Aerial View of Le Havre Port, France. Ships dock at either Roger Meunier pier or Pierre Callet pier, both which have large cruise terminals. It is a short shuttle bus ride away to the modern city center designed by the famous architect Perret.

Musée Malraux (Malraux museum)

Save yourself the arduous trip to Paris’s Musee D'Orsay by visiting Le Havre’s Musée Malraux, which houses an excellent collection of Impressionist paintings. Artists represented include Le Havre’s own Eugène Boudin and Raoul Dufy, plus works by Monet, Pissarro, Degas, Renoir and more. The museum is located at the city’s southernmost tip, about a half a mile from the center.

Jardins Suspendus (Hanging Gardens)

Set in the old Fort de Sainte-Adresse, the Jardins Suspendus will delight keen gardeners. The gardens feature a series of greenhouses, home to a wide variety of exotic plants. A bonus to your visit is the beautiful views from the old fortress walls, which offer a wide panorama across the Baie de Seine. The gardens are situated about half-a-mile north of the city center.

Plage du Havre (Le Havre beach)

A great place to while away a sunny day is Plage du Havre, a long wide stretch of sand and pebbles which fronts the west side of the city. The Bains Maritimes beach center, which is positioned at the center of the beach (open April through September) has restrooms, showers, and lockers. A wide promenade runs behind the beach, perfect for a gentle stroll while taking in the sea air. The beach is within walking distance of the city center.

Rouen

The historic city of Rouen is about an hour away on the train from Le Havre. Highlights include the spectacular Notre Dame cathedral, the subject of some fantastic paintings by Monet, the Tour Jeanne d’Arc, where Joan of Arc was imprisoned before being burned at the stake, Aitre St-Maclou, a charnel house where thousands of plague victims were buried and the Gros-Horloge, an impressive clock dating back to the 14th century. Le Havre train station is a short shuttle bus ride away from the port.

Paris

Trains run from Le Havre railway station about every hour to Paris, terminating at Gare St Lazare. However be warned that the journey time from Le Havre to Paris even for the faster services is 2hrs 10mins. There are of course a myriad of fantastic sightseeing opportunities in Paris from which to choose. The Ile De La Cite area is very suitable for a short visit, as it includes favorites like Notre Dame, the Conciergerie, Sainte Chapelle and just across the river the Louvre. (But many will head straight for the Eiffel tower!)