Le Havre-Honfleur?

[Mooneydiva]

We're on the 9/13 Century cruise that stops in Le Havre. Since we were in Paris a few years ago, we prefer to do see Honfleur (and possibly LeHavre). Is there anything in LeHavre?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for hiring a guide? I've tried a few, but theya re all booked for Paris tours that day.

 

Are taxis available at the port? REPUTABLE tours?

 

We thought about renting a car, but we're not sure about doing that. I know that Budget is closed the day we're in port.

 

Any thoughts, suggestions are appreciated.

 

Chris

[dbh62ark]

We rented a taxi with some fellow cruisers to go to Honfleur, Deauville, and Treauville (sp?) from LeHavre in a port day (have also spent time in Paris on other trips). It was a lovely, lovely day, and the price was reasonable. I realize there are no guarantees that this would work out for you but wanted to let you know that it did for us.

 

Have a great trip,

Donna

[Hlitner]

We prefer to rent a car since its a lot cheaper (less than $100) and it gives us a lot of flexibility. Budget is normally our first choice (sorry they are closed) but there are plenty of other rental car dealers in town. Last May we were there on a stop during the transatlantic cruise of the Jewel of the Seas and drove to Honfleur for coffee, than to Deuville and Trouville for a walk and to check-out the flea market (it was market day), than back to Honfleur for lunch on the water (great moules). Than, since it was still pretty early in the afternoon we drove all the way up to Etretat..over to Fecamp (walked around in both towns) and got the car back to Budget by 6 (we were in port until 10 pm). That rental cost us about $85 which was a heck of a deal for a full days tour (for two).

 

Hank

[zeitgeist]

Congratulations, Hank!

 

You did exactly what we do in every European port which is not walkable.

 

You have seen many attractions of the area. Here some more ideas:

 

- Le Havre is an industrial city. Skip it.

- Honfleur is a nice, picturesque old town. Best place for a stroll in the evening and dinner.

- Bayeux has the fantastic carpet which tells, comic-strip-like, the story of 1066.

- Deauville and Trouville are sea resorts with broad beaches and grand hotels.

- Etretat is a nice beach town with impressive chalk cliffs. Fecamp is similar, but Etretat is a little more spectacular.

- Rouen is a beautiful mediaval town. On the way to Rouen, you may drive through the beautiful Seine Valley.

- Jumieges is an ancient abbey on the way to Rouen. Very impressive ruins.

[MAKEM]

We're on the 9/13 Century cruise that stops in Le Havre. Since we were in Paris a few years ago, we prefer to do see Honfleur (and possibly LeHavre). Is there anything in LeHavre?

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for hiring a guide? I've tried a few, but theya re all booked for Paris tours that day.

 

Are taxis available at the port? REPUTABLE tours?

 

We thought about renting a car, but we're not sure about doing that. I know that Budget is closed the day we're in port.

 

Any thoughts, suggestions are appreciated.

 

Chris

 

Hi , if you want to do Honfluer on your own,from central bus station no 20/50 bus.

 

from the ship head across the P &O Ferry terminal towards the rail station

[Hlitner]

Congratulations, Hank!

 

You did exactly what we do in every European port which is not walkable.

 

You have seen many attractions of the area. Here some more ideas:

 

- Le Havre is an industrial city. Skip it.

- Honfleur is a nice, picturesque old town. Best place for a stroll in the evening and dinner.

- Bayeux has the fantastic carpet which tells, comic-strip-like, the story of 1066.

- Deauville and Trouville are sea resorts with broad beaches and grand hotels.

- Etretat is a nice beach town with impressive chalk cliffs. Fecamp is similar, but Etretat is a little more spectacular.

- Rouen is a beautiful mediaval town. On the way to Rouen, you may drive through the beautiful Seine Valley.

- Jumieges is an ancient abbey on the way to Rouen. Very impressive ruins.

 

Thanks for the kind words. We have been to France many times and do like this Northern coast. You did forget to mention Normandy (a very important place for many Americans) which is well within driving range for a full port day. For those that go to Normandy, there is a wonderful museum in Caen (not far off the main road from Normandy to LeHavre) called the Caen Memorial or the Museum of Peace. This place is simply amazing for those interested in WWII and the years that led up to that war.

 

Hank

[Hot2Travel]

Just returned from a UK cruise. Shared a taxi with another couple for a nice 3 hours visit to picturesque Honfleur. Price for the taxi was 60 Euros/couple and a bit less if you have 3 couples. The taxi remains in Honfleur waiting for you for 3 hrs.:)

 

Taxies are just as you walk off the ships gang-way. Spoke to another couple who caught the local bus to and from Honfleur without a problem. Did not get the price however. Keep your receipts for any shore purchases and get a refund on the VAT on your return in the UK airport. It amounts to about 20%:) of your purchases.

[drkq]

Last August, we took a cruise that stopped at La Havre. Not much to see in La Havre. The area was destroyed during the war. We did not want to take the long bus ride to Paris. So, we took the cruise excursion to Rouen. It was a charming French city. Highlights included gothic church painted by Monet, parts of the church were destroyed during the war (interesting artifacts from the bombings), market square, clock, site where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake.

[Mooneydiva]

Thank you, everyone, for your great ideas! We really do not want to take the ship's excursions to either the beaches or Paris. All of your ideas sound wonderful.

Chris