Paris 2017

[honeybeesmom]

Hello, has anyone done a private excursion in Le Havre ? We are very interested in booking the British Isles cruise and were wondering about shore excursions? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much

 

[Marc D]

Honestly, I would not do a private Paris excursion for the simple fact that there's A LOT of road to cover and I wouldn't chance being back late to the ship. On a DCL excursion, they'll wait for you. We will probably do Etretat or Fecamp in July. We've done the Normandy beaches on our own before and will not do them again because our son is too young to understand WWII but it is truly an emotional visit not to be missed.

 

[honeybeesmom]

Thanks very much for your reply. I was wondering how bad the traffic might be,we will look at the Disney excursions

 

[Marc D]

Thanks very much for your reply. I was wondering how bad the traffic might be,we will look at the Disney excursions

Having lived in France for many years, and having travelled there many times before and since, I would NEVER trust french traffic or trains if I have a deadline. Between the unsynchronized roadwork, holiday traffic jams - in July, half the population is off work for the entire month, the other half in August, and Normandy where we'll dock is known holiday spot - and unannounced "social movements", being late is not just a probability.

If you are set on going to Paris, go the DCL route. But it deserves much more attention than that day will allow. Like London, it takes at least a week, if not two, to truly get that city.

 

[honeybeesmom]

Really appreciate all of your feedback! I have read how busy it can be and we certainly do not want to miss the ship.
How close is Normandy to the port? Our 17 year old daughter wants to see the Eiffel Tower which seems to be a good couple of hours to get there. So many decisions but I'm glad that the ship is in port until late in the evening.
Thanks again

 

[aggiedog]

There has got to be some amazing things to see and do in northern France that doesn't involve 5 hours of round trip transport (or more.) If your heart is set on Paris, can you plan a few days before or after and see it then?

 

[Marc D]

How close is Normandy to the port? Our 17 year old daughter wants to see the Eiffel Tower which seems to be a good couple of hours to get there.

Normandy is a region, of which Le Havre is a part of. If you are thinking of the WWII beaches and memorials, the farthest, which would be Omaha Beach, about 1.5 hours away. There is also the American memorial, the german bunkers, the water bridge at Arromanches, etc. There's a DCL tour that covers it.

For us, the most spectacular thing to see in the excursions offered by DCL is Mont St-Michel. It is a Unesco World Heritage site and should be on everyone's bucket list. Check out pictures and descriptions on Google to see what it is.

 

[honeybeesmom]

Thank you both for your feedback! Mont St-Michel looks amazing and very interesting. I need to do a lot more research
on these port adventures. Your time much appreciated!

 

[Marc D]

I was talking with my wife about this thread, since we will be on the BI 2017 sailing, and she made me realize that Mont-St-Michel is as far as Paris from Le Havre. If you go there, take a DCL tour...