommended: Book at least 48-72 hours before your port call to guarantee availability, especially during peak season (May-September).

Flexible Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 48 hours before your excursion. If your cruise line cancels or changes the Le Havre port call, full refund provided regardless of timing.

Contact Information: After booking, receive your guide's mobile number for direct communication on excursion day.

Frequently Asked Questions

We monitor your ship's real-time position and adjust pickup time accordingly. Your guide will wait at the terminal regardless of delays. We'll modify the itinerary if needed to ensure you see the highlights while guaranteeing timely return to your vessel.

Absolutely! Popular combinations include Étretat + Honfleur (both close to Le Havre), or Rouen + Normandy countryside. We'll design a realistic itinerary based on your ship schedule and interests. Contact us with your preferences and we'll create the perfect custom shore excursion.

Yes, it's very doable! Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery are about 90 minutes from Le Havre (vs. 60 minutes from Cherbourg). With a full-day excursion (9-10 hours), you'll have ample time to visit the main sites, including Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach, with expert historical commentary and guaranteed ship return.

For shorter port calls (6-7 hours total), choose Étretat (30 min from port) or Honfleur (20 min from port). Both offer spectacular experiences close to Le Havre, maximizing sightseeing time while ensuring stress-free ship return. Half-day tours run 4-5 hours including travel time.

Meals are not included in the base tour price, giving you flexibility to choose based on budget and preferences. For full-day tours, we include a lunch stop at a carefully selected local restaurant (you pay for your meal). Half-day tours typically don't include meal stops but we can add one if desired.

Our licensed driver-guides are fluent in English and French, with many also speaking Spanish, Italian, or Portuguese. Let us know your language preference when booking, and we'll match you with the appropriate guide. All guides have deep knowledge of Normandy's history, culture, and attractions.

Request a Shore Excursion

Custom private tours designed for your cruise schedule and interests

Prefer to call? +33 1 23 45 67 89

bonjour@bellidays.com

Why Choose Bellidays

  • Ship Return Guarantee Never miss departure
  • Licensed Expert Guides 17+ years experience
  • Private Tours Only No group buses
  • Excellent Reviews 4.9/5 average rating
  • Fully Insured Complete peace of mind

Travel Times from Le Havre

  • Étretat Cliffs: 30 minutes
  • Honfleur: 20 minutes
  • Rouen: 1 hour
  • Omaha Beach: 90 minutes
  • Normandy Villages: 45-60 minutes

All times approximate. We coordinate with your ship schedule to maximize sightseeing time.