Harbours

Panoramic photo of Cherbourg-Octeville

Cherbourg – Introduction

Cherbourg is world’s 2nd biggest artificial harbour, a major ferry harbour but a drab and boring city. For many travellers to and from the UK and Ireland it’s a must to pass through. But it does have a few parts that are worth a quick stopover.

View of Dieppe's church taken from the castle

Dieppe – Introduction

Dieppe, a fishing city with a big and intact castle/fortress, one of France’s oldest golf links and a twice daily ferry to Newhaven, UK.

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Dieppe – Tips

Transport Getting There Ferry: from Newhaven, UK, there are 2-3 daily return sailings. Within Dieppe Dieppe is rather small and mostly flat, so no transportation is needed. If you are in the city centre, you can walk up to the castle. If you have come via ferry, there is a shuttle bus that brings you …

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Etretat view from the Southern cliffs

Etretat – Introduction

Etretat is Upper Normandy’s most popular tourist destination, particularly with the Parisians and locals. It is a small town (some 1500 inhabitants), but very picturesque and it has survived World War II almost intact. Its age can not be determined, but it is believed that it was there before the Vikings. Like most coastal towns …

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A view of Fecamp from the cliffs

Fecamp – Introduction

Fecamp is a small city that relied on its long distance fishing fleet. It is all the home of the famous Benedictine liqueur.

The old harbour of Honfleur

Honfleur – Introduction

Honfleur is the 2nd most popular tourist destination in Normandy, and for good reason; Although it has become very touristic, it’s still a pleasant trip for sightseeing and food.

Transat Jacques Vabre sailboat race starting in Le Havre

Le Havre – Events – Transat Jacques Vabre – Trans-Atlantic Yacht Race

Every two years, the epic yacht race from Le Havre to South America is held. Called the Transat Jacques Vabre, the first ever race was held in 1993. The race is also called the “Route du Cafe”, since it joins Le Havre with the historical coffee growing places in South America. The main sponsor of the race, …

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Le Havre from the Jardins Suspendu

Le Havre – Introduction

Le Havre is a city that has been rebuilt completely after WWII with a particular and special style. It’s so unique that it was put on the United Nation UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Container ship being loaded

Le Havre – The Harbour

The harbour of Le Havre is France’s second largest, second after Marseille, and the biggest in France for containers (and Europe’s 5th largest). Every day you can see many big cargo ships arrive or depart from this port. In fact, there are two main harbours; the “historical one” and “Port 2000“. The first one is …

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Le Havre – Tips

Transport Getting there Ferry: From Southampton and Portsmouth direct to Le Havre, or from Newhaven to Dieppe and then the A29 to Le Havre. Click here to read more about the ferry station. Air: There is an airport, but there are no scheduled flights anymore, just charters. Within Le Havre Within Le Havre, there is …

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Paimpol Tourist Office View

Paimpol – Introduction

Paimpol is a rather large town, some 7100 inhabitants, located on the Northern part of Brittany. It’s a pleasant town, and therefore you’ll see many tourists during the summer month, attracted by the harbour, beach and restaurants.

St Malo harbour entrance (photo taken from the sea) and its lighthouse

Saint-Malo – Introduction

St. Malo in Brittany is one of those cities (population around 50,000) that shows very well why France is the #1 tourist destination in the world. It’s a medieval city, well maintained with an enormous walled city, enormous fortress towers, a big harbour, many old and majestic houses and cobblestone streets lined with restaurants. Definitely …

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Trouville-Sur-Mer – Tips

Transport Getting There Train: There is a train link between Paris and the shared railway station of Trouville-sur-Mer and Deauville. There are several daily direct (and ones where you need to change) trains. Fastest time is 2 hours. Ferry: Closest ferry harbours from the UK are Ouistreham (Caen) and Le Havre Air: Deauville has an …

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