LaHavre Cruise Terminal,
LeHavre is the port for Paris and Normandy's D-Day beaches. These beaches were key to WWII's liberation; LeHavre's rebuilt core is a UNESCO-listed site.
Founded in 1517, LeHavre was destroyed in 1944 by Allied bombs and rebuilt by Auguste Perret in concrete modernism.
Normandy D-Day Beaches - History, Culture, and Preservation
-
History: On June 6, 1944, Operation Overlord saw Allied forces land on five Normandy beaches—Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword—to liberate Western Europe from German occupation. Le Havre, though not a primary landing site, was a strategic port bombed by Allies to weaken German defenses, with its harbor later aiding post-D-Day logistics. The D-Day landings involved over 156,000 troops, with significant casualties (e.g., 2,500+ Americans at Omaha Beach alone), marking a turning point in WWII. The region’s medieval past and Viking influence (9th-10th centuries) add depth to its wartime narrative.
-
Culture: Normandy’s D-Day legacy is preserved through memorials, museums, and local traditions. The beaches are sites of solemn remembrance, with annual ceremonies honoring the "Greatest Generation." Communities maintain oral histories, and cuisine (e.g., apple cider, calvados) reflects resilience. Le Havre’s reconstruction embodies a cultural rebirth post-war.
-
Preservation to Honor Soldiers: The Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer (over Omaha Beach) holds nearly 9,400 graves, with white crosses and stars of David meticulously maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Monuments like the Omaha Beach Memorial and Pointe du Hoc’s preserved craters honor the fallen and landed soldiers. Local efforts, including guided tours and the Overlord Museum, ensure historical accuracy, while sites like the Utah Beach Landing Museum use artifacts and bunkers to educate, balancing reverence with accessibility.
-
Normandy, in northwest France, spans rugged coasts, rolling countryside, and historic towns. Its name derives from the "Northmen" (Vikings) who settled in the 9th century, shaping its architecture (e.g., Rouen Cathedral) and language. Beyond D-Day, it’s known for Mont Saint-Michel, the Bayeux Tapestry, and dairy products like Camembert. The region’s WWII role cemented its global significance, blending pastoral charm with profound historical weight.
You will need to book an excursion from this port. You are 120 miles from Paris by bus or train. There are only a couple of things near the port. A pebbly beach Le Havre Beach 15-20 minutes away, walking. St Joseph's Church also about 20 minutes walking.
Popular Things to Do and See and Recommendations
-
Paris: 120 miles, see the Eiffel Tower (1889, 330m tall), a wrought-iron icon with summit views; Notre-Dame (1163 Gothic cathedral, under restoration post-2019 fire), showcasing flying buttresses and stained glass; and the Louvre (Mona Lisa, housed in a former royal palace with 35,000+ artworks across 72,000 sqm).
-
D-Day Beaches: 60-80 miles, explore Omaha Beach’s cliffs and bunkers where 34,000+ U.S. troops landed under heavy fire, now a serene site with the American Cemetery; Utah Beach, where 23,000+ landed with lighter resistance, featuring the museum with a restored B-26 bomber; and Pointe du Hoc, where Rangers scaled 100-ft cliffs to destroy German guns, leaving bomb craters and ruins.
-
Honfleur: 15 miles, a port with half-timbered houses dating to the 16th century, art galleries tied to Monet’s Impressionist circle, and seafood bistros offering oysters and sole meunière along the Vieux Bassin harbor.
-
Étretat Cliffs: 20 miles, dramatic white chalk cliffs with natural arches (e.g., the Manneporte, 70m high), painted by Monet, with hiking trails offering panoramic views and a pebble beach below.
Princess Excursion: "Paris Highlights" (I know some of you are moving on to Paris post cruise, and this one is not recommended for those doing so). Princess also has D-Day tours. Many look to be sold out at this time. Generally some excursions may open up around the final payment due date.
Tours By Locals: I have a favorite guide I work with Igor R. I have contacted Igor R to see about his availability and see if he can take the whole group if you all want to go as he just bought a new bus. The guides with Tours by Locals are well vetted an I have had only a couple of small issues in the 15 years I have been using them. One of the things I like about this company is if you don't see just what you are looking for you an often contact a guide and have them customize a tour for you. Igor is great at that!
As you look at tours keep in mind many guides can adjust their tour to more passengers. A fellow agent recommended Pierre L. and believes he may be able to take a larger group also.
Shore Excursion Group: Normandy D-Day landing sites or Monet's Garden at Giverny.
Tours by Locals IGOR Igor is a favorite guide of mine. This particular excursion is just one example of what he offers. He can customize the tour to you. There are other great tours he offers. If there is something you want to do and don't see it here you can ask him if he can add it to one of the tours he has. Graham O came highly recommended from another agent. He also can customize tours.
Shore Excursions Group link through my web sight You will put the information for your cruise here Princess Cruises - Regal Princess - September 16, 2025 - then go to the port, In this case Le Havre
In Le Havre I recommend D-Day Landing Beaches Discovery from Le Havre. This is a bus tour, each person is $299. This is similar to some of the offers with the ship.
