What should I do in Le Havre?

[tink1970]

Does anyone have experiences with the DCL (or non DCL) port adventures there? I know my DH is going to the DDay landing beaches and DM is determined to go to Paris. I honestly don't want to spend that long on a bus (to get to Paris), especially since I've been before and would like to go again when it's not so rushed. Any opinions?

 

[85glht]

On a different cruise line, we did the bus trip to Paris.....Even though my wife and I went there before. We just did a quick BIG walking/metro tour of the area. Went to Laduree on the Champs Elisees ( a bakery) Arc de Triumph, Eiffel Tower, Norte Dame and ended at The Louvre.
I know you said you did not want to do a bus ride but this is what we did....

Do they offer a tour to Mont St. Michelle?

 

[morgan98]

I love Monet's gardens at Giverny. That is not too far (maybe an hour an a half or so) from LeHavre. I also agree with Mont St. Michelle being a good trip.

I was moved by the Normandy beaches more than I expected to be. That was a fabulous experience and I also like the town of Bayeux.

Note: I have never done these from a cruise ship, but have done numerous land trips throughout France.

 

[tink1970]

Thanks, all!
I had been toying with the idea of Giverny, but they also do offer a tour to Mont St Michelle. I'd probably really enjoy the DDay Beaches except having to deal with my father outweighs that...since I'd like to do something a bit different both Monet's gardens and Mont St Michelle are now high on the list.

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Marc D]

Know the the Mont St-Michel tour will involve as much time on a bus than a Paris tour. It is 2.5 hours away from Le Havre. And that visit involves a LOT of climbing up a steep hill and many stairs since the main part of the visit is at the top of the Mont. If I had difficulty walking, I would probably prefer the D-Day beaches over the Mont.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Know the the Mont St-Michel tour will involve as much time on a bus than a Paris tour. It is 2.5 hours away from Le Havre. And that visit involves a LOT of climbing up a steep hill and many stairs since the main part of the visit is at the top of the Mont. If I had difficulty walking, I would probably prefer the D-Day beaches over the Mont.

Thanks for the heads up. I would love to see Mont St Michel but DH has mobility problems. Is there any way to accommodate him? He's not confined to a wheel chair, but a lot of stairs would wipe him out for the rest of the cruise. He did fine on our tour of the beaches of Normandy. I'm not into history but that tour was fascinating.

 

[Marc D]

Thanks for the heads up. I would love to see Mont St Michel but DH has mobility problems. Is there any way to accommodate him? He's not confined to a wheel chair, but a lot of stairs would wipe him out for the rest of the cruise. He did fine on our tour of the beaches of Normandy. I'm not into history but that tour was fascinating.

Not at all. It was built in the Middle Ages and you pretty much get the same experience as people back then. There's a first ascension up the hill in a tight crowded street that takes about 20 min. After that, you hit a very steep set of stairs that gets you to the ticket counter inside the main abbey. You then begin your tour that takes 1-2 hours visiting a place built on multiple levels on the sides of the mount. Except the main church, built on top of the rest of the abbey, pretty much every room involves a set of stairs to reach it. At the end of the tour, you need to go back down the same steep stairs and winding road.

I love the place, having been there 5-6 times, including 3 times up the flèche at the very top, something offered only a few days a year. I even spent one night in one of the hotels on the Mont. I would not recommend it to anyone with mobility issues. He will probably give up before reaching the main part of the visit.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Not at all. It was built in the Middle Ages and you pretty much get the same experience as people back then. There's a first ascension up the hill in a tight crowded street that takes about 20 min. After that, you hit a very steep set of stairs that gets you to the ticket counter inside the main abbey. You then begin your tour that takes 1-2 hours visiting a place built on multiple levels on the sides of the mount. Except the main church, built on top of the rest of the abbey, pretty much every room involves a set of stairs to reach it. At the end of the tour, you need to go back down the same steep stairs and winding road.

I love the place, having been there 5-6 times, including 3 times up the flèche at the very top, something offered only a few days a year. I even spent one night in one of the hotels on the Mont. I would not recommend it to anyone with mobility issues. He will probably give up before reaching the main part of the visit.

Well that's a bummer but it's better to know now instead of making plans then having to cancel them. Thanks for your help.